Skin naturally loses some of its ability to stretch and bounce back with aging. Sun exposure and habits, such as smoking, can accelerate this process. There are many successful treatments for improving skin elasticity. Lifestyle changes, such as wearing sunscreen, can help slow it down and minimize its effects.
What causes loss of skin elasticity? Young skin contains plenty of collagen and elastin, the proteins which give skin its structure and ability to stretch. As we age, these start to decline due to hormonal changes and our ability to heal also slows down, leading to decreased skin elasticity.
The good news is that elastin can be restored. But, according to Dr. Harshal, don't expect dramatic results. "It's more important to prevent rapid loss of elastin in the first place."
"Post menopause, our bodies experience a hormone shift with declining levels of estrogen and increased levels of androgens and this can affect the skin," says Dr. Robinson. She explains that skin will be thinner and less elastic.
But you can help your body produce elastin naturally by eating a well-balanced diet that includes greens, citrus fruits, fish, berries and nuts. You can also help maintain elastin in your body by exercising, establishing a proper skin care routine, quitting smoking and wearing sunscreen every day.
There are three main vitamins that help your skin stay elastic by protecting it from the sun, according to a May 2015 study in Biomolecules & Therapeutics: vitamin A, vitamin E and vitamin C. All three are antioxidants, although they play different roles in skin care.
For small to moderate amounts of weight loss, your skin will likely retract on its own. Natural home remedies may help too. However, more significant weight loss may need body-contouring surgery or other medical procedures to tighten or get rid of loose skin.
Bottom line: Laser resurfacing can tighten skin, usually better than any other skin-tightening procedure. It can also diminish fine lines, wrinkles, and dark spots on the skin, such as age spots. The tradeoff is that it requires downtime and has a greater risk of possible side effects, such as scarring.
Exposure to light is a top cause of premature aging: Sun exposure causes many skin problems. Ultraviolet (UV) light and exposure to sunlight age your skin more quickly than it would age naturally. The result is called photoaging, and it's responsible for 90% of visible changes to your skin.
Foods For Skin Elasticity
Eating foods like greens, fatty fish, citrus fruits, broccoli, almonds and walnuts can replenish elastin in your skin. These foods are known to work from within to improve your skin's health. Don't forget antioxidant foods [10] like green tea and berries as well.
Elastolytic enzymes called elastases, which arise from disease, sun exposure, free radical damage, inflammation, and other conditions, degrade elastin fibers. Disruptions to the elastic fiber network are seen even in the absence of sun exposure in intrinsically aged skin.
Facial movement lines become more visible after the skin starts losing its elasticity (usually as people reach their 30s and 40s).
Eat a healthy diet high in nutrients including vitamins A11 and C. Follow a daily skin care routine that includes sunscreen and topical retinol. Avoid smoking, as research shows that tobacco smoke reduces the production of collagen and elastin.
A plastic surgeon can remove the crepey looking skin, giving your body a more tightened appearance. Crepey skin shouldn't dictate how you see yourself in the mirror when there are so many options to improve its appearance.
“In general, it can take anywhere from weeks to months—even years,” says Dr. Chen. If after one to two years skin is still loose, it may not get any tighter, she says.
Most people begin to notice a shift in the appearance of their face around their 40's and 50's, with some also noticing a change in their 30's. But with these physical changes brought on by aging also comes a change in the appearance of our face - Luckily, there is treatment available.
5. Vitamin E – This vitamin has antioxidants which have amazing effects on both skin and hair. Vitamin E oil and capsules are hugely popular all over the world to tighten up skin. Vitamin E protect the skin from anti-ageing effects caused by sun by absorbing harmful UV light from the sun when applied topically.
Protein. The human skin is made up of two proteins; elastin and collagen. Elastin allows the skin to stretch and collagen gives skin structure. Unfortunately, as you age your body slows down production of these proteins, and your skin starts to sag.
Studies have indicated that supplemental collagen is beneficial for skin health, including tightening sagging skin (known as elasticity), boosting hydration, and lessening the appearance of wrinkles.
Eating foods rich in vitamin C and amino acids can increase the levels of hyaluronic acid and collagen in the body as both are important for skin. Foods such as oranges, red peppers, kale, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, and strawberries are all rich in vitamin C.
Loose skin can be tightened with collagen supplements, bariatric surgery, or radiofrequency treatments.