Sagging Skin Treatment for Women and Men | Anti-Aging Facelift, Eye Lift, Tummy Tuck | Cosmetic Plastic Surgery

Sagging Skin in Women and Men

As we get older, our skin changes. Loose or sagging skin is one of the problems that can develop. Flapping skin occurs because the skin has lost its elasticity. It may also happen due to frequent weight gains and losses.

Sagging or loose skin occurs because the skin has lost its elasticity. Skin can sag for many reasons.

• aging
• gravity
• loss of collagen and elastin
• smoking
• pregnancy
• large amount of weight-loss and weight-gain

Sagging skin and cosmetic surgery

If any of these has left you with flapping skin, there are several treatment options to get back younger looking skin. Sometimes, exercise can help to tone the skin and firm it, by building the underlying muscle. There are a number of plastic or cosmetic surgery procedures that can help. Cosmetic fillers or Botox can help with some wrinkles. If that doesn't work, body sculpting options or facial cosmetic surgery such as a face lift can be considered. Surgical lifts involve incisions, through which excess fat and skin are removed, and the skin is then contoured and re-draped. Liposuction involves incisions through which excess fat is removed, and may be performed on the abdomen, hips, thighs, calves, arms, buttocks, back, neck, or face. A procedure called Thermage (also called Thermacool or Thermalift) uses radio frequency energy to heat collagen under the skin.

Loose sagging skin can happen in many places:

Sagging underarm skin - If the skin between your armpit and elbow sags or flaps, you can try exercises such as push-ups to build the tricep or underarm muscle. If this doesn't work, you can talk with your doctor about cosmetic surgery. Liposuction may be an option if there is excess fat. An arm lift - or brachioplasty - can combine with liposuction to remove excess fat and skin.

Sagging loose neck skin - This is sometimes called wattles or jowls. Cosmetic surgery solutions include face-lifts and mini-face-lifts. This type of surgery pulls the skin so that it is taut again. Liposuction can also be used, if there is extra fat that is causing the problem. Tumescent liposuction is a newer type of liposuction that was designed to better control post operative bruising, swelling and pain.

Sagging or droopy eyelids - As the eyelids stretch and the muscles around them get weaker, the skin can start to droop, which creates a hooding effect. Eyelid surgery called blepharoplasty can fix this problem. Upper eyelid blepharoplasty removes excess skin, muscle and fat. The scar is hidden inside the natural fold of the upper eyelid.

Sagging or puffy under eye skin - We can also develop sagging or puffy skin under the eyes. In lower eyelid blepharoplasty, a plastic surgeon removes excess, sagging skin and fatty tissue via small incisions under the eye. The small incisions and sutures are designed to minimize scarring as much as possible. Read more about cosmetic eye surgery.

Saggy tummy - Tummy tuck surgery or abdominoplasty can reduce the sagging skin and fat from your midriff. If your belly is bulging, abdominoplasty or liposuction can be considered for loose redundant skin and stretched muscles. The tumescent liposuction technique is a newer liposuction method that was designed to better control post operative bruising, swelling and pain.

Sagging facial skin/Face Lift - A face lift or rhytidectomy removes excess fat, tightens underlying muscles, and redrapes the skin of your face and neck. Plastic surgeons say the best candidates are those whose facial skin has begun to sag, but who still have elasticity in their skin, with strong bone structure. A full facelift is surgery that addresses the entire face, including the:

• the forehead and upper eyelids
• the mid face and lower eyelids
• the lower face and lips
• the neck

A mini-face-lift deals with specific areas of the cheeks, neck and the jowls, without targeting the full face.

Before considering cosmetic surgery for sagging skin, a doctor will take your medical history, as well as photographs from various angles. You also need to talk with your doctor about what you expect the surgery to accomplish. And you should discuss possible risks such as hematoma, infection and anesthesia complications.

Prior to the surgery, make sure you follow a healthy diet. Ask your doctor about any medications you might be taking, both prescription and over-the-counter. It's also important that you use good sun protection, such as sunblock or sun protective clothing. This is essential both before surgery as well as after.

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Updated May 2008

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