Drooping and Sagging Skin

When we age, skin that has lost its spring isn’t the result of just one cause. Several factors are likely responsible for making your once supple skin appear tired and droopy.

The most common cause of sagging skin is aging. As we age, our skin loses collagen and elastin, our skin’s supportive connective tissue, that makes it look soft, plump and youthful. In addition, facial muscles can weaken with age which takes a toll too.

Getting older means more exposure to the dreaded pull of gravity, which we know causes skin to sag a little more with each passing day.

Sun exposure is another reason for skin losing its elasticity.

The sun’s powerful rays damage skin cells which, over time, this can increase the effects of aging. It’s a double-edged sword — all the ultraviolet radiation you soaked up while getting the perfect tan was also breaking down your collagen and elastin, which can lead to saggy skin and wrinkles.

Finally, weight loss, especially the loss of large amounts of weight over a short period of time, can cause skin to sag.

Those who undergo bariatric surgery often find themselves stuck with skin and tissue too stretched out to snap back. People who lose a lot of weight quickly with diet and exercise may be disappointed by the amount of skin that is left sagging after all their hard work and discipline.

Our skin’s collagen and elastin simply break down faster than your body can rebuild them, causing your skin to lose elasticity—which often leads to wrinkles and pockets of loose, sagging skin. The effects of age are typically most noticeable around the eyes, where skin is delicate and thin. Over time it will start to lose elasticity, beginning to droop and wrinkle, even creating heavy “hoods” that make you look older.

After a lifetime of laughing, smiling, furrowing brows or lighting up in surprise, the skin on your face can really show the signs of aging. Your face is also the area of your skin most exposed to the elements, bearing the brunt of environmental factors like sun damage. Over time, the smooth, sleek look you once had breaks down, becoming uneven, and lined with wrinkles. Your features lose definition – especially in the jawline, lips and neck.