Are There Any Ways To Tighten Loose Skin On The Face?
For decades, the best option for improving sagging skin on the center and lower areas of the face has been facelift surgery. Chicago’s Whole Beauty® Institute team explains that the structure of the face goes through many changes as you age—not just in the skin itself, but also the fat, soft tissue, muscle, and bone.
There are some things that are great about getting older (such as more wisdom, experience, and accomplishments), but there are also unwanted changes that occur on the face (such as a loss of volume and deflation of facial fat, loose sagging skin, wrinkles, and deep skin folds that form as fat shifts downward). Smoking, major weight loss or gain, too much junk food in the diet, stress, and sun damage can also contribute to loss of elasticity in the skin.
We all want a gracefully aging face—and thankfully there are ways to delay the effects of aging, with or without cosmetic surgery.
Improve Skin Elasticity
Elastin, like collagen, is a protein your body produces naturally. Its primary function is to provide firmness and elasticity in the skin, helping it to stretch and snap back to its previous shape after it’s pulled out of position—similar to a rubber band. Unfortunately, our body produces less of this substance as we age. To replenish elastin levels, you can start using topical products like retinoids, which are some of the best firming creams. Include plenty of antioxidants in your skin care routine to maintain strong skin.
Protect Your Eyes
The delicate skin around your eyes is very susceptible to sagging, wrinkles, and puffiness as time goes by, often showing some of the earliest signs of aging. Do what you can to preserve firm, smooth skin by applying eye creams and retinoids, wearing sun protective sunglasses and hats, and applying sunscreen all over this area.
Moisturize and Nourish
Moisturizers and lotions not only stave off dryness (which always makes your skin quality look worse), but also play a role in safeguarding your skin against free radical damage. Your skin needs an adequate amount of moisture to repair itself. Try adding creams that contain hyaluronic acid to your routine because it can hold onto large amounts of water. Cholesterol, ceramides, essential fatty acids, and niacinamide are other great ingredients for boosting the moisture barrier of your skin. Drink plenty of water to keep yourself hydrated and boost your mood.
Avoid Sun Exposure
Too much sun exposure is one of the worst things for the collagen and elastin fibers in your skin. Protecting your skin from sun damage is one of the proactive measures you can take to preserve firm skin. Apply broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 to your face each day, take shelter, avoid exposure during the peak hours of the sun’s intensity, and wear hats with a wide brim to protect your face.
Massage Your Skin
Facial massages have become an increasingly popular skin care technique in recent years because of their anti-aging results. They have many benefits, including boosting blood circulation in the skin, stimulating the lymphatic system, improving skin tone, reducing muscle tension, and providing a temporary lifting effect. Additionally, massages help to relieve stress, which can also be beneficial for the skin. Although they won’t drastically improve skin tightness, massages may improve the firmness of your face slightly and the overall appearance of your skin.
Stress Reduction
Many of us live a fast-paced existence with considerable stress. We are learning that stress causes premature aging and shortens a healthy life span. Aging facial skin is one manifestation of stress. Although external stress is part of life, the way we choose to respond to stress will determine whether we are resilient or damaged. Your skin and the rest of your body will thank you if you focus on stress reduction.
For more advice about skin care and facial cosmetic procedures, contact Chicago-based plastic surgeon John Q. Cook and the Whole Beauty® Institute. Call 312-751-2112 (Chicago Gold Coast Office), 847-446-7562 (North Shore (Winnetka) Office), or submit a contact form to schedule a consultation.