Our skin is meant to be nourished and pampered. It’s a fragile treasure, exposed to the world, and for that reason, it’s absolutely essential that we learn to protect it.
So much can go wrong. Smoking, eating unhealthy foods, and even moments in the sun can cause the skin to collapse. Outside stimuli make it harder for the body to replenish the essential nutrients that uplift our skin and maintain its elasticity.
These nutrients–including collagen and elastin–can be found beneath the outer epidermis in the dermis below. They’re like tree trunks or support beams holding up a canopy–a forest, so to speak. But when you cut down that forest, and you keep clearing the land, the soil loses its fertility making it difficult for anything to grow. The result is skin laxity.
Skin laxity is sagging skin that has lost its elasticity. It droops, wiggles, and drags our features down, and it is responsible for many of the characteristic signs of aging. This is particularly noticeable on the face, where it forms jowls and droopy eyes. It also compresses the shape of the lips, creating the thin-lipped aesthetic we so often develop as we get older.
Skin laxity can also come on as a result of weight loss, certain medical conditions, and surgery, creating empty patches of loose skin, belly flaps, and what are affectionately known as bat wings.
This process cannot be stopped. It happens to everyone, but it can be slowed down and hindered. Many people maintain healthy elastic skin well into their 60s and 70s. That’s because they take precautions, and they do what they can to provide their skin with love and nourishment.
When it comes to skin laxity, prevention is key. Sun exposure is the main factor you’ll want to protect yourself from. UV rays are highly effective at disrupting collagen production. Too much sun kicks off a process called photoaging. It might take a few years, but if you go out unprotected on a regular basis, you will eventually develop skin laxity.
In order to prevent photoaging and the many complications that can come as a result of it, dermatologists recommend wearing broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher. They’ll even go further and suggest that patients avoid the sun altogether. Stand in the shade, don’t stay out for long periods of time, and wear hats and protective clothing if possible.
When it comes to diet, foods like sugars, refined wheat, and other types of baked goods should be avoided. The same goes for certain types of fat. Smoking can be particularly problematic. It drastically ages the skin.
Sometimes prevention isn’t enough.
Combatting Pre-existing Skin Laxity
There are surgical procedures that can remove loose skin, but they involve long periods of recovery, general anesthesia, and the potential for complications. That’s why many patients prefer to use non-surgical methods. There are plenty available, and they can be just as effective as traditional surgery, if not more so. Let’s take a look at two of the most popular.
Also known as Forma RF Skin Tightening, the Red Carpet Facial is a non-invasive, 30-minute skin tightening procedure that uses RF waves to heat the dermis. This stimulates collagen production and provides immediate results, which progress as more collagen forms. This treatment can also be used on other parts of the body as well, and there’s minimal downtime involved.
Morpheus8 combines both radio-frequency (RF) therapy and microneedling, a type of treatment that uses small needles to create microperforations in the skin. Together they trigger a healing response that tells the body it’s time to create more collagen and elastin. The result is tighter, smoother skin and a clear complexion.
Are you suffering from skin laxity? Do you have patches of loose skin? Would you like to restore your former self and turn back to the clock?
If you answered ‘yes’ to any of the questions above, then you’re going to love what we have to offer.
Welcome to Avenue 1 Aesthetics!
We’re a cutting-edge medical aesthetics practice in Royal Oak, Michigan, centered around providing personalized, attentive care. Book an appointment today, and we’ll work closely with you to develop a treatment plan that fits your individual needs.
