Sagging skin: learn how to prevent and soften sagging

Skin thinning and loss of support, both on the face and on the body… Sagging can be defined, in short, as the lack of skin tonicity.

Juliana Jordão, dermatologist and member of the Brazilian Society of Dermatology, comments that many women identify the arrival of sagging when they feel their skin is softened and notice the appearance of bags on the eyelids, or excess skin around the jaw and neck.

5 ways to treat and soften sagging skin

Below you can see the main guidelines from professionals on what measures you can take to take care of sagging face and body.

1. Creams

Michele Haikal, dermatologist specializing in anti-aging medicine and nutritional sciences associated with physical exercise, comments that, regardless of where sagging occurs, it has to do with the dermis, which is where collagen fibers and elastic fibers are located, and can also have to do, depending on the case, with the musculature.

“The creams are absorbed up to the epidermis, to reach the dermis, something injectable has to be done or you have to have the help of some device that opens the entrance door, for example the co2 laser, or even a microneedling. Unless the cream is a transdermal gel… But in that case the substance will go to the entire body, and it must be prescribed by a doctor, according to the exams of each one, as these are usually hormonal transdermal gels, therefore, they must be prescribed based on the patient’s hormone tests and will act because they will act on the whole organism and even on the dermis and musculature. Really when this part is changed, we have the best effects of all, without comparison with other procedures, because this is treating the cause”, he says.

face and neck

For Juliana, the use of creams is interesting. “Creams with hyaluronic acid keep the skin hydrated. Creams with vitamin C and resveratrol, for example, work as antioxidants, preventing the aging process.” Check out some creams that can be used to soften and fight facial sagging:

“Creams with tightening substances give the skin a less flaccid appearance and promote the well-known ‘Cinderella effect’, ideal for parties, for example. Rafermine, argireline and tensine are the best known”, adds the dermatologist.

Body

Roberta Bibas, dermatologist specializing in aesthetic dermatology, graduate and master at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), comments that topical use sagging assets are, in general: Dmae, Tensine, Raffermine. “There’s no difference if it’s for the butt or the arm or the face,” she says. In the gallery below are some examples of anti-sagging creams to be used in different regions of the body.

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As each case is unique, the ideal is to talk to your dermatologist about the use of creams associated or not with other treatments for sagging skin.

2. Aesthetic procedures

Currently, several aesthetic procedures are indicated to soften and treat sagging skin, and also muscle, in different parts of the body and face. Below, professionals talk about 13 procedures they consider the best:

1. Radiofrequency: Juliana points out that, for young women or those who do not want invasive procedures, radiofrequency is a device that brings good results. “These are, in general, fortnightly sessions, which can be done in any region of the face or body, and which stimulate collagen production. In addition, they also promote the ‘Cinderella effect’ on the eve of parties”.

This is a technique that works with the generation of heat in the subcutaneous tissue, inducing the production of new collagen fibers and thus improving the appearance of the skin. Among the most common indications for radiofrequency are: improvement of skin sagging, reduction of wrinkles, etc.

Graziele comments that, in cases of facial and breast sagging, tissue (skin) sagging is more evident. “Treatments such as radiofrequency have shown great results due to the stimulation of collagen and elastic fiber production, improving skin tone”, adds the physical therapist.

2. Filling with hyaluronic acid: Juliana explains that, for patients who present with the appearance of furrows and loss of volume on the face – very common when there is weight loss –, the application of a filling with hyaluronic acid by a dermatologist is suggested. “The effect is quite natural and the improvement is visible. In addition, the duration is quite satisfactory.”

3. Application of L-polylactic acid: Juliana says that for patients who experience softening of the skin and the appearance of wrinkles in the cheek area, the application of L-polylactic acid is a great option. “It stimulates collagen and thickens the skin again. It is ideal for thin faces with sagging,” she says.

Michele points out that the injection of polylactic acid is widely used in the face and neck region with excellent results.

4. L-polylactic acid thread: in addition to the injectable form, there are L-polylactic acid threads, which are applied through small needles to support flaccid areas, “lifting” the skin. Can only be used on the face.

The dermatologist Juliana also highlights that the latest innovations in facial sagging treatment are the L-polylactic acid thread and microfocused ultrasound equipment. “The threads perform traction on the skin that has suffered a fall and stimulates the production of collagen over the months. Also ideal for initial sagging and thinner faces.”

