Why does our skin begin to sag?
Our skin is made up of many different layers, to help protect your skin from the environment and various other issues. The hypodermis is the fatty layer underneath your skin that provides your skin with all of elastin and collagen, it should need to have the ability to snap back into place. If this layer is damaged, it’s possible that your skin can begin to sag.
Dr Anjali Mahto, consultant dermatologist at the The Cranley Clinic, explains: ‘There are a number of reasons our skin starts to sag. Firstly, there is a reduction in the levels of collagen and elastin, which provide the skin’s structural support. This occurs due to factors such as exposure to UV rays. UV light slows down deposition of new collagen as well as activating the enzymes which break down existing collagen, causing the elasticity and volume in our skin to lessen as we age. Secondly, there is a loss of facial fat, the absence of which causes the face to droop. Lastly, there is reabsorption or loss of bone of the face over time and the skin can no longer tighten around it resulting in sag.’
How to firm your skin?
In order to protect your skin from sagging, there are many things that you can do. ‘Always wear an SPF, ideally of at least factor 30, to protect against UV rays’ advises Dr Mahto. ‘Ultraviolet is a key culprit in ageing skin and one of the primary reasons skin loses its elasticity.’ Protecting your skin from the sun is incredibly helpful to act against many different issues that your skin might come across, which can also be helped by including antioxidants. They work towards protecting your skin from free radicals and the environment. ‘Secondly, invest in antioxidant serums (e.g. vitamin C, vitamin E, ferulic acid, resveratrol) that can limit free radical damage caused by UV light but also improve sunscreen action.’ says Dr Mahto.
Vitamin A has been known to be helpful to protect your skin from sagging. It’s also known as Retinol which helps to improve the shape of elastin under your skin. As well as helping your skin to shed, leaving it more even. ‘Thirdly, use a night-time retinoid product. Retinoids have been shown in trials to improve collagen production and reduce pigmentation over time.’ says Dr Mahto. It’s recommended that Retinol containing products should be used at night as it can also make your skin more susceptible to sunlight.
Exfoliants such as Salicylic Acid (BHAs) or Glycolic Acid (AHAs) have been known to help build collagen under your skin. They have the ability to break down the bonds between dead skin cells and healthy ones, which work to give your skin a more even complexion. In doing this the action of exfoliating your skin can help promote the movement of blood under your skin and prevent the elastin and collagen under the skin from deteriorating quickly.
To help firm your skin, you can use the following of our products:
