Loose, creepy skin, or skin laxity, is a change that occurs as a part of the natural aging process. Besides aging, there are other factors that can play a part in skin laxity, such as intrinsic and extrinsic factors, genetics, diet, lifestyle, sun exposure, stress, and smoking. While following a healthy diet and workout regimen is important for your overall health, they are not enough to target laxity in the skin. There are two vital components to the skin’s structure that will affect laxity: collagen and elastin. Loss of collagen and elastin as we age, causes us to lose elasticity, resulting in loose or sagging skin.
Collagen is the main structural protein found in the skin and other connective tissues throughout the body. Think of collagen as the “building blocks” of the skin.
Elastin is a protein that coils and recoils like a spring within the elastic fibers of connective tissue, accounting for the elasticity of the skin and other structures of the body.
Collagen and elastin are found in the deeper layer of the skin called the dermis, which is located right above the fatty layer which lies beneath the skin.
Outside factors (extrinsic) are responsible for the destruction of these two key components in the skin. The aging process can be rushed by the things we are doing in our day to day lives, affecting the appearance and health of our skin.
Extrinsic aging occurs from environmental factors including free radicals, toxins, pollutants, and UV rays. In our day to day lives, we are exposed to high levels of free radicals which damage the skin and body. Antioxidants are key to preventing free radical damage so incorporating them into your diet and skin care regimen is essential. An antioxidant is a substance that inhibits. A few key antioxidants are vitamin E, vitamin C, vitamin A (retinol) and green tea. Incorporating these antioxidants into your diet and skin care regimen is a great way to reduce the visible signs of aging. Along with diet and lifestyle, protecting your skin from UV rays is a must. Sun exposure accounts for about 85% of skin aging so wearing a sunscreen with a SPF of 30 or higher needs to be a part of your daily routine. Extrinsic aging causes excessive loss of collagen and elastin, the appearance of freckles and sunspots, formation of precancerous lesions as well as skin cancer. The appearance of dryness, roughness, fine lines, wrinkles, and uneven skin tone are also factors of extrinsic aging. The best thing you can do for your skin is protect your skin from the sun every single day!
Intrinsic factors occur internally in our bodies and these factors are often out of our control. Genetics play a large role in how our skin and body decline over time. The production of collagen and elastin slows down, resulting in changes to the skin. At 20 years of age, your body begins to produce 1% less collagen per year and the skin becomes more fragile and thinner. Other internal factors, such as sweat and oil glands, begin to diminish in overall function over the years. Our sebaceous glands (oil glands) are responsible for keeping the skin naturally hydrated and supple. As the production of those glands lessens the skin becomes drier, resulting in fine lines/wrinkles.
If loose skin and fine lines/wrinkles concern you, there are advanced technology treatments available to rebuild collagen in the skin and increase its overall production. These treatments heat the skin of the target area to comfortably tighten aging, sagging, or wrinkled skin by rebuilding collagen.
At New Life Aesthetics our aesthetic nurse specialists will sit down with you and find a regimen that works for you and your lifestyle! If you are interested in learning more about skin laxity and the treatments that can be done, call our team today!
