This very important component of the aging process is one of the most over looked. It’s cause is also multifactorial. Collagen and elastin production declines as we get older meaning that lovely springy tightness and plumpness that sustains the skin diminishes and the skin loosens. Factors that affect this include:
Genetic predispositions
Oxidative stress caused by poor nutrition (highly processed foods, lack of vitamin C and collagen rich foods) , lack of hydration, environmental factions such as UV exposure & pollutants, and lifestyle factors such as smoking, excessive alcohol or excessive exercise
Loose skin contributes to sagging, folds, and lines and an appearance of being gaunt – these are some of our most frequent complaints expressed by our clients.
What can you do about loose skin?
Firstly – tackle the cause!
Ensure your diet is high in nutritional values – the best way to do this is to eat a good variety of whole foods – ditching the highly processed options.
Reduce exposure to toxins – Quit Smoking, reduce alcohol consumption – change exercise to strength or resistance training and ensure you allow time for growth and repair (i.e. make sure you take in built days off!)
Drink more water! I’m not saying give up Caffeine but switch a few cups during the day for lemon water (hot or cold)
Wear a good high grade non toxic SPF – my favourite is PCA Skin weightless SPF 45 – zinc oxide based, this is far better for your skin and over all health than other options
Topical Vitamin C – can repair oxidative stress to the skin – Pack this beside essential skin nutrient Vitamin E and we can counter act the damage from the environment. However you need to be aware that not all are created equally. We need the product to a) cross the surface barrier of the skin to actually make a cellular change & b) we need a strong enough product that does not lose it strength before it gets to make the change.
This is why PCA skin C&E Advanced is a firm favourite at Purple Aura. Ingredients L-ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) (20%) – an antioxidant and matrix metalloproteinase inhibitor (MMPi) that is pure vitamin C; it minimizes the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles while promoting an even skin tone and helping to tighten skin. It is also the strongest formula on the market and penetrates right down to the extracellular matrix.
Retinol
Retinol is a superhero in the quest for eternal youth it can increase in your skin’s natural cell turnover rate, removal of dead skin cells that clog pores and an increase in collagen production – helping to tighten lighten and brighten your skin!
Retinol is a member of the vitamin A family called retinoids, which your body requires for healthy bone growth and a strong immune system. While our bodies don’t naturally produce vitamin A, foods including sweet potatoes, carrots and dark leafy greens contain high amounts of vitamin A to help your body meet its minimum requirements. However, your skin is the last organ to get the vitamins you consume, so relying solely on diet won’t provide many vitamin A benefits to the skin. Topical application is the best way to reap the many anti-aging and healthy skin benefits that vitamin A has to offer.
Medical grade home skin care (with options available for all skin types) are a great way to incorporate this into your daily routine and see amazing results. For a more intense outcome much stronger formulas can be incorporated into your professional chemical peels to reveal quick and dramatic outcomes. They are prescription only treatments and are subject to a face to face consultation with your medical practitioner.
HIFU
This incredible cutting edge treatment is taking the world by storm – and is often referred to as a “non surgical face lift”. Using the most innovative technology HIFU (High Intense Focused Ultra Sound) targets different layers in the skin to deliver heat, stimulating collagen production and tightening skin and even inducing fat cell death (apoptosis) if desired! This little beauty can be used for eye lids, brow lifts, cheeks and jowels, jaw line and under chin , neck and body areas such as bingo wings.
Skin Boosters
Skin boosters are becoming increasingly more popular as people opt for more natural looking treatments.
Very small injections are place just under the skin with a very very small needle – the aim is to plump moisturise and nourish the skin from within – acting upon the skin cells health to give you a firmer brighter tighter healthier glow.
Excitingly we now know that this can actually stimulate your own cells to regenerate – reversing the speed at which we age and reversing and preventing the effects of photoaging.
There are a number of different skin boosters on the market most contain hyaluronic acid – other ingredient which they may contain include:
amino acids (to nourish the cells from within)
glycerol (to reverse early sun damage & powerfully hydrate)
Calcium Hydroxyapatite (to stimulate collagen production tightening the skin)
Dermal Fillers
As with skin boosters exciting new studies show that hyaluronic acid actually stimulate our own cells to naturally produce more! Meaning that we age at a much slower rate.
Exciting new techniques mean that we can place the dermal fillers in the lateral and more static part of the face including the temples and hair line, and other less visible places to provide a lift that keeps the tension in your middle face > keeping you looking beautifully fresh and natural.
Yes – think of the areas that you pull back when you stand in the mirror and lift your face to imagine your younger looking self!
Other Treatments That May help Tighten Skin
(brightening lightening & tightening) whist treating more specific concerns include:
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