There are many causes of sagging skin, but they are mainly linked to aging, oxidative stress and external aggravating factors such as smoking, pregnancy and sun exposure.
1. Internal causes
Collagen depletion: Collagen is a protein that contributes to skin health and vitality. With age, the collagen fiber content that ensures good tissue tone diminishes. At the same time, our bodies have difficulty producing new collagen. The skin gradually loses its firmness: it sags and becomes slack.
Reduced elastic fibers: Located in the tissues, elastic fibers, composed of elastin, play a major role in skin quality. While collagen is responsible for the firmness of skin tissue, the latter is responsible for its elasticity. Elastin fibers can also be altered and diminish with age.
Hyaluronic acid depletion: Hyaluronic acid, naturally present in the body, helps hydrate tissues to counter skin aging. From our thirties onwards, its content in our body gradually decreases. The progressive loss of hyaluronic acid contributes to a loss of tissue volume and consequent sagging of the skin.
Blood circulation: Aging is generally accompanied by a slowdown in blood circulation: tissue oxygenation is therefore much less effective, favoring loss of elasticity in skin tissue.
Hormonal changes: Levels of the various hormones (testosterone, estrogen, progesterone…) required for proper tissue function decline over the years. This accelerates in women during the menopause, when estrogen levels drop sharply: skin withers, wrinkles appear and deepen.
2. External causes
Sun exposure: Photoaging is the premature aging of the skin. UV rays alter the DNA of skin cells, particularly fibroblasts. Collagen and elastin production is reduced, skin dries out and becomes less firm.
Smoking and alcohol: Skin aging is greatly accelerated by smoking and alcohol consumption.
Poor diet: A diet low in antioxidants and essential fatty acids can lead to the premature appearance of wrinkles and sagging skin.
Significant weight loss: Rapid and significant weight loss, as well as “yo-yo” dieting, can have an impact on skin quality. Fat loss during dieting (disappearance of adipocytes), combined with a lack of skin elasticity, can lead to sagging skin.
Pregnancy: During pregnancy, skin tissues are greatly distended, particularly around the abdomen. Although skin is characterized by its great elasticity, it can nevertheless retain a withered appearance.