Skin aging typically starts becoming noticeable around age 25-30, with collagen production declining gradually thereafter. By age 40, collagen levels may significantly decrease, leading to visible signs like wrinkles and sagging skin. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle and skincare routine can help slow this process.

CELL TURNOVER

Cell turnover refers to the process by which your skin naturally sheds old, dead skin cells and replaces them with new ones. It’s like a continuous refresh button for your skin, ensuring it stays healthy and vibrant. As we age, this turnover process slows down, leading to dullness and rough texture. That’s why exfoliation, good skincare and products that promote cell turnover are essential for maintaining youthful-looking skin.

HOW CAN I IMPROVE MY SKIN ELASTICITY NOW?

Below we suggest proven ways – including skincare products and treatments – which will give you instant results as well as other ways which will take time to have a noticeable effect. You can try these methods now to restore your skin elasticity and, ideally, ascertain what you personally need to address to improve your skin health long term; that may be using a better quality sunscreen regularly, adjusting what you eat, sleeping better, exercising more – and complementing these with a good skincare regime and treatments when your skin needs.

SKINCARE

Don’t be put off by the mesmerising amount of skincare available – there are products with proven ingredients which stand out from the rest in tackling issues such as diminishing skin elasticity. Talk to us or another skin expert (your dermatologist, if you have one) to decide which skincare to start with. Some of the most powerful – those containing prescription retinoids, for example – need to be started gradually and prescribed by a doctor. These are things to look for:

– BROAD SPECTRUM SUN PROTECTION

The biggest aggressor to the skin is exposure to UV rays from the sun; daily protection is therefore essential for good skin health and in preventing premature ageing. Sun screen offer vital broad-spectrum protection against UVA and UVB (as well as visible light and infrared-A), protecting skin at and below its surface.

– MOISTURISER

When your skin lacks moisture, it isn’t able to repair itself and is vulnerable to damage from free radicals in the environment. Using a good quality moisturiser will help hydrate the skin, keeping it supple and radiant, and enable it to fight back.

– COLLAGEN

Given its essential role in the maintenance of skin elasticity, it makes sense to prioritize products which encourage collagen production. Skincare doesn’t contain collagen as such so instead look for the ingredients we mention which stimulate its production.

– ANTIOXIDANTS

Antioxidants may be the unsung heroes of skincare. Using products with a combination of antioxidants – such as vitamins A & C along with coenzyme Q10 – your skin will build up its defence against damaging free radicals. They are easily absorbed by the skin, neutralise free radicals and improve skin elasticity and texture.

– HYALURONIC ACID

Hyaluronic acid is naturally produced by your body and is an extremely popular skincare ingredient due to its amazing capacity to hold on to 1000 times its weight in moisture. HA Serums help amplify hyaluronic acid levels in skin to improve the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and skin texture.

– RETINOL & RETINOIDS

Retinol – a form of vitamin A – and retinoids, such as tretinoin, have been shown in numerous studies to be particularly effective in boosting collagen and reversing the signs of ageing. Over-the-counter skincare products contain small amounts of the ingredient but the most potent form is retinoids, available on prescription from. Using both topical retinol and vitamin C has been found to be particularly effective at improving skin elasticity.

– AHAS / HYDROXY ACIDS

Studies have shown that anti-ageing skincare containing AHAs (alpha hydroxy acids) and vitamins significantly improves the skin, including lines, wrinkles, texture, and elasticity, without significant adverse effects. The acid promotes cell renewal, stimulating collagen and elastin production to improve skin elasticity, minimise wrinkles and imperfections, whilst deep cleansing pores.

– PROVITAMIN B5

Used topically, dexpanthenol (also known as panthenol) acts like a moisturiser, improving hydration, reducing water loss, maintaining elasticity and softening the skin to reduce the appearance of lines and wrinkles. It also heals and protects.

SUPPLEMENTS

Taking supplements may also help boost the reserves of the proteins your skin is losing as it ages, helping skin become firmer and fine lines and wrinkles less obvious.

– COLLAGEN SUPPLEMENTS

Collagen is the most abundant protein in the body and provides many vital functions, including maintenance of skin health and elasticity. Given collagen depletes over time, you may like to try collagen shots, pills or powder.

– HYALURONIC ACID

Sometimes called the “fountain of youth”, hyaluronic acid helps skin maintain moisture. As discussed, topical skincare can help replenish your skin’s supply of HA and supplementation may also help add to your reserves. Studies show that taking HA orally inhibits skin wrinkles and improves general skin condition.

– GENISTEIN ISOFLAVONES

Genistein isoflavones – found in soybeans – are phytoestrogens and have also been shown to improve skin elasticity when taken orally (and also topically).

CLINIC TREATMENTS

Before you have a treatment at Unwind Beauty Lounge in Frisco, book in to see our esthetician to discuss your skin concerns – loss of elasticity, for example – and which treatments and skincare will be the most effective for you.

– CHEMICAL PEELS

Medium depth peels, such as the PCA Peel or Perfect Peel, combine various acids and vitamins to improve skin tone, texture and clarity, working at a cellular level instead of simply sloughing off the top layer of skin. These peels stimulate collagen production, giving firmer and more youthful-looking skin after one treatment.

