Infallible tips to fight sagging arms once and for all

It bothers many women and seems extremely difficult to eliminate… Sometimes it even limits some day-to-day movements, for example, the simple act of “waving goodbye” to someone.

Flaccidity in the arms is a very common complaint in dermatology clinics, according to dermatologist Eidi Motta Cardoso, from Dermacentro.

The tendency to sagging skin is genetically determined. “While some women are born with firm, consistent skin; others find it extremely easy to develop flaccidity in different parts of the body. Certainly, the latter will present sagging in the area of ​​the arms at a younger age and more intensely. This can occur due to the loss of collagen and skin density in the region – what we call sagging skin; and due to the loss of muscle tone in the region, which generates a picture of muscle flaccidity”, highlights the dermatologist.

Eidi explains that sagging skin happens as a result of the normal aging process, often aggravated by excessive exposure to the sun or due to cigarette use, stress, errors in eating habits, weight fluctuation, among other causes. “Muscle flaccidity, on the other hand, occurs solely due to lack of physical exercise,” he says.

The doctor points out that, in the same patient, it is often possible to find these two types of flaccidity associated, which gives the woman the appearance of “aged arms”. “This ends up making her shy even to wave, afraid to show the ‘bye muscle’, and to wear short-sleeved clothes, which limits her quality of life”, she explains.

At what age is arm sagging more common?

Eidi explains that there is no exact age, but often women over the age of forty are more susceptible to this type of problem. “Because, at this stage, with the decrease in hormones, there is an acceleration in the collagen weakening process, which results in the worsening of the sagging skin”, she says.

In addition, adds the doctor, some women reduce or stop their sports activities at this stage, which also contributes to the general worsening of the condition.

6 habits that contribute to a young and healthy body

Dermatologist Eidi cites useful measures to keep the body young and healthy, in general:

1. Eat properly, observing your protein intake daily;
2. Regularly practice physical activities;
3. Avoid overexposure to the sun;
4. Control weight;
5. Avoid smoking;
6. Avoid excessive stress.

Within this context, it can also be said that combining a healthy diet with the practice of physical activities and counting on the help of modern treatments is the ideal formula to combat flaccidity in the arms.

Food to fight flaccidity in the arms

Daniela de Almeida, functional and sports nutritionist, emphasizes that there are no “specific foods for arms”, but rather to avoid sagging in general.

The nutritionist highlights that, to improve sagging and have a more beautiful skin, the person should include in their diet:

• Fruits (especially those rich in vitamin C, which help regulate collagen production in the body);
• vegetables;
• Lean red meats;
• Chicken fillet;
• Turkey breast (other than smoked);
• Fish;
• Eggs;
• Lean cheeses;
• yogurts;
• Sweet potato;
• Oatmeal (which is rich in silicon, a building mineral essential for collagen synthesis and skin firmness);
• Legumes (such as chickpeas, beans, lentils and peas, as legumes are rich in minerals such as magnesium, which help the synthesis of collagen, essential for skin elasticity);
• Oilseeds (they are important because they contain monounsaturated fats, which help keep the skin elastic);
• Seafood (which are rich in copper, an excellent ally in the constitution of collagen).

Daniela also highlights that the person cannot forget to drink plenty of water and avoid the consumption of soft drinks, alcohol, tobacco, fast foods, salt and sweets.

“There are also several aesthetic treatments that help with sagging, which specifically treat sagging arms, in addition to physical exercises. But it is necessary to always combine them with a balanced diet, and count on the help of suitable professionals”, adds the functional and sports nutritionist.

Exercises to combat sagging arms

Physical trainer Felipe Roberto Zumchiatti comments that flaccidity in the arms may be related to the accumulation of fat which, in women, tends to accumulate in different places than in men.

“If we talk about the gym, we have to focus more on exercises with lower loads and with a greater number of repetitions (between 12-15 repetitions)”, emphasizes Felipe Zumchiatti.

Also according to the physical trainer, the exercises that can help in this regard are those aimed at the triceps (back of the arm) and biceps. “But with a better targeting for the first”, he comments.

“It is important to emphasize that flaccidity is directly linked to the accumulation of fat, so the main measure is the increase in aerobic exercises! Weight training or counter-resistance exercises only serve to increase muscle tone. None of this will help if the muscle is covered by a ‘cover’ of fat”, emphasizes Felipe Zumchiatti.

Below, the physical trainer cites two examples of exercises:

First exercise: standing, extend one arm above your head; with the other, hold your elbow so the outstretched arm doesn’t move. Use some overhead (weights, bags of sugar, soda cans), extend and bend your elbows, doing 12-15 reps.

