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At Healthfully, we strive to deliver objective content that is accurate and up-to-date. Our team periodically reviews articles in order to ensure content quality. The sources cited below consist of evidence from peer-reviewed journals, prominent medical organizations, academic associations, and government data.
- The British Journal of Dermatology: Is Skin Ageing in the Elderly Caused by Sun Exposure or Smoking?
- The British Journal of Dermatology: Is Skin Ageing in the Elderly Caused by Sun Exposure or Smoking?
- Acta Clinica Croatia: The Role of Nutraceuticals in Anti-Aging Medicine
- Acta Clinica Croatia: The Role of Nutraceuticals in Anti-Aging Medicine
- Harvard Health Publications: Why Your Face Ages and What You Can Do
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Is It Possible to Prevent Facial Skin Sagging?
Elastin fibers and collagen in your skin help keep your face smooth and supple. As you get older, those fibers begin to break down, which can cause your face to sag. By treating your skin right, though, you'll minimize the damage and keep your face looking firm.
Make Healthy Choices
If you're a smoker, consider giving up the habit. Smoking 20 cigarettes a day made research participants look 10 years older, according to a study reported by "The British Journal of Dermatology." Sun exposure can also do serious damage to your skin 6. Stay in the shade between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., when the sun is strongest. Cover your face with a broad-spectrum sunblock if you plan to go outside or sit in front of a window. Sugary and carbohydrate-laden foods may taste delicious, but they're bad news for your skin. A diet rich in sweet and starchy foods may accelerate aging, according to the American Academy of Dermatology 7.**
- If you're a smoker, consider giving up the habit.
- Smoking 20 cigarettes a day made research participants look 10 years older, according to a study reported by "The British Journal of Dermatology."
Eat a Balanced Diet
How to Get Rid of Fat Dimples
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Processed foods are the enemy of healthy skin, so cut back on them and stock up on fruits and vegetables instead. Some foods, nutrients and compounds can even help keep your face smooth and sag-free. Omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, phytoestrogens and coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) help regulate degenerative processes and inflammation in the body, according to research by Zagreb University Hospital Center. Foods such as:
- raisins
- mango
- chickpeas
- eggs
- Brazil nuts fight off facial sagging
- says Allison Tannis
- author of "Feed Your Skin
- Starve Your Wrinkles."
- Processed foods are the enemy of healthy skin, so cut back on them and stock up on fruits and vegetables instead.
Stay Fit
Excessive weight gain or loss stretches skin, which weakens the elastin fibers in your face. Carrying around excess weight is tough on your skin, organs and other body parts. It's vital to exercise regularly, but don't lose more than 1 or 2 pounds per week. All exercise is good for your body, but high-impact exercise, such as running, can jolt your skin. If you're a regular runner, the impact can cause collagen in skin to tear over time, according to plastic surgeon Dr. Gerald Imber. The health benefits of running, however, still outweigh the risks.
- Excessive weight gain or loss stretches skin, which weakens the elastin fibers in your face.
- All exercise is good for your body, but high-impact exercise, such as running, can jolt your skin.
Follow a Skin-Care Regimen
The Best Vitamin for Sagging Facial Skin
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Creams that contain vitamin A, also called retinol or tretinoin creams, help skin produce new collagen, according to Harvard Health Publications. They also firm skin and correct uneven skin tone. Nightly, treat skin with a product containing alpha-hydroxy acids, such as glycolic acid, or estrogen cream. According to a study reported by NYU Langone Medical Center, particpants treated with 8 percent glycolic acid, 8 percent L-lactic acid and estrogen cream showed signs of improved aging 10. NYU Langone Medical Center also reports that oligomeric proanthocyanidin complexes (OPCs), which come from pine bark and grape seed, may strengthen and protect collagen and elastin 10.
- Creams that contain vitamin A, also called retinol or tretinoin creams, help skin produce new collagen, according to Harvard Health Publications.
Related Articles
References
- The Dr. Oz Show: Is Sagging Skin Part of Our Destiny?
- Shape: Does Running Cause Your Skin to Sag?
- Feed Your Skin, Starve Your Wrinkles; Allison Tannis
- Good Housekeeping: Sagging Skin -- What You and Your Doctor Can Do
- Dr. Cynthia Bailey Skin Care: Start the Best Anti Aging Skin Care Now and See Results in the New Year
- The British Journal of Dermatology: Is Skin Ageing in the Elderly Caused by Sun Exposure or Smoking?
- American Academy of Dermatology: What Causes Our Skin to Age?
- Acta Clinica Croatia: The Role of Nutraceuticals in Anti-Aging Medicine
- Harvard Health Publications: Why Your Face Ages and What You Can Do
- NYU Langone Medical Center: Aging Skin
- Draelos ZD. "Facial Skin Care Products and Cosmetics." Clinics in Dermatology. 2014 Nov-Dec;32(6):809-12.
- Griffith JL, McCowan NK. "Basic Skin Care: A Pragmatic Approach to Better Skin Using Over-the-Counter Cosmeceuticals." Journal of the Mississippi State Medical Association. 2014 Oct;55(10):316-20.
- Tan KW, Graf BA, Mitra SR, Stephen ID. "Daily Consumption of a Fruit and Vegetable Smoothie Alters Facial Skin Color." PLoS One. 2015 Jul 17;10(7):e0133445.
Writer Bio
Melissa King began writing in 2001. She spent three years writing for her local newspaper, "The Colt," writing editorials, news stories, product reviews and entertainment pieces. She is also the owner and operator of Howbert Freelance Writing. King holds an Associate of Arts in communications from Tarrant County College.