– MICRONEEDLING

Microneedling treatments – Dermaroller, for example – stimulate the skin in order to help it regenerate and repair itself naturally. Thousands of microscopic needle holes are made in the skin (without damaging it), prompting treated skin to produce new collagen and elastin and generate new cells in order to heal. Your body then regenerates and repairs the skin over time, working below the surface in the dermis to form new collagen, generate new skin cells and enhance the blood supply.

– RADIOFREQUENCY RF

Radio frequency-based professional skin treatment devices, use various treatment methods, often in combination, to lift, tighten and brighten skin, stimulating ‘fibroblasts’ to make new collagen and elastin. They treat wrinkles as well as tighten and lift sagging skin on the face and neck. Particularly good for delicate and hard to treat areas around the eyes and mouth.

– HYDRAFACIAL & HYDRATIGHT

Hugely popular worldwide, HydraFacial’s all-in-one treatments offer non-invasive resurfacing and rejuvenation of the skin, combining cleansing, exfoliation, extraction, hydration and antioxidant protection. A HydraTight treatment combines a HydraFacial with radio-frequency to tighten the skin (cheeks and jawline) by stimulating collagen and elastin production. Both relaxing treatments require no down-time and deliver immediately noticeable results, with more youthful, hydrated skin. HydraTight’s effects continue to improve for months after the course of treatments.

– INTRACEUTICALS INFUSION

Intraceuticals Infusion is a gentle treatment which uses hyperbaric pressurized oxygen to infuse skin with hyaluronic acid and antioxidant serums, to plump, rejuvenate, hydrate and replenish skin.

– LASER

Laser treatments can tighten skin and improve tone by sending heat deep into the skin without wounding the top layer, decreasing skin laxity and smoothing wrinkles. Non-ablative lasers heat the tissue beneath the skin to stimulate collagen production, removing the top layer to encourage new skin to grow as a result of the wound healing process.

– COSMETIC ACUPUNCTURE

Cosmetic acupuncture with natural-lifting massage techniques can help rejuvenate skin. Small, very fine needles are gently inserted into key areas of the face to encourage muscles to tighten, stimulating the skin to spring back and function as it did before. It treats the major organs of the body whilst simultaneously retraining muscles and stimulating collagen production to naturally lift and rejuvenate the skin.

WHAT FOODS ARE GOOD FOR SKIN ELASTICITY?

To boost your skin’s elasticity, aim to eat foods rich in omega 3 fatty acids, zinc and vitamins A, B, C and E. Fatty fish, leafy green vegetables and nuts are beneficial, as are dark chocolate and green tea. It’s also best to avoid drinking alcohol (though a very occasional glass shouldn’t do much harm – everything in moderation!). Be mindful of your sugar intake too: excessive amounts can age skin prematurely as sugar in the bloodstream forms harmful molecules (known as AGEs: advanced glycation end products) which attack collagen and elastin.

HOW CAN I PREVENT LOSS OF SKIN ELASTICITY IN THE FUTURE?

1. LIMIT SUN EXPOSURE & COVER UP WHEN POSSIBLE

Exposure to UV rays reduces elasticity and causes premature ageing so cover up. Use broad spectrum sunscreen to protect against UVA & UVB rays and antioxidants to prevent damage to your skin from free radicals.

2. KEEP HYDRATED

If the outermost layer of the epidermis doesn’t contain enough water, your skin will lose elasticity. Water helps skin maintain moisture which increases elasticity so keep skin hydrated. Try the “pinch test” to check your hydration levels.

3. REDUCE YOUR SUGAR CONSUMPTION AND EAT NUTRITIONALLY-RICH FOODS

Eat mindfully, with a diet rich in antioxidants, vitamins A, B, C & E and omega-3s. Watch your sugar cravings: sugar in the bloodstream forms harmful molecules (AGEs) which weaken collagen & elastin.

4. IMPROVE YOUR QUALITY AND QUANTITY OF SLEEP

Research shows that a lack of sleep disrupts your circadian rhythms and increases oxidative stress, damaging skin elasticity as a result. Try to put away your phone, iPad, etc early in the evening as the blue light also accelerates oxidative stress.

5. EXERCISE REGULARLY

Increasing your circulation through regular exercise means more oxygen and nutrients are delivered to your skin – and this will show on your face. You can also enhance elasticity by toning your facial muscles.

6. BUY SKINCARE WHICH TREATS ELASTICITY

Replenish your stores of collagen and elastin – as well as hyaluronic acid – as they deplete as we age and are critical for firm skin. Use supplements and skincare which boost your skin’s supply of them. Also try skincare with retinol to increase collagen and antioxidants to protect skin from free radicals.

7. TRY SKIN TREATMENTS

Treatments such as micro needling, medium depth peels, radiofrequency RF, Hight frequency laser and PRP may improve elasticity, some immediately and even long term if done regularly.

8. GIVE UP SMOKING & DRINK LESS ALCOHOL

Nicotine causes narrowing of blood vessels in the outermost layers of your skin, impairing blood flow to the skin. The thousands of chemicals in tobacco smoke attack collagen and elastin i.e. damaging skin strength and elasticity.