As we age, it is common for the skin on our faces to begin to sag. While your skin can lose elasticity anywhere on the body, it is common in the face, including on the eyelids, jowls, chin, and neck. There are various causes of facial laxity, as well as things we can do to slow down sagging in the first place. However, if you have already noticed that the skin on your face is starting to droop, Mirabile M.D. wants to share some treatment options that may be the perfect fit for you.
Causes of Facial Laxity
Knowing what causes facial laxity is useful in preventing and slowing the skin from becoming saggy. Like most other problems relating to the skin, age and sun exposure are known culprits of causing facial laxity. However, these factors cause collagen and elastin to break down in the dermis, which is the ultimate reason our skin begins to sag with age.
Lack of Collagen Production
Collagen and elastin are proteins that give the skin its elasticity and firmness. These proteins are the reason that our skin bounces back when we are young. It is also why younger skin looks plumper and firmer. As we age, our skin’s collagen and elastin production decreases. Various factors influence this decline.
Sun exposure is an external factor that breaks down and slows production collagen over time. Wearing sunscreen and other protection can help protect the skin’s collagen as well as other skin issues like sunspots and wrinkles. In addition to sun exposure, pollutants in the environment, especially cigarette smoke, can slow collagen and elastin production.
Weightloss
When you gain weight, the skin on your face stretches. If you lose weight, your skin may begin to sag, depending on its elasticity. Your skin’s ability to bounce back after you lose weight also depends on the skin’s collagen production. If you lose a significant amount of weight, you may notice the skin under your eyes or on your neck becomes saggy. Carrying extra weight can also decrease collagen production, which can make it more difficult for the skin to bounce back when you lose weight.
Weightloss will also depend on your age at the time of weight loss. The older you are, the more difficult it will be for your skin to bounce back.
3 Options for Treating Saggy Skin
While saggy skin is often a natural part of aging, there are things that we can do to treat facial laxity. At Mirabile M.D., we offer our patients three different options for treating saggy skin.
1. Ultherapy
Ultherapy is a non-invasive treatment for lifting the skin on the face, neck, and chest. This treatment is often regarded as the non-surgical facelift. Ultherapy technology uses ultrasound energy to stimulate collagen production on the skin’s dermis layer. The ultrasound technology gradually strengthens and tones the skin, resulting in tighter, lifted skin on the target area.
Most patients notice results with only one Ultherapy treatment. However, some may need more than one to achieve their desired results. There is no downtime required following Ultherapy treatments. Patients may experience very minor side effects, such as redness, bruising, swelling, and tenderness, but these symptoms will subside soon after treatment
2. Cosmetic Injectables
Cosmetic injectables can help combat facial laxity by adding volume to any problem areas. At Mirabile M.D. we offer patients various options for cosmetic injectables.
Sculptra Aesthetic
Sculptra Aesthetic is an injectable treatment, but unlike dermal fillers, Sculptra gradually restores the fullness in the face, resulting in a subtle, youthful appearance. Sculptra Aesthetic treatments use poly-L-lactic acid, a synthetic material that the body naturally absorbs as it replenishes lost collagen.
Sculptra effectively treats saggy facial skin, wrinkles, and folds between the nose and mouth. Most patients receive three injection treatments over several months. The results of Sculptra can last more than two years because it gets to the root causes of facial aging within the deep dermis.
Like Ultherapy, Sculptra has no downtime, but you may experience mild bruising. Treatments last between 30 and 45 minutes.
Dermal Fillers
Dermal fillers are cosmetic injectables that treat various problem areas. While many people associate injectables with the lips, dermal fillers can add volume to your face and firmness to your skin, offering a more youthful appearance. There are numerous dermal filler products. The best type of dermal filler for you will depend on your skin goals. At Mirabile M.D., our nurse injectors can advise patients on the most appropriate and effective product for their goals. Results will depend on the dermal filler product, but most offer results that last at least six months. Dermal filler treatments also take around 30 to 45 minutes with no downtime. Many patients see improvements within days.
3. Evoke
Lastly, Evoke is a non-invasive solution that tightens the skin on the face, jowls, chin, and neck. Evoke is an InMode device that uses radiofrequency technology to deliver heat deep into the skin’s dermal layers. The device uses A.C.E. (Acquire, Control, and Extend) technology to achieve tighter, more voluminous skin.
Evoke provides results with no downtime, and the pain-free treatments feel like a warm facial. The number of treatments sessions vary by patient; however, most patients will receive three to six treatments with one week in between each appointment. Evoke treatments are quick, only lasting about 45 minutes. You’ll find that these pain-free treatments feel like a warm facial treatment. Evoke treatments are tailored to suit each patient’s needs and goals when it comes to lifting and tightening the skin to reverse skin laxity.
Our MedCosmetic team at Mirabile M.D. sees many patients for skin laxity. We can work with you to determine the best treatment options to suit your needs. Call us at 913-888-7546 to schedule a free consultation with us today.