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“Facial support threads opened a new paradigm within this subject and are undoubtedly one of the best techniques used today to overcome sagging skin”, comments Michele.

5. Microfocused ultrasound: Juliana highlights that microfocused ultrasound is among the latest innovations in facial sagging treatment. “Ultrasound is a treatment used in several regions with good results for mild to moderate sagging. The downside is the pain and the high cost,” she explains.

6. Chemical peeling: according to Juliana, another method that can be used to act against sagging skin is chemical peeling, which removes damaged tissue, improving skin texture.

7. Aussie current: in cases of muscle flaccidity, highlights Graziele, the Aussie current combined with physical activity is recommended to strengthen the muscles, increasing muscle mass, and can be applied to the buttocks, thighs, arms and abdomen.

Fernanda Carvalhal, manager of the Hollywood RJ aesthetic clinic, also indicates the use of the Aussie Current. “At Aesthetics Hollywood, we treat sagging, both body and face, with a revolutionary technology, radiofrequency, which stimulates the production of collagen and elastin, associated with the Aussie Current, which is an electrical stimulus used to produce muscle contraction in the place where is applied, thus improving local circulation, stimulating lymphatic flow and improving cellulite”, he says.

8. Russian Current: also indicated in the case of muscle flaccidity, according to Graziele. It must be combined with physical activity to strengthen the muscles and can be applied to the buttocks, thighs, arms and abdomen.

9. Ulthera: according to Roberta, the device provides an instant facelift effect similar to plastic surgery. “And the best: no cuts, pain or discomfort. It improves the facial contour, it is non-invasive and the results are already visible after the first session”, she says.

Dermatologist Roberta explains that the technology used is fractional ultrasound, which acts on the deeper layers of the dermis and facial muscles. “The device contracts the elastic fibers of the skin and stimulates the production of collagen by the body, causing a lasting rejuvenating effect. Better than other radiofrequency devices, as it manages to contract the muscle fascia, a thin muscle that involves the face and neck. In addition, the device contracts the collagen and elastic fibers of the superficial and deep dermis. Radio frequencies only make the contraction of the dermis fibers and not the muscle. And it is on this muscle that plastic surgeons act,” she says.

Also according to Roberta, Ulthera is not recommended for pregnant women and people with skin diseases at the application site, so it should be done under the supervision of a dermatologist. The device is approved by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) and by Anvisa (National Health Surveillance Agency).

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Ulthera can be used both to treat / soften facial and body sagging.

10. Thermacool: according to Roberta, its action is through radiofrequency. “The advantage of the treatment is that it is efficient in emitting pulses (heat waves) that penetrate the dermis, the deepest layer of the skin. The treatment stimulates the contraction of collagen fibers, which support the skin and form new fibers”.

Thermacool can be used to treat/reduce sagging in the face and neck, legs, belly and buttocks.

11. Freeze: based on technology that combines magnetic pulses with bipolar radiofrequency, the device alleviates the effects of skin aging; treats body and facial flaccidity and helps to lose measurements, according to Roberta.

“The result is a greater contraction in collagen fibers, improving the flaccidity existing in the face, neck, arms, abdomen and legs”, highlights dermatologist Roberta.

12. CO2 laser: according to Michele, it is one of the best and most suitable for the facial region. “It must be done, when for this purpose of treating sagging, in order to stimulate the dermis, so it is no use doing it too superficially to treat sagging, it must be done deeper… The results are usually very appreciated”, highlights the dermatologist.

13. Massages: for Graziele, aesthetic massages associated with cosmetics based on DMAE, vitamin E and moisturizers are also indicated, with the aim of improving the nutrition of the skin tissue. “These techniques can be applied both to the face and breasts, as well as to other body areas such as buttocks, thighs, abdomen and arms,” she says.

However, according to dermatologist Roberta, massages are not the best option for sagging specifically. “This is because there is no stimulation of collagen with massage. It can be effective in improving the appearance of swelling, cellulite,” she says.

As you can see: there are several super modern treatment options to treat/smooth sagging, both facial and body. It is difficult to simply say which is more or less effective, as each case has an indication, which can only be defined by the professional through a physical examination of the patient.