Our skin protects us from the harmful rays of the sun, the airborne pollutants and protects us from tons of infections every day. Have you ever wondered what keeps skin the way it is – Firm, smooth and break-free? Keeping our skin soft and even is the responsibility of collagen. Along with elastin, collagen keeps the skin firm, wrinkle-free and shapely.
Why is sagging such a different problem in people?
You must have noticed how some people look older than they are due to sagging and wrinkly skin. Research shows that collagen production and distribution depend on some factors including regular skincare routine, smoking habit, drinking habit, diet preferences and of course genes. A few ethnic races have great genes that control the production of high amounts of collagen and elastin for the more significant part of a person’s life. As a result, their skin ends up looking supple and smooth up until they are at least 50 or 55 years old. On the other hand, for several ethnic groups, primarily Caucasians, the lack of enough pigment production even under the harsh sun can cause premature aging of the skin and results in early sagging and breakage of the skin. The lack of enough collagen and elastin causes a compromise of skin integrity and can cause the skin around the eyelids to droop and the skin around the jaws and neck to fold.
What causes the skin in the neck region to sag?
Some lifestyle choices also affect skin integrity and extent of sagging. Rapid weight loss within a short span of time can lead to premature aging of the skin and usually happens because when you lose weight, you get rid of fat storing cells from under your skin and does not occur in the body parts you work out, but also from your face and neck regions. To prevent yourself from looking like a Shar Pei (although they are adorable and there’s nothing wrong with wanting to look like one!) you should pay attention to the amount of protein you are consuming. As per expert advice, to prevent high levels of saggy skin, you should start muscle building activities along with your weight loss regimen from the very first day.
What can you do to keep your décolleté young and charming forever?
Now, you may be wondering what kind of exercise you can perform with your neck and your cheek to build muscle. Do some hyperbolic cohorts of gym goers lift weight using their cheek and neck? What magic do doctors perform to make the sagging go away? What happens to all the extra skin? Do you trade in sagging skin for surgery marks? How crazy is that?
- Stretch it all the way
Stretch it all the way might look at bit whacky, so maybe you would like to try this in a private space. We have seen people try this during their morning time on the john and, honestly, we don’t see anything wrong, as long as it works for you!
Stretch 1: Sit with your back straight and lean your head back entirely as far as you can. Now, pout like you are taking your day’s Insta-selfie and hold for 10 seconds. Come back to normal position. Repeat for 10 to 12 times.
Stretch 2: find two more minutes on a chair or in your loo. Stretch your neck out in front and open your mouth as far as it will open. Hold it in place for 2 seconds and close. Pull your neck back in place. Continue this for 20 times and increase the count every week and will likely show results within 4 to 6 weeks.
Stretch 3: stand up straight and place your hands on your hips. Lift your head slowly, while keeping your neck straight. Stop when you are looking directly at the ceiling. Next, slowly bring your head down till you are looking at the ground and your chin is touching your neck. Repeat these 10 to 12 times.
Stretch 4: this is more of an extension of Stretch 3. Stand straight with your hands on your hips once again. Hold your head up high and neck straight. (You should be looking right ahead). Slowly move your head to the right and then move your head to the left and will stretch out the skin on your neck from side to side and train the surface to remain taut as well.
- Neck and jaw moisturizer
Your neck has its sebum glands and yet you need to invest in good quality moisture balance creams or serums to keep your face moist. The neck region usually does not have oil-producing organs, and it is much drier as compared to your face. Now, instead of wondering why nature has been so inconsiderate and whimsical, you can go ahead and make sure that the skin on your neck gets the same level of moisture care your face does.
Just like your face needs dedicated face creams, Vitamin Serums, firming and micro-sculpting formulae and firming facial packs, the skin on your neck also requires little special care. Your best shots include collagen creams, dedicated skin firming cream and sculpting serums that preferably contain micro-sculpting particulate that can smoothen out the wrinkles.
However, this does not mean you get to skip your daily cleanse and tone routine. Any right skin sculpting formula can only unleash its true potential once you start following your cleansing and toning regimen completely. Always remember to pick a non-drying toner. Most drugstore toner brands have a lot of alcohol that merely dries out the skin even more. So, while you are investing in a new neck moisturizer and a neck firming serum, it will pay off to invest in a good cleanser and non-alcoholic toner duo as well.
- Mind your posture
Slouching does not give you back problems and shoulder pain; it also gives you saggy skin on your neck. When you always slouch while walking, talking, working on your laptop, looking at your phone or watching TV, the skin on your neck does not stretch out thoroughly. The easiest way to understand the cause is to see this as a lack of training. Not stretching your neck enough can cause the neck muscles to remain un-stretched. The skin does not “understand” that it has to stay taut. Therefore, slouching causes the skin under your jaw to turkey neck.
Try to hold your head up high every time you are having a good chat or working on your laptop. Switch from two pillows to one, to minimize the angle between your neck and your face. Also, stretch your neck out from time to time to train your muscles and keep your neck long while taking a nice long nap!
- Non-invasive cosmetic procedures
First, we would like to say that there is nothing wrong with wanting to look a certain way, as long as it does not interfere with your health. There are thousands of men and women in the US who undergo skin tightening procedures. A considerable portion of these people are professionals where their looks have the power to create a particular impression on their clients, customers or audiences.
We are not just talking about actors and stage performers; we are also talking about realtors, real estate agents, marketing experts, corporate communication experts and some similar professionals. Each year, thousands of people, who have to interact with their customers and clients directly, undergo skin tightening and sculpting procedures to look healthier and more youthful.
Necklift: Genetic causes of premature aging and sagging of skin around the jawline often demands neck-lifts. A neck lift is a surgical procedure that involves minimum cutting and sewing. It merely gets rid of the extra skin around the jaw and neck and has a lasting impact, and sometimes people do not have to repeat this process for another ten years.
Botox: This process uses a neuro-toxin in controlled amounts to create artificial tightening in selected muscles. The effects are ephemeral and the wrinkles on the skin slowly return as the botulinum (the anti-wrinkle agent) slowly wears off. In simple words, doctors can get rid of lines on your skin by gradually inducing paralysis in small areas of facial muscles. That might not sound very comforting, but it is one of the best ways to treat recurrent sagging of skin, migraine, facial paralysis due to cerebral strokes, eyelid spasms and chronic spasms of the cervix.
Non-invasive sculpting procedures are ideal in case of gene-dependent sagging. As we have mentioned before, some people can experience premature signs of aging, and that can come across as signs of lack of self-grooming, self-care or poor health. Professionals involved in corporate branding, communications and sales cannot afford to put forth such a care-free impression.
There are several home-based face (oops, neck) packs that work for fine wrinkles and almost invisible sagging, but in most cases of visible sagging, people need the help of a collagen cream or collagen inducing serum. You can also try serums with a high dose of Vitamin A and Vitamin C to boost the health of your décolleté.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
