What is skin laxity?
Skin laxity refers to the loss of firmness and elasticity in the skin, commonly referred to as sagging or loose skin. Instead of appearing tight and smooth, your skin may appear loose, thin, or saggy. Ageing is the most common factor causing skin laxity, as well as weight loss.
Skin laxity from ageing
Our bodies steadily lose collagen from the age of 25, impacting the skin’s elasticity and appearance. This causes our facial structure to start a downward and inward descent which may result in a sunken appearance across five distinct areas: cheeks, eyes, around the nose and mouth, jawline, and jowl area, often leading us to look more tired than we actually are.
Skin laxity or sagging is particularly common for the skin on the neck and décolletage which is prone to premature ageing as it’s three times thinner than the skin on the face, with many people seeking treatment for their jowl area and neck as they age.
Skin laxity from weight loss
Weight loss can lead to noticeable changes in the face as fat stores decrease. These changes can seem more pronounced when associated with rapid weight loss caused by prescription medications (GLP-1 medications). Because the face contains delicate fat pads that contribute to fullness and contours, rapid or significant weight loss can result in a leaner, more angular appearance, sometimes described as “facial deflation.”
While some people welcome the more sculpted look, others perceive it as tired or aged due to reduced volume around the eyes and midface. Facial fat also helps maintain aesthetic balance, when it’s lost rapidly, features may look disproportionate—cheeks and temples hollow out, and the jawline becomes less defined, disrupting overall facial harmony.
The skin’s natural fat layer helps keep skin hydrated and supple. As these fat reserves decline, the skin retains less moisture, resulting in a drier, duller complexion.
These changes are not unique to GLP-1 medications but are more apparent when weight loss occurs quickly or at a larger scale, causing a disconnect between a person’s perception of the positive changes occurring in their body and the unwanted changes of sagging and ageing in their face.
Can you prevent or reduce skin laxity with diet and exercise?
You can’t completely stop the progression of skin laxity but there are ways to support healthier, firmer-looking skin:
- Regular exercise can reduce skin laxity in various ways. By building muscle mass, you can provide a support and structure for your skin; by losing excess weight you may prevent or reduce the onset of sagging. The increased blood circulation and increased nutritional delivery to blood cells beneath the skin can also stimulate collagen production, resulting in healthier skin.
- Prioritising antioxidants, Vitamin A and Vitamin C either through diet and/or skincare can help stimulate collagen and protect against free radicals. Using a SPF, protecting your skin from sun damage and external aggressors can lead to healthier skin functioning, fewer fine lines and wrinkles and a more youthful appearance.
Treatment options
At Artisan, we have treatment options for common conditions associated with ageing and weight loss. Skin laxity is a natural outcome of ageing, growth, and transformation but you can take steps to reduce the visible signs by maintaining your collagen and elasticity. The best approach is one that aligns with your personal goals, health, and wellbeing.
Skin tightening treatments Thermage and Ultraformer III
Collagen boosting treatments Skin Needling, Clear + Brilliant®, Laser Genesis
Fraxel®, Skin Needling, Clear + Brilliant®, Consultation for Wrinkles and Fine Lines with a Cosmetic Nurse or Doctor
Consultation for Volume Loss with a Cosmetic Nurse or Doctor
Book a consultation at Artisan to learn what treatments and products may be best suited to you.