Know the types of sagging and how to treat them

Sagging skin is a common thing that affects many people, especially as they age. This is because the skin loses its natural elasticity as we age and can be made worse by factors such as sun exposure, rapid weight loss, pregnancy and other genetic factors. Additionally, it can affect multiple areas of the body, including the face, neck, arms, thighs, and abdomen.

types of sagging

Sagging can be divided into two categories: muscular and dermal. “Muscle pain is caused by lack of physical exercise and inadequate nutrition, which reduces muscle mass, decreasing skin firmness. The dermal, or tissue, can be caused by natural factors, such as excessive exposure to the sun, bad habits such as smoking and inadequate nutrition, or genetic and hormonal factors”, explains Dr. Cláudia Merlo, a doctor specializing in Cosmetology at the BWS Institute and a reference in body care in São Paulo.

Both types of flaccidity can be accompanied by localized fat and cellulite. “Evaluation and indication are always individual so that we can associate the techniques and create an exclusive protocol for the patient, treating all alterations”, points out the doctor.

Differences between muscle and dermal sagging

According to the doctor, both muscle and dermal flaccidity can be treated with healthier lifestyle habits, in addition to potent treatments. However, for treatment, she points out that a good evaluation with a specialist is necessary. “The skin is usually superimposed on the muscle and follows its tone. If the muscle is sagging, the skin also looks sagging, however, if the skin is sagging and the muscle is toned, then the appearance is not as obvious,” explains Dr. Claudia Merlo.

Skin and muscle are different tissues. “To address both, we need to act on each layer. The muscle thickens or ‘grows’ according to the muscular stimulus, the skin does not. A skin it becomes thinner and less firm as it loses its support fibers – the collagen fibers. Its stimulation is done in more superficial layers”, says the doctor. Among the causes of skin sagging are: abrupt weight loss, accordion effect, sedentary lifestyle and physiological aging.

Some treatment options

dermal flaccidity

When the issue is dermal, the doctor indicates the use of Radiesse, an injectable biostimulator, indicated to improve the quality of the skin and that reduces skin sagging. “The substance is applied to promote a controlled inflammation, in order to stimulate the cells that form collagen (fibroblasts) to produce collagen, around 18 months”, says the doctor.

With collagen stimulation, the skin becomes more elastic and firm. “The technique can be combined with microfocused ultrasound, which helps to promote skin tightening, which is that ‘tightening’ of the skin with the muscle, when it becomes firm”, he adds.

muscle flaccidity

Lack of muscle tone can also be treated in a doctor’s office. For this, the HIFEM+ technology of EmSculpt Neo, a non-invasive body shaping device, is used, that is, the procedure works with fat burning and muscle hypertrophy benefits through treatment. “[…] HIFEM+ technology contracts muscle fibers at intensities that are not achievable during physical exercises volunteers,” explains Dr. Claudia Merlo.

By Paula Amoroso