It’s inevitable – the older we get, the more our skin sags. Blame it on a decrease of collagen and elastin. Collagen and elastin are found in the deepest layer of our skin called the dermis, just above the fat layer that lies beneath our skin. These are what give our skin elasticity, holding our skin tightly to our face and body.
So why do we lose collagen and elastin as we age? There are several reasons.
Aging doesn’t destroy collagen and elastin. It’s just that as we get older, our bodies stop producing them. Often, however, the aging process is accelerated by lifestyle choices we make that result in free radical destruction of collagen.
One of the primary reasons we lose collagen and elastin is that our skin is exposed on a daily basis to high levels of free radicals that damage our skin and result in the destruction of collagen. It can be caused by first- or second-hand smoke, overexposure to sunlight, or a variety of pollutants that are present in our modern environment.
Another reason has to do with antioxidants. The fewer we have in our bodies, the more damage is done to our collagen levels. The best way to replenish antioxidants is with a mixture of vitamin E and Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10).
Last but not least, your diminishing supply of collagen can be the result of a medical condition. If you have a disorder that prevents your body from absorbing certain vitamins, it can lead to a deficiency in collagen. For example, your body depends on vitamin C to form collagen fibers. Take away this vitamin and the production of collagen is interrupted.
How Do You Turn Back the Clock?
Despite these biological factors, there are therapeutic ways to help your aging skin retain and even regenerate collagen and elastin. For example, there’s laser skin tightening. It’s based on the scientific fact that when collagen is heated to 66 degrees Celsius (150.8 degrees Fahrenheit), it contracts, and skin tightens.
Nonsurgical skin tightening treatments heat the collagen deep in your skin using radiofrequency energy, infrared energy, or a combination of both. The energy is passed into the skin to heat and remodel the collagen. At the same time, the skin tightening machine has a device that cools the surface of your skin to prevent burning, while the energy is penetrating the skin into the deep dermis.
Laser skin tightening works for men and women of all skin types and tones who want to achieve quick, dynamic results without painful surgery.
This minimally invasive procedure reduces the appearance of wrinkles and loose skin, making your complexion look smoother and more youthful, which is noticeable immediately after the treatment.
What’s more, with laser skin tightening, there’s no downtime. For optimal results, you may need additional treatments, but they are spaced out about a month apart.
At the Vein Institute & MediSpa in Kingwood, Texas, we are skilled in cosmetic body treatments designed to rejuvenate your skin and give you a more youthful appearance. To learn about laser skin tightening or other aesthetic options, call us today at (281) 312-0208 to request an appointment, or request an appointment online.
