Product-Free Ways To Keep Your Skin Tight
As you reach a certain age, you'll find the skin on your face, neck, or other body parts turning saggy, resulting in fine lines and wrinkles. According to Sculpt MD, various factors cause an excess of loose skin. Aging is the most prevalent cause of droopy skin because it leads the body to create less collagen and elastin — the proteins required for skin firmness and elasticity. A major weight loss also causes a loss of volume in your skin, making it appear sagging as it tries to catch up with the new body size. Further, sun damage can compromise the collagen and elastin in your skin and cause premature aging. While sagging skin is a common condition, it can cause aesthetic concerns and affect your confidence. And that's why people seek the aid of technologies and topical treatments to keep their skin tight and youthful for as long as possible.
Microcoring, hydroxyapatite fillers, and energy-based devices such as lasers are some of the most popular non-surgical technologies for skin tightening, according to an article in the journal Current Otorhinolaryngology Reports. Products containing hyaluronic acid, retinoids, and vitamin C are also go-to topical treatments for bouncier skin. For those who prefer taking an organic route to slow down the aging process, there are product-free alternatives to help tighten and rejuvenate the skin from the inside. Below, check out expert-approved lifestyle practices and diet recommendations for plump and healthy skin.
Consume more avocado
High in unsaturated fat and bursting with a creamy taste, avocados make an indulgent addition to healthy smoothies and desserts. Aside from satisfying your appetite, avocados can do wonders for your skin. Consumption of avocados improved skin suppleness, according to a study conducted by UCLA Health. In the study, 39 women between 27 and 73 with the same skin type were divided into two groups: the first was to eat one avocado daily for eight weeks, while the control group had a regular diet. Results showed that those who consumed avocados daily reported more skin elasticity and firmness improvement than the control group. "This study showed more accurately that if you want your skin to be young and vibrant, then the best approach is not just topicals, but improving your whole diet," comments Dr. Zhaoping Li, a faculty member at UCLA.
Aside from consuming avocados as food or beverages, you can use the fruit as a DIY facial mask. According to Sio Beauty, avocados contain a number of skin-tightening ingredients, such as folate, thiamine, niacin, and riboflavin, which are effective in warding off free radicals and shielding the skin from damage. Every once in a while, mix mashed avocado with honey or egg whites and apply the mixture to your face to hydrate your skin and improve its texture.
Cut back on your sugar intake
Sugar is the favorite food of the bacteria that cause acne, which is why dermatologists advise against excessive sugar intake among clear-skinned and acne-prone people. Unbeknownst to many, sugar can also cause your skin to sag and droop before its time. Collagen and elastin fibers, which are responsible for the plumpness of your skin, are weakened and broken down by unused sugar in your bloodstream, per Florida Dermatology. As a result, your skin may get dry, saggy, and wrinkled. Echoing this sentiment, Dr. Andrew Weil advises capping sugar intake to 10% of your daily calories to keep your skin firm and supple.
If you have a sweet tooth, you might as well cut back on your consumption of high-glycemic (GI) food and opt for low- to medium-GI alternatives. Some tasty options include strawberries, blackberries, Greek yogurt and berries, air-popped popcorn, baked sweet potatoes, cottage cheese, and lentils.
Give yourself a daily facial massage
A daily facial massage might just be what the doctor ordered for supple skin and improvement in the appearance of wrinkles. Five participants in a 2022 experiment that was later published in the journal Skin Research & Technology reported experiencing elevated cheeks and tighter skin after massaging their cheeks for two weeks. This was discovered through the use of CT technology. In a more detailed analysis, a 2017 study that employed skin samples in a lab environment and was published in PLOS One discovered that facial massage boosted the production of the proteins decorin, fibrillin, tropoelastin, and procollagen-1 in the skin, which are the elements that lend the skin its elasticity and resilience.
A facial massage is a simple procedure, requiring only a non-comedogenic facial oil or lotion of your choice and your hands. Alternative methods include vibrating massagers, guasha instruments, or jade rollers. For a basic massage, start with broad circular strokes along the sides of your neck to move the lymph fluid along and reduce muscle soreness. Next, slowly massage the sides of your jaws and move up to your cheeks, brow lines, and forehead. Keep the massaging going for about two to five minutes until all your facial muscles are relaxed and your complexion has a nice glow from the blood circulation.
Stop smoking
Nicotine is not only bad for your lungs but also detrimental to your skin. According to Derma Essentia, smoking reduces omega-6 fatty acids required for skin moisturization and the upkeep of skin ceramides. Nicotine in cigarettes also deforms the structure of fibroblasts, a type of skin cell that makes collagen and is critical for facilitating wound healing and maintaining the tightness of the skin.
Tobacco byproducts in your body "degrades the building blocks of the skin" and pave the way for loosening skin and wrinkles, says dermatologist Jonette Keri (via WebMD). To keep your skin tight and healthy as you age, refrain from smoking or lingering in secondhand tobacco smoke. If you stop smoking, you'll notice improvements in your skin between one and three months. There will be much more blood flow to your skin, and your skin cell turnover will increase, reducing the appearance of wrinkles and dullness. As your skin gets more oxygen flow thanks to the absence of nicotine, your complexion will become more even and glowing.
Steer clear of stress
According to The American Institute of Stress, continued or an excess of physical, emotional, or psychological strain can cause changes to skin proteins and lower its elasticity, causing the skin to sag and eye bags to form. If your stress deprives you of quality sleep, you're also at risk of premature aging, characterized by the formation of wrinkles, increased pigmentation, dull complexion, and loss of firmness in the skin, per a 2014 report in the Inflammation & Allergy Drug Targets. Additionally, stress can cause your inflammatory response to overreact and kick your immune system into overdrive, exacerbating the symptoms of acne, eczema, hives, and rosacea. Most dermatologists ask their patients who suffer from acne breakouts if they have undergone stressful situations or had trouble sleeping because stress is a common culprit in poor skin health.
Therefore, to prevent your skin from sagging before its time or successfully manage your skin conditions put a premium on revving up your mental health. Different ways to manage your stress level include taking up a sport, practicing mindful eating, playing with your pet, and engaging in social activities that enrich you emotionally. Another approach to addressing your stress issue is to speak to a therapist or explore integrative treatments such as acupuncture or cognitive behavioral therapy.