Second exercise: lying on your back, extend both arms together and stretched in front of your face; place your hands in line with your shoulders. Consistently, use some equal overload on each hand or the same overload with both hands. Flex and straighten your elbows bringing your hands close to your forehead. Repeat this 12-15 times.

Treatments to combat sagging arms

Currently, there is an immense arsenal of procedures to help fight flaccidity in the arms. “These methods, especially when combined, have excellent results in different cases of flaccidity in the arms”, says dermatologist Eidi.

“The ideal combination of treatments varies for each patient and must be determined by the treating physician”, adds the professional.

Beautician and cosmetologist Liandra Mezzomo, from Salão Esmell Leblon, highlights that, in her opinion, the radiofrequency device is the best to combat sagging arms. “The heated fibers contract, retracting the skin, giving it a more firming appearance,” she says.

Also according to the beautician, radiofrequency acts a lot on those who had a child, went on a diet and/or plastic surgery, where they had fibrosis. “It is contraindicated for pregnant women, people with metallic prostheses, pacemakers, cancer, arthritis and those under 18 years of age”, she highlights.

Below, dermatologist Eidi talks about the treatments she considers the most effective for treating sagging arms:

1. Non-ablative radiofrequency: Accent Ultra®

According to doctor Eidi, this is one of the most effective methods for sagging skin. “It promotes controlled volumetric heating of the skin, raising the surface temperature to 40ºC, while at depth the temperature reaches 60ºC. This heating transforms electromagnetic energy into heat, promoting collagen reorganization, improving skin circulation, stimulating the lymphatic system, stimulating collagen neoformation, improving skin tone,” she explains.

The results, according to Eidi, occur between two and four weeks – time when the production of new collagen in the skin peaks.

Sessions are weekly and can be held at any time of the year. “The number of sessions varies according to each case, but, generally, 8 to 12 sessions are needed, repeated fortnightly, to obtain an ideal result”, explains the dermatologist.

2. Micro Focused Ultrasound: DOUBLO®

According to Eidi, this is the most modern method used for sagging skin. “It is a Micro Focused Ultrasound with Fractionated HIFU (High-Intensity-Focused-Ultrasound) technology that precisely heats the deeper layers of the skin, providing collagen formation, muscle contraction and, finally, excellent results in the treatment of flaccidity”, he says.

The results appear in just one session, emphasizes the doctor.

3. Infrared Laser: Harmony XL, Laser NIR®

Eidi highlights that this is an excellent method for immediate improvement of skin flaccidity. “It uses an infrared light source to heat the skin and causes immediate collagen contraction, reducing the appearance of sagging in the first session, which is called the ‘Cinderella effect’. But, it takes 6 to 10 sessions with monthly intervals for there to be a definitive decrease in the sagging of the arms”, he explains.

4. Fractional Laser Resurfacing: Pixel CO2®

“Excellent method to promote the improvement of the entire surface of the skin, which promotes the appearance of a revitalized skin, with a decrease in sagging”, says Eidi.

The new skin, according to the doctor, will look firmer and more elastic, clearer, with a smoother texture and with a significant decrease in cellulite and sagging.

“The number of sessions varies according to each case, and the smoother the application, the less effective the result will be, but generally, 1 to 3 monthly sessions are needed to obtain an ideal result”, adds the dermatologist. .

5. Intradermotherapy for sagging

This is a method for treating sagging skin through the application of microinjections in the sagging region, with the aim of promoting collagen stimulation, improving skin circulation, revitalizing it.

“The number of sessions varies according to each case, but generally, 10 to 20 sessions are needed”, explains the dermatologist.

Eidi adds that as the treatment involves stinging, ecchymosis (blood infiltration into the body’s tissue) may form, and it may be necessary to stay out of the sun during treatment.

6. Carboxytherapy

According to Eidi, it is a traditional method for treating sagging skin through the application of carbon dioxide gas (CO2). “Such application on the arms aims to stimulate the metabolism and circulation of the skin, improving collagen production, reducing sagging”, he says.

Ecchymosis may form, the doctor points out, and it may be necessary to stay out of the sun during treatment.

“The number of sessions varies according to each case, but generally, 10 to 20 sessions are needed, which should be weekly”, adds the dermatologist.

7. Russian Current Electrostimulation: Phydias®

This is a method for treating sagging muscle, according to Eidi. “It uses electrical currents to stimulate muscle groups in the arm region, favoring an increase in their tonus – a gain that can be…