If you have recently lost a great deal of weight or are growing older in age, chances are you have begun to notice areas of saggy skin developing. The skin is a remarkable organ, with the natural ability to stretch and recoil as your body constantly moves and flexes. However, the skin does not stay firm and young forever; it loses its elasticity over time.
Less Collagen
Collagen is an important protein that makes up a large percentage of the connective tissues of your body, especially your skin. Collagen provides your skin with its framework and structure, keeping it tight and young looking. As you age, the body naturally slows down the production of collagen. As this occurs, the skin begins to lose its tightness, resulting in noticeable sagging.
Weakened Elastin
Elastin is another important protein that can be found in the skin and other connective tissues. However, instead of giving structure, elastin provides your skin with the ability to stretch and recoil as your body changes in shape or size or moves throughout the day. As you age, the elastin in your skin naturally breaks down, explains the American Academy of Dermatology. This results in the skin being less able to spring back to its original shape when stretched, resulting in saggy skin.
Photoaging
Spending too much time in the sun without some form of sunblock protection may also contribute to saggy skin. Exposure to the ultraviolet radiation from the sun can speed up the rate at which your skin ages in a process called photoaging. Photoaging damages the cells of your skin, including collagen and elastin, resulting in the development of saggy skin, wrinkles and fine lines.
Weight Loss
High levels of weight loss can also result in sagging skin. When you gain a lot of weight, your skin is often stretched beyond what it's designed to do. As you lose weight, the effects on the skin tissue from extended stretching may result in the skin not fully recoiling back to its original shape. This results in lingering skin folds and sagging skin.
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