Skin Sagging: What Causes it and How We Treat It?

Skin sagging is a natural part of the aging process. Fortunately, modern aesthetic technology has brought us a multitude of pain-free non-invasive skin tightening treatment options that can reverse skin sagging, restore youthful firmness, and tackle the other effects of aging with minimal downtime. At American Hospital, we offer a variety of cosmetic treatment options that utilize Fotona 4D Laser and High Intensity-focused Ultrasound (HIFU) to regain skin’s plump appearance and invigorate its natural renewal process.

Skin laxity is a common concern as skin loses its elasticity, firmness, and youthful appearance over time. The skin droops when collagen levels in the dermal layers begin to decline. Collagen is a protein manufactured by the body that provides structure to the skin and supports the skin’s smooth and firm appearance. It is produced in abundance until the early 20s and then starts to deplete and continues throughout life. While the collagen depletion cannot be stopped, several other factors contribute to drooping or wrinkled facial skin; such as:

• Massive weight loss
• Excessive sun exposure
• Environmental pollutants
• Poor skincare
• Excessive drinking or smoking
• Stress, pregnancy, and genetics

However, with a plethora of clinically proven cosmetic treatment options available today, the changes your skin goes through can now be reversed. At American Hospital, our dermatologists are always ahead of the curve, using a variety of laser technologies and energy devices to provide highly effective solutions to patients.

Our personalized treatment plans can effectively promote the production of collagen, reduce skin laxity, and restore firmness to the skin as well as smoothness to the complexion.

Minimally or Non-Invasive Skin Tightening Treatments:

While there are surgical options available to regain the skin’s elasticity and firmness, the minimally-invasive or non-surgical procedures have emerged as the most sought-after treatments for offering quick results, painless experience, and minimal or no damage to the dermal structure with a fast recovery time. Some of the contemporary yet effective skin tightening treatment options are:

• Chemical peels: These chemical solutions work by penetrating only the damaged epidermis (outermost layer of skin), causing it to peel off. It’s their exfoliative effect that promotes new epidermal growth and stimulates collagen production, resulting in tighter, clear-looking, and less wrinkled skin.
• Ablative laser resurfacing: Often called “laser peeling”, it works similarly to chemical peels i.e. removing the outermost layer of the sagging skin. However, the procedure is executed by using a laser that heats the epidermis along with deeper layers beneath it and helps accelerate the production of collagen.
• Ultrasound skin tightening: The procedure utilizes focused ultrasound energy which is transmitted to the area under treatment. The energy warms all skin layers and induces collagen production that eventually uplifts the saggy skin.
• Radiofrequency (RF) treatment: This method focuses on the outer layer only, while the process involves heating the outermost layer with safe energy until the levels of collagen are increased.
• Intense Pulse Light (IPL)/Radio Frequency (RF) Combination treatment: It combines intense pulsed light (IPL) and radiofrequency (RF) to penetrate outer and deeper layers to promote collagen production.
• Neuromodulator: Often referred to as Botox, the substance botulinum is injected into the skin that can plump up the skin and reduce the appearance of wrinkles.

The list continues. However, it is recommended to consult a dermatologist to determine the right treatment for your skin type. An experienced Aesthetica Specialist will begin with the assessment of your skin type, discuss with you all available options along with their pros and cons, take into account your particular needs, and develop an effective personalized skin tightening treatment plan accordingly.

Skin Tightening Treatment Options in American Hospital Centers:

At American Hospital, we use high-end devices like Fotona 4D and High Intensity-focused Ultrasound (HIFU) to assess skin and customize treatments to each patient’s precise needs for optimal outcomes.

Fotona 4D Laser for Skin Tightening: A novel and innovative treatment protocol, the Fotona 4D Laser has been extremely effective in addressing skin laxity and loss of dermal volume. It involves no bruising, burning, or injecting any substance, but four non-ablative lasers to target different dermal layers. The procedure is performed to achieve the following outcomes:

• Plumps and smoothens fine lines around eyes, brows, and nose
• Tightens the skin
• Improves skin texture and complexion
• Reduces the appearance of wrinkles
• Provides obvious and lasting results

High Intensity-focused Ultrasound (HIFU): The device uses focused ultrasound energy at a specific depth to micro ablate different skin layers to tighten saggy dermal tissues. The treatment is recommended for removing unwanted fat from bulky sagging faces, and is aimed to obtain the following results:

• Saggy skin tightening
• Stimulates changes at a cellular level
• Accelerates collagen production

Book an Appointment:

The Aesthetica Clinic at American Hospital brings an array of options - using lasers, radio-frequency, and more advanced techniques for optimal results. If you want to tighten your facial skin and considering a non-surgical treatment, contact us at (+971) 43775500 or fill out a secure online form to schedule an appointment with our Dermatologists today!