Wrinkles, creases, and expression lines are often the first signs that our skin is losing elasticity. Age tends to be the main culprit of loose and sagging skin; however, there are other reasons why your skin may be aging faster than you’d like.
While collagen-stimulating night creams and other in-office treatments may help restore some of your skin’s lost elasticity, determining what’s causing the depletion is crucial. Here are eight common reasons why skin loses elasticity, and what you can do to improve it.
Sun Exposure
While most people love the look of a sun-kissed glow, constant sun exposure can be incredibly damaging. UV radiation for prolonged periods causes your skin to overproduce an abnormal amount of elastin, causing collagen to break down, leading to wrinkles and sagging. UV rays are a significant cause of skin damage and can quickly accelerate your skin’s aging process. In fact, some studies have suggested that exposure to UV rays is responsible for about 80% of the visible signs of aging.
Cigarette Smoking
Smoking severely damages your skin and increases the signs of aging. Research has suggested that by the age of 30, smokers will have a visible increase in lines, wrinkles, and sagging skin. If you’re currently a smoker, rest assured that premature aging can slow down as soon as you quit.
Dehydrated Skin
Our bodies are roughly 60% water, so it shouldn’t be a surprise that one of the leading causes of decreased skin elasticity is dehydration. When your skin is dehydrated, you will start to notice the surface getting flaky, loose, and wrinkled. Keeping your skin hydrated from the inside out by drinking water and moisturizing can help to replenish your body of the hydration it needs to be healthy.
Hormonal Changes
Women going through menopause may start to notice a significant decrease in elastin and collagen. As estrogen levels begin to decrease significantly, your skin’s hydration levels start to suffer.
Poor Dietary Decisions
One of the worst things you can do for your body is to eat a diet high in carbohydrates and sugars. The sugar that floods your system can attach itself to your collagen and elastin, causing glaciation, which causes premature wrinkles and sagging. Maintaining a balanced diet of quality protein, low sugar intake, and incorporating antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables can help give your body the boost it needs.
Weight Loss
Drastic weight loss can lead to your skin, taking a bit longer to catch up and retract. When you lose significant amounts of weight quickly, go through bariatric surgery, or go through a pregnancy, it can lead to the loss of volume in your skin. This refers to the thinning of the fatty layer beneath your skin and stretching of ligaments. In severe situations, surgical or non-surgical procedures may be necessary to restore skin elasticity and tautness.
General Aging
The most common cause of loose skin is aging. As we age, our body naturally produces less collagen and elastin, which both help to keep your skin firm. The impact of regular stretching and contraction from exposure to the elements and lifestyle habits is more permanent as your body ages.
Genetics
Some people are more genetically pre-dispositioned to loose skin than others. While the role genetics can play is unavoidable, paying attention to other contributing factors, such as sun exposure, can reduce the effects.
To learn more about common causes of loose skin and what you can do to correct it, contact Laser Aesthetic Center today to schedule an appointment.