Sagging Skin

I decided to focus in on skin that has lost its elasticity….you know, sagging, creping or skin that is just hanging. The reason for this is that I looked in the mirror this morning, and not only did I not see me, I saw my Dad looking back at me. Mind you, I’m a woman. I was mortified. I feared one day I would look like my Mother. She was beautiful, but older. But I saw my Dad, jowls and all. That’s right…..jowls. How could this be. It is now time to take action. It sure is hard to keep up with what time has done to us, but if we can just take a few extra steps every day, we can see noticeable improvement in our efforts.

As we age, saggy skin becomes more and more of a problem. The skin on our face begins to loose elasticity as we age and facial muscles are no longer able to hold facial skin in place. This results in the development of lines, wrinkles, and eventually deep folds. Often times the process begins with delicate lines such as expression lines, brow lines, and mild crow’s feet and later develops into more unsightly sagging in the entire face.
In the past, the only way to deal with or reverse this effect has been with expensive cosmetic surgery, painful toxin injections, and harsh chemical peels. Each of these comes with a long list of potentially serious side effects. Add to that a price tag that is prohibitive for the vast majority of the population and it is easy to see why so many people look to alternative treatments for dealing with saggy skin.

Preventing Saggy Skin

The best way to deal with saggy skin is to ensure that you take a proactive approach to skin care and follow a few simple steps to help prevent the early onset of facial sagging. Here are some tips to help keep your skin firm:

1. It is important for adults to drink at least 8 full glasses of water a day. Water is your skins natural cleansing system. Water constantly works to flush away toxins and waste products to keep your skin soft and healthy. I know you hear this all the time, but just try it for a couple of days and see if you notice the difference. I know I have.

2. Sun damage is one of the leading causes of premature saggy skin and facial wrinkles. Always apply a sunscreen with an SPF rating of at least 15 if you plan on being outdoors for more than 30 minutes. Your sunscreen is one of your most powerful weapons against saggy skin and aging spots. I know I preach this all the time. I have actually started taking my own advice and have been wearing sunscreen everyday for about 6 months. Like I mentioned in an earlier newsletter, I keep it in my glove compartment and put it on while sitting at a red light. Please don’t apply sunscreen while you are driving by using your knee to steer the wheel.

3. Avoid smoking at all costs. If you are currently a smoker, do whatever it takes to quit – permanently. Smoking actively increases the signs of aging and can increase your risk of developing sagging skin significantly. I know this can be the hardest thing in the world to do. If you can’t quit, please, try to cut back. We want you to be around for a long time.

4. Never go to bed with make up on. This will lead to increased stress on your skin and can cause pores to clog and become infected. Be sure to wash your entire face daily with a gentle cleanser. The key here is not to rub, scrape, or be overly abrasive in the process. As with most things in life, moderation is the key to achieving favorable long term results.

What can be done about existing lines, wrinkles, and sagging skin? Traditionally the only solutions available have been painful and expensive cosmetic surgeries, toxin injections, and harsh chemical peels. Each of which has a long list of potentially dangerous side effects. Recent scientific breakthroughs have allowed for the development of more gentle cosmetic products that can reduce saggy skin as well as facial lines and wrinkles without the risks involved with other more traditional procedures. A word of caution, there are some products that produce outstanding results and have independent clinical studies to back up their claims while the market remains flooded with copycat products that deliver nothing more than a hit to your bank account.

We all know that saggy skin can be problematic and sometimes even downright scary. By following the tips listed above and carefully selecting your skin care products, you'll be one step ahead in the battle against sagging skin. Keep your skin looking young and healthy by taking a proactive approach dealing with skin care. We all get old but we don't have to look that way!