What Causes Loose Skin, and How to Choose the Best Solution for You

People sometimes panic when they notice sagging skin on their face, neck or other areas of the body. There are numerous causes behind the common experience, so reading about them will prepare you too. Understanding what causes loose skin could help you maintain your self-confidence.

Frequent Causes of Loose Skin

Saggy skin shouldn’t make you panic. There are multiple reasons it develops, so consider the common causes to understand which might be relevant to your situation.

Aging

The body loses collagen and fibers in the skin as it gets older. When your skin can’t stretch and reshape itself over time, it becomes loose and hangs in ways it didn’t before. The change in appearance showcases how much life experience you’ve earned and your body’s ability to divert cellular energy to much-needed bodily functions.

Experts also note that people start noticing sagging skin in their 30s, so you may see it starting earlier than expected. The results depend on your body’s ability to maintain its collagen production. If you’re not providing it through lifestyle choices, you may see loose skin appear.

Pregnancy

Your skin stretches when your body changes to accommodate a pregnancy. After you’re no longer pregnant, your skin won’t shrink back to its previous appearance. You’ll likely have extra skin around your midsection that takes a while to resolve itself without other solutions.

Weight Loss

People who undergo extreme weight loss may have sagging skin on their faces, arms, abdomens and legs. The skin stretches when the body puts on extra weight, which can cause a loss in elasticity even when the weight is gone.

Genetics

Your genes may influence how fast your skin loses elasticity as well. If you have older family members with poor skin health, you could inherit the inability to manage collagen production through your DNA. Consider your parents’ or grandparents’ skin health to determine if their genetics are influencing your appearance in more than one way.

Lifestyle Factors

Some lifestyle choices will influence your skin’s ability to bounce back after stretching. Smoking will increase the loss of elasticity and the development of wrinkles due to the chemicals in cigarettes. A poor diet and lack of hydration can also prevent your skin from getting the nutrients it needs to produce collagen.

Nonsurgical Solutions for Skin Laxity

Once you know what causes loose skin, you don’t have to pay for a costly surgery to fix it. Consider the many at-home options to find the right nonsurgical or natural solution for your appearance.

Targeted Skin Care Routines

Change your skin care routine to include more age-fighting ingredients. You could apply retinol at night to reverse signs of aging like loose skin and fine lines. The powerful ingredient nurtures the skin barrier but may irritate sensitive skin. Apply a small amount at first to see how your body reacts.

If you want an all-natural remedy, you might also make a green tea face mask. The primary ingredient is easy to find and has antioxidants that stimulate collagen production when applied topically. Sit back, relax and treat yourself to an occasional face mask to boost your skin’s health.

Improved Hydration and Nutrition

Your skin needs water and nutrients to function like any other organ. Drinking water is necessary to maintain adequate tissue elasticity, so long-term dehydration could have contributed to your loose skin. Eating vitamins and minerals every day will also support your ability to have healthy, supple skin.

Refined Exercise Strategies

Sagging skin related to weight loss could become less noticeable with exercise. Develop the muscle around the loose areas to fill the remaining skin. This option is best for people with less elasticity below the neck.

Medical Options to Reverse Loose Skin

Some people have more loose skin than others after extreme weight loss or aging. There are noninvasive treatments to consider, like lasers or ultrasounds that kick-start collagen production. Depending on your health history, they may or may not be an option for you.

Surgical options are also available. Minimally invasive procedures like microneedling or fillers are available at places like medical spas. Surgeons also remove loose skin with lifts and body contouring procedures that are safe but more invasive.

How to Choose the Best Path Forward

Deciding which loose skin solution is best for you might take time. You can consult experts like your doctor about your health history to determine what’s not possible. You could also chat with a nutritionist if you think your diet may have contributed to the situation. Physical trainers are available if you want help refining your exercise routine after giving birth or having weight loss surgery.

Your desired timeline will also influence your decision. If you want tighter skin around your eyes before a big event like a wedding, fillers might be more appealing than letting a skin care routine do its work. You could also want a gentle, long-term solution if your body is still recovering from something like pregnancy. Your doctor will help you decide what’s best according to your health history and personal preferences.

Solve Your Loose Skin Concerns

Learning what causes loose skin and finding the best solution requires thought. There are numerous natural, noninvasive and surgical options available. Consider what you’d be comfortable with, if you have any health conditions and what timeline you want for your results to arrive at the best decision.