How to combat facial flaccidity

Facial flaccidity is a natural process that affects both men and women, although it is still a concern for some people who see it as another sign of aging.

When facial skin hangs, the loss of skin elasticity becomes visible, enhanced by the decreasing presence of collagen and elastin as we age, key substances in the task of supporting the skin. We can avoid it by maintaining a regular routine of care and hygiene, together with healthy lifestyle habits.

What is facial flaccidity?

Facial flaccidity refers to the loss of firmness and elasticity in the facial skin. As we age, according to many experts, from the age of 30 onwards, our body produces less collagen and elastin, especially in women, as men show this loss much later.

This decrease in collagen and elastin production leads to loss of volume and firmness, the skin is no longer as tight, resulting in flaccidity.

What causes facial flaccidity?

The answer to this question has already been provided a few lines above, however, in addition to the natural aging process, there are several factors that can contribute to facial sagging, such as excessive sun exposure, smoking, poor diet, stress and genetics. Chronic sun damage, in particular, can weaken collagen and elastin fibers, accelerating the process of facial sagging.

Signs of facial flaccidity

Signs of facial sagging can range from slight skin laxity to more pronounced folds and wrinkles. Some of the common signs include loss of definition in facial contours, sagging cheeks, jowls and more pronounced expression lines. If we add to this more pronounced wrinkles and lack of luminosity, the appearance can be desolate.

When does facial flaccidity appear?

We will not see obvious signs of the skin until approximately 40 years of age. However, from the age of 30 onwards the process will begin and it is the ideal time to enhance skin care to delay or limit the effects that gravity has on the skin.

The time may come earlier or later also depending on genetic and environmental factors.

How to combat facial flaccidity

The good thing about trying to combat facial sagging with a serious care plan is that its effects will show up not only with respect to sagging skin, but also in wrinkles, blemishes and radiance.

To restore firmness and youthfulness to the skin, we can opt for the following aesthetic procedures:

• Laser treatments: Laser treatments help tighten the skin and improve its texture. The laser can penetrate different layers of the skin, generating heat that triggers the formation of new collagen and elastin fibers. It is a treatment that can be used for the face, jowls and neck.
• Facial radiofrequency: radiofrequency also uses heat to stimulate the production of collagen and elastin. In addition, radiofrequency can also improve blood circulation and lymphatic drainage, which contributes to healthier, revitalized skin.
• Facelift: is the only surgical procedure in this list. Recovery is much slower than in other treatments and is recommended only for more advanced cases of flaccidity. In this case, what is done is to replenish and tighten facial tissues through an intervention in which excess skin is removed. The goal is to smooth wrinkles and reveal a more youthful appearance.
• Dermal fillers: dermal fillers work by plumping and restoring lost volume in specific areas of the face. When injected into the skin, they provide structural support, improve hydration and stimulate collagen production, which helps tighten the skin and reduce the appearance of sagging. Hyaluronic acid is commonly used to fill wrinkles and fine lines, calcium hydroxyapatite to add volume and definition, and polylactic acid to stimulate long-term collagen production. It must be taken into account that fillers have an immediate result but limited in time, so that when the effect is diluted it will be necessary to perform it again.
• Botox: botulinum toxin does not really act on facial flaccidity. What it does is help improve your appearance by temporarily relaxing the facial muscles that cause wrinkles and fine lines. Botox is usually injected into specific areas of the face, such as the forehead, between the eyebrows and chin. It can be an adjunct to dermal filler or facelift.
• Transdermal electroporation: this non-invasive treatment can be used for a multitude of treatments, for which different active ingredients will be used to deepen the skin layers by means of electrical pulses. At Sisneo we have a specific product against flaccidity for use with electroporation. It is Mesolift, a compound that includes, among others, rejuvenating peptides and growth factors, which enhance the synthesis of collagen and elastin to improve skin firmness and elasticity.

How to prevent facial flaccidity

Treatments can be included at any time and will almost certainly have an immediate effect. However, we can reduce the need to opt for them with preventive actions such as the following:

• Avoid excessive sun exposure and use sunscreen daily. Sun exposure is one of the main causes of facial flaccidity. By using sunscreen with an adequate sun protection factor (SPF) every day, even on cloudy days, we can protect the skin from UV damage and prevent photoaging.
• Follow a balanced diet. A diet rich in antioxidants, vitamins and minerals is essential to maintain skin health and prevent facial sagging. Fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, healthy fats and whole grains contain antioxidants that fight free radicals.
• Do not smoke and limit alcohol consumption. Smoking accelerates the skin aging process and can cause facial sagging. Smoking reduces blood flow to the skin, which can cause damage to collagen and elastin fibers, contributing to loss of firmness and elasticity. And excessive alcohol consumption can dehydrate the skin and affect its ability to regenerate properly.
• Keep the skin well hydrated. Drink enough water throughout the day to keep skin hydrated and use facial moisturizers containing ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, glycerin or ceramides to help retain moisture in the skin.
• Regular exercise improves blood circulation and overall skin health.