One of the most dreaded signs of aging is the sagging skin that creeps into our appearance. It can strike anywhere on the body and can cause a loss of confidence and create areas of self-consciousness that weren’t there before. If you’re noticing areas on your face and body that aren’t as firm and tight as they used to be, call the skincare experts at Paradise Med Spas of Texas in Lubbock, TX to discuss your skin tightening options.
Why Does Skin Sag?
There are a few reasons our skin can lose its firmness and elasticity. The most obvious is age and the changes in the foundation of our skin that come with it.
Age
As we age, we lose the production of our most abundant protein, collagen. Collagen is considered the building block for our skin cells and holds them all together. When we’re young adults, we start to produce less of this protein, and our production declines every year by about 1%. When we lose collagen, the foundation of our skin becomes rough, with small dips or creases. Our surface skin falls into these areas creating lines and wrinkles.
Our skin loses the firm grip it once had on its foundation, so pulled by gravity, it starts to fall downward. This will give us a saggy neck, jowls, and droopy eyebrows, often making us look older than we are and much older than we feel.
Weight Loss
It’s wonderful to lose weight, especially if it’s been a long-time struggle you’ve finally conquered. You may find that some areas of your skin didn’t bounce back the way you’d hoped, though. When our skin is stretched beyond the point of being able to snap back, we can develop stretch marks and areas of sagging skin.
Pregnancy
Even gaining weight during pregnancy can leave you with areas of loose skin that weren’t there before. While many women can get back to their goal weight, they may be plagued with a less than firm skin surface.
Sun Damage
Your mother was onto something when she told you to always wear sunscreen when you leave the house. Sun exposure breaks down collagen much faster than aging alone. The areas that have been constantly exposed to the sun can develop wrinkles and laxity as early as your 30s. Sunscreen is the single best investment you can make in preventative skincare.
Laser Skin Tightening
Luckily, you don’t have to live with sagging skin anymore. There are innovative ways your skincare specialist can address your skin laxity. A consultation is all it takes to decide on a perfect course of treatment for your concerns. There are two major categories of laser skin treatments.
Ultrasound
Using ultrasound energy is extremely effective in helping clients who want a significant lift. Ultrasound energy bypasses the outer layers of the skin, leaving them unharmed, and can penetrate to deeper layers than any other modality. The energy turns to heat when it reaches the precise location to which it was directed. This creates collagen production deep under the skin which tightens and firms your appearance from the inside out.
What to Expect
Your doctor will use ultrasound imaging to find the exact tissue to target that will get the best results. Those areas will be heated to give you the precise lift you’re looking for. The best part? There is no downtime. After 45-90 minutes, depending on the area being treated, you can go back to work and your other normal routines immediately.
Results
You might see a small lift shortly after your session, but you’ll need to patient. The real results come about three months later. Your collagen is rebuilding the layers of your skin the entire time, smoothing each layer as it goes. Once those regenerated cells reach the surface, they’re tight and smooth.
Radiofrequency
This is a great treatment for clients who need mild-to-moderate skin tightening. The radiofrequency targets shallower depths than ultrasound but gets the same results. The RF turns to heat once it safely bypasses the outer layer of the skin. Because this is done on a more superficial level, you’ll see results sooner than you would with deeper skin tightening treatments.
What to Expect
You’ll feel the sensation of a hot stone massage as a handheld device is passed over your skin. After about an hour, you’re free to go right back to your life with no downtime.
Results
You’ll see incremental results every 7-10 days as new collagen forces new cell turnover. It’s recommended you get repeat treatments about that often until you’ve reached the level of result you’re looking for.
Is Skin Tightening Right for You?
If you’re experiencing sagging skin anywhere on your body and are ready to do something about it, chances are you’re a good candidate. You and your skincare specialist can talk through which treatment is right for you and your areas of concern. This treatment doesn’t just benefit the face. It can be used on other body parts:
- Abdomen
- Arms
- Neck
- Chest
- Thighs
- Buttocks
- Back
Only you and your skincare specialist can decide if this is right for you. Each person and their areas of concern are different, so an individualized treatment plan will be created to maximize your results.
Call for an Appointment
You don’t have to live with sagging skin and the unwanted feelings that come with it. Call Paradise Med Spas of Texas in Lubbock, TX to schedule your consultation. We want to partner with you to help you achieve all your aesthetic goals so you look and feel your best.
