SAGGY SKIN: TIPS ON HOW TO DEAL WITH SAGGING SKIN TO FIRM YOUR SKIN AND DO IT NATURALLY

This way, you can avoid some of the surgeries they do or other invasive treatments.

Tips for dealing with sagging skin naturally

Sagging skin is a problem that many people face, especially after significant weight loss, aging, or due to other factors such as sun exposure, pregnancy, smoking, diabetes, and stress.The good news is that there are natural ways to deal with this and avoid invasive treatments.

What is sagging skin?

Sagging skin is skin that does not return to its original shape after being stretched. This happens mainly due to problems with collagen and a fiber called elastin, which are responsible for the elasticity of the skin.

What causes sagging skin?
 

Sagging skin is usually not caused by a lack of collagen intake, but rather by factors such as:

The question people have is: should I start consuming more collagen, which usually helps ?

It's not a lack of collagen intake that causes this; the problem usually comes from aging and significant weight loss, which can lead to sagging skin.

Excessive sun exposure, pregnancy, smoking, diabetes or high stress can contribute to sagging skin or even the breakdown of collagen fibers.

So, let's dive deeper into each of these factors.

• AGING
• SIGNIFICANT WEIGHT LOSS
• EXCESSIVE SUN EXPOSURE
•  PREGNANCY
• SMOKE
•  DIABETES
• STRESS

These factors can cause the breakdown of collagen fibers in the skin, resulting in sagging.

The Best Natural Ways to Firm Sagging Skin

Different components and things you can start making right away. 

Let's start with hormones. 

You have two different sets of hormones: those that produce collagen and elastin, and then there are the hormones that break down collagen and connective tissue in your skin.

The main hormone that does this is cortisol, and cortisol is a catabolic hormone, meaning it breaks down tissue, proteins, and collagen and elastin are proteins.Then, of course, you have the stress component that activates cortisol; 

On the other hand, you have hormones that do the opposite — they are anabolic hormones, like growth hormone, which also has anti-aging and fat-burning effects.But growth hormone has a very specific purpose: to help proteins build muscle, collagen, connective tissue, etc.

There are three main ways to increase growth hormone

High-intensity training and growth hormone

High-intensity training emphasizes the importance of exercise intensity. The more intense the exercise, the greater the stimulation of growth hormone. Therefore, the ideal is to practice activities such as running, high jumping (plyometric rotation) or cycling — any exercise that involves high intensity.

Secret of Efficiency

The key is to keep your workout short to avoid overtraining. The focus should be on high-intensity interval training (HIIT), avoiding sustained high intensity. The idea is to do short bursts of high intensity with plenty of rest in between. You can rest for two, three, four, or even five days to ensure that inflammation and recovery occur properly.

Diet and growth hormone

Glucose inhibits growth hormone, so it is essential to maintain a low-carb diet, such as the ketogenic diet. 

Importance of sleep 

Another crucial factor for growth hormone is getting enough sleep. Adequate sleep not only increases growth hormone production, but also helps reduce stress. Without enough sleep, it will be difficult to increase growth hormone levels, which can become a significant problem.

 Importance of cofactors for collagen and elastin

In addition to insulin, there are essential cofactors for the development of collagen and elastin. 

One of the most important is vitamin A , in the active form of retinol, found in animal products such as egg yolk, cod liver oil, fish oil and butter.Unlike beta-carotene, which is a precursor to vitamin A , active retinol does not need to be converted by the body.

Vitamin A and other nutrients

Vitamin A plays a crucial role in building collagen. 

In addition to vitamin A, other fat-soluble vitamins are equally important for skin health.A low-fat diet can be harmful because it reduces your intake ofA low-fat diet can be harmful because it reduces your intake of these essential vitamins.

Diet and skin health

During my practice, I have observed that some diets, such as the "Ideal Protein" diet, are ketogenic and low in carbohydrates, but also low in fat.

This unhealthy version of the ketogenic diet can result in dehydrated and aged skin. It is crucial to include adequate amounts of fat in your diet to ensure proper absorption of vitamins essential for skin health.

Important cofactors for collagen and elastin

 In addition to the aforementioned vitamin A , iron also plays a crucial role in the synthesis of collagen and elastin, especially in the form of heme iron found in red meat and seafood.This type of iron is highly bioavailable, unlike non-heme iron found in plants, which requires the presence of acid or bile for efficient absorption.

Diet and nutrient sources

From these cofactors, it is evident that a diet rich in non-lean animal products is necessary to ensure adequate intake of retinol and iron.

For those who choose a plant-based vegan diet, it is challenging to obtain these essential nutrients effectively.Especially without consuming excessive amounts of grains rich in omega-6 fatty acids, which can cause inflammation.

Vitamin C and its sources

Another important cofactor is vitamin C , which is essential for collagen formation. It is crucial to obtain vitamin C through concentrated food sources or naturally rich foods such as sauerkraut, bell peppers, and other fruits and vegetables.

 

The synthetic form of vitamin C does not offer the same benefits as the natural form found in whole foods.

Exercise and Neovascularization

Exercise plays a crucial role in skin health by promoting neovascularization, which is the formation of new blood vessels that improve circulation and nutrient delivery.

Additionally, exercise helps build muscle beneath the skin, which can reduce sagging and improve overall appearance.

Prolonged fasting and autophagy

 Prolonged fasting not only stimulates fat burning, but also induces an epigenetic effect on the skin through autophagy.

This process of recycling old and damaged proteins is especially beneficial for people with insulin resistance or pre-diabetes, as it helps reduce glycation and promotes cell turnover.

READ ALSO: Top 10 Teas to Help Manage Diabetes and Ensure Optimal Blood Sugar Control

 

Glycation and its effects on skin health

What is glycation?

Glycation occurs when there is an interaction between blood sugars and proteins, resulting in the formation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs). 

This process can occur in various parts of the body, including the skin, eyes, kidneys, arteries, brain, and nerves.In the context of the skin, glycation can make collagen and elastin less elastic and functional.

 Impacts of Glycation

Glycation negatively affects the elasticity and function of connective tissue, which is essential for healthy skin.Additionally, it can contribute to complications such as high blood pressure if it affects the arteries.

Reduction of glycation with prolonged fasting

Prolonged fasting can help reduce glycation by allowing the body to clear damaged proteins and recycle them. This process can rejuvenate the skin and improve its appearance over time.

Hermetic effect of fasting and other stimuli

In addition to reducing glycation, prolonged fasting creates a hormetic effect in the body, stimulating adaptations that can strengthen skin cells. Other hormetic stimuli include temperature variations, such as applying cold water followed by warm water to the face, which can tighten sagging skin.

Moderate sun exposure

Moderate sun exposure can benefit the skin by creating a hormetic effect that encourages skin health. However, it is crucial to avoid excessive sunburn, especially for people with fair skin who are more prone to sunburn.

Recommendation to improve skin health

Choose one or two of the methods mentioned to start with and continue working on them over time.Prolonged fasting is particularly recommended as it not only helps reduce glycation.

But it can also be supplemented with specific amino acids to aid in the building of connective tissue and elastin during the skin rejuvenation process.

Conclusion

Your skin reflects what’s going on inside your body. Drastically reducing your fat intake can negatively impact your skin health, resulting in visible signs of aging and dehydration.