What are Your Best Options in Sagging Skin Treatment?

Heredity, sun exposure, and aging can thin out skin overtime, causing it to sag and making you appear older. Fortunately, nowadays, there is no shortage of sagging skin treatments now available at your disposal. Elastin and collagen give the skin its youthful appearance and shape.

Unfortunately, the production of collagen and elastin is reduced significantly as you age, causing loose and saggy skin. While you cannot reverse the aging process, it is reassuring to know there are sagging skin treatments that you can turn to that can dramatically reduce the jowls.

Treatment Options for Sagging Skin

Below are some of the treatment options for sagging skin:

Thermage

This clinically-proven and FDA-approved treatment utilizes monopolar radiofrequency energy. It works by penetrating the deep layers of the dermis and subcutaneous tissue. It delivers an electrical current that creates heat using the electrical resistance of your skin cells.

The heat will denature the collagen molecules. This results in collagen remodeling and thickening. Thermage can give you tighter looking skin instantly, with very minimal downtime. The result is sleeker, smoother, and younger-looking skin.

Ultherapy

This non-invasive procedure is FDA-cleared and can effectively lift the skin under the chin, on the neck, on the decolletage, and the eyebrow. Ultherapy uses ultrasound technology to stimulate the body’s production of collagen below the surface of the skin. As collagen production increases over time, you will see a smoother and refreshed skin.

Hyaluronic Acid

One of the most popular dermal fillers is hyaluronic acid. This natural agent is distributed widely throughout the body tissues such as the cartilage and the skin. It works by attracting and binding water molecules, giving the skin volume and keeping the skin hydrated.

Some of the popular dermal fillers that contain hyaluronic acid include Juvederm, Perlane, and Restylane. Hyaluronic acid fillers provide a more youthful appearance by filling out the skin folds and the wrinkles and by replacing any lost facial volume. Results are evident in several months to over a year.

Collagen

Collagen is the primary structural protein of the extracellular space in different connective tissues including the skin’s middle layer (below the epidermis) and the dermis. The connective tissue of the dermis will provide elasticity and strength to the skin.

Calcium Hydroxylapatite

Calcium hydroxylapatite is naturally found in the body according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. The mineral-like compound is considered the heaviest of all dermal fillers. Radiesse is one of the calcium hydroxylapatite dermal fillers available in the market today.

Calcium hydroxylapatite works by stimulating the production of the body’s own natural collagen and replenishing the skin’s lost volume. The results can last in a year or more in most patients.

Surgery for Sagging Skin

Surgery is one of the most invasive treatment options for sagging skin. Surgical procedures to treat sagging skin can range from face lifts to body contouring (after weight loss). There’s also blepharoplasty or eyelid surgery for drooping eyelids. While surgery provides a long-term solution, it has a few drawbacks.

Some of the side effects associated with surgery include bleeding, bruising, and swelling. This also means that recovery from surgical procedures will take longer than usual. Other complications of surgery can include the possible development of scar and infections.

Final Thoughts

Sagging skin is considered a part of the aging process. Many external factors contribute to sagging skin. Fortunately, there is no shortage of treatment options to remedy sagging skin including Ultherapy, Thermage, fillers, and surgical intervention.