LOOSE Saggy SKIN

Strategies to improve loose, saggy skin includes the following oral supplements:

• Vitamin C Supplements: Collagen contains an amino acid called proline. For our body to produce collagen, proline needs to be converted into another compound called hydroxyproline, and Vitamin C is required for this conversion to occur. Consuming vitamin C; at 500mg twice daily helps increase our body’s own production of collagen.
• Collagen Supplements: Collagen is a protein found in various parts of our body, including bones, tendons, skin, and muscles. Collagen supplements contain certain amino acids, notably hydroxyproline, glycine, and proline. When ingested, these supplements are broken down into smaller pieces that are absorbed into the bloodstream. Collagen supplements are derived from animal sources making them unsuitable for vegans and vegetarians.

A diet rich of foods rich in collagen and Vitamin C can support skin health and improve loose saggy skin:

• Collagen-Rich Foods: Beef, bone broth, chicken, eggs, fish, gelatin, pork, shellfish, turkey, wild game.
• Vitamin C-Rich Foods: Acerola cherries, bell peppers, blackcurrants, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cantaloupe, cauliflower, citrus fruits, guavas, kiwi, kale, mango, papayas, parsley, pineapple, potatoes, raspberries, spinach, strawberries, tomatoes, watermelon.

While the effectiveness of facial exercises is debated, some studies suggest that targeted exercises might improve muscle tone and volume in the face. Additionally, facial massage tools can stimulate fibroblasts to produce more collagen, though results are often minimal.

Devices used to firm and tighten loose skin use heat to stimulate collagen production and tighten the skin. The collagen molecule is like a triple helix held together by crosslinks. The process involves heating the collagen fibers. When collagen fibrils—the small fibers of collagen—are heated, they undergo changes. Firstly, the collagen denatures when it has been heated to 65°C. This means that the crosslinks break, making the collagen contract even more, resulting in a shorter and thicker form. This immediate contraction of collagen means tissue contraction, which reduces the skin’s looseness and gives it a lifted look. In addition, the heat and mechanical force of the device damage the skin in a controlled manner, which then triggers the body’s natural healing process, leading to the formation of new collagen by active fibroblasts. Interestingly, the time needed for collagen to denature and contract depends on the temperature: the hotter, the faster.