Skin is the reflection of the health of the body. The most common cause of sagging facial skin is ‘aging.’ It occurs due to two age-related reasons:
- Loss of collagen, which gives skin its elasticity, and loss of facial fat, the absence of which causes the skin to droop.
- With age, collagen (which gives skin its strength) and elastin (the stretchy part of the skin) get weaker. This is when wrinkles start to form as ‘expression’ lines.
Sagging facial skin is not the result of just one cause. Several factors are likely responsible for making your once supple skin appear tired and droopy. Let’s check out what else can cause the skin to sag.
SLEEP DEPRIVATION
Sleep is a time for the body to heal, renew and eliminate toxins from the body. And a bad night’s sleep affects facial features. Not getting enough restorative sleep shows signs of premature skin aging and make it slow to repair. It makes the skin look and feel tired and causes dark circles and bags under the eyes.
STRESS AND WORRY
Stress is the new biological clock — and it is so powerful that it can age you by a decade. When people are under stress, they don’t eat well, they exercise less, and they generally don’t maintain a healthy sleep schedule, all of which can impact a person’s appearance. Worry causes frowning, and over time facial muscles conform to that movement, causing lines and wrinkles. So stop worrying much. Everyday stress can play havoc with your skin, due to the release of a stress hormone, cortisol into the body which degrades collagen.
SUN EXPOSURE
Sun exposure is responsible for 80 percent of your skin’s visible aging. The sun’s ultraviolet (UV) light breaks down the skin’s structural tissues (collagen and elastin). When these fibers breakdown, the skin begins to sag, stretch, and lose its ability to go back into place after stretching. This leads to premature wrinkles and sagging skin on face and neck, making the skin look mottled, dry and leathery. Long-term UV exposure can also lead to pigmentation and causes most of the skin changes that we think of as a normal part of aging.
Aging is unavoidable but Sun exposure is completely within your control. So don’t forget to slather up with plenty of sunscreens before venturing outside, even in colder weather.
SMOKING CAUSES SAGGING FACIAL SKIN
Here is one more reason to motivate you to quit smoking, ‘it impacts your appearance and contributes to premature wrinkles.’ Research has shown that cigarette smoking is detrimental to the skin, especially in women. There are more than 4,000 chemicals in tobacco smoke, and many of them trigger the destruction of collagen and elastin. The nicotine in it causes blood vessels to constrict, resulting in a decreased blood flow to the outermost layers of your skin. With less blood flow, your skin doesn’t get as much oxygen and important nutrients, such as vitamin A. Apart from the direct harmful effects of the cigarettes on the body, the constant act of pursing the lips to inhale cigarette smoke leads to wrinkles around the mouth.
So, if you wish to protect your youthful looks, then quitting smoking surely makes some sense.
UNHEALTHY DIET
Sugar and carbohydrate-laden processed foods may look delicious but they are the enemy of healthy skin. So cut back on them and stock up on fruits and vegetables instead. A diet rich in sugar and starchy foods creates an internal environment that is not youth-friendly and may accelerate the aging process.
Crash dieting is one more reason for sagging facial skin. With sudden weight loss, there is a loss of elasticity and collagen due to the excess stress on the body, making the facial skin more vulnerable to wrinkling and sagging.
What we put into our bodies can have a direct impact on our skin. If you have a poor diet, that expensive anti-aging cream or strict skincare regime may not be enough to keep the wrinkles and spots at bay.
ALSO READ: Stay Young With Best Anti-Aging Foods
ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS
Pollution is harmful not only to the lungs but the skin as well. It can actually cause reactions that disturb the skin’s regulatory system. Air pollutants can affect the skin’s ability to retain moisture levels, making the skin dry and scaly. Dust can also clog pores and increase bacteria on the face resulting in acne. Cold weather can have a similar effect. It chaps and dries out the skin, eventually leading to wrinkles and rough skin.
By treating your skin right, you can minimize the damage and keep your skin looking firm. The best way to protect your skin is to make sure you are doing everything you can to protect and care for your skin, inside and out.
- Never miss the cleansing, moisturizing and toning routine. This stimulates increased blood flow and collagen production to the face.
- Facial and face packs are the best way to regain a more youthful appearance.
- Exercise is another natural way to reduce sagging skin by building muscle mass.
- Vitamins A, C, and E play a major role in collagen production, making the skin softer. Consumed orally in the form of a healthy diet and applied in the form of serum promote healthy skin.
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