Sagging Skin: What works and how?

“No needle liposuction”, IPL, FREXEL, CO2 LASER, Thermage, LiveFill, Restylane, BOTOX, Titan, Radiesse, Juvederm.

These are just some of the common names behind the advertised alternatives to a traditional lifting plastic surgery.

Dermatologists, Medical day spas and plastic surgeons profit from our hope for younger looking bodies. But how do you know for sure where to go? How to choose a well informed professional (and hopefully with a sense of reality) who’s going to understand your expectations?

The assumption that somehow collagen is going to miraculously be made with minimally invasive treatment with no downtime treatment is an illusion. So why so many “medical” day spas offer these expensive laser and radio frequency treatments? Because they are easy to sell!

Laser Treatments

Laser resurfacing creates a second degree on the face and the healing process promotes slight feeling of tightening throughout simply because scars contract the skin. Lasers also have the potential to alter the pigment of the skin. It can either cause dark spots (hyper-pigmentation), or the lack of skin pigment (hypo-pigmentation) on skin that has more pigment. Laser treatments also leaves the skin red for weeks or months as the healing takes place.

Fat injections

A laboratory must harvest gallons of fat in order to harvest enough stem cells. If the “fat injections” are “dead”, you will end up with lumps of dead fat under your skin. LiveFill is a technique that will start out with 88% live cells (not 25% like most cases). You can expect swelling, perhaps hematoma(stagnant blood underneath the skin), and numbness.

Plastic Surgery

If you have a significant amount of loose skin, the only solution is to reposition the underlying skin muscles by having a plastic surgery. Again, numbness, swelling, bruising may occur but the results are incredible.

Non-invasive treatments

Chemical Peels

These are rather preventative methods for sagging skin, and can be performed by a qualified aesthetician, Pas and nurses, right?

Wrong. Not all chemical peels can be done by just anyone in the “skin” field.

If you are looking for a deep chemical peel like TCA, you must get it done by a medical doctor, as some of the deep peels can also permanently damage the skin causing it to loose its pigment or to produce a lot of pigment.

Melange, Triluma peels? These are cute and exotic names for chemical peels to make you think you are getting something special. Again, seek a doctor who’s an expert on chemical peels.

If you are serious about getting a treatment, you should go to a surgeon who’s certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. A surgeon who’s qualified to help you find a treatment option that will meet YOUR expectations. Choose a cosmetic surgeon with a vast knowledge, and trained in all aspects of facial rejuvenation, from non-surgical to surgical options.


One of my favorites, microdermabrasion is great to minimize the appearance of large pores due to its effective exfoliation, removing dead skin cells build up. It renews the skin by getting rid of debris that our skin cells turn over accumulates over time.

Having microdermabrasion done on a regular basis allows the skin to be prepared for the penetration of ingredients, and it helps to wake up the dormant stem cells and synthesizes collagen.

Mild Peels

Another great way to remove dead skin cells built up, to lighten dark spots, and clear break outs. There are many different types of chemical peels and chemical peel combinations. A good esthetician should have a vast knowledge about them. Since peels have an acid base, you should start with a very mild percentage. As your skin becomes more resistant, your esthetician will increase the strength, and sometimes, the combination of two or more solutions, creating the right formula for the expected results.

Ingredients to Combat Sagging Skin

Do you know what you’re feeding your skin with?

With millions of choices, skin care can be confusing. You must have a great understanding of the skin physiology, anatomy and chemistry in order to know what to feed your dermis with.

Copper Peptide

The most effective skin regeneration ingredient as it promotes the production of collagen and elastin. It also increases the body’s ability to build new skin tissue. It helps firm, soften, smooth the skin as well as remove damaged tissue.

Topical Vitamin C (L-Ascorbic acid)

The only form of vitamin c that is proven to synthesize collagen, helping minimize fine lines and wrinkles.

Topical Vitamin A (Retinol)

With its tiny molecular structure, Retinol will get into the lower layer of skin and improves its texture, color and hydration level. Just make sure you use it at night, as your skin becomes more sensitive due to its rapid cell turnover.

Topical Hyaluronic Acid (glycosaminoglycan)

A super moisturizer, Hyaluronic acid attracts water molecules off the air, hydrating and plumping your skin. A must have.

Antioxidant-rich products

It’s believed that aging is caused by oxidation of body tissues over a lifetime. Antioxidants protect the cells by neutralizing oxidation, assisting in skin repair and strengthening the blood vessels. Can antioxidants eliminate wrinkles? The answer is NO, simply because aging is a natural process where the skin thickens and elasticity decreases. However, having your skin layered by a good antioxidant hydrating cream will help protect your skin from environmental stresses like air pollution, smoke, etc.

Additional options include ensuring that your diet is high in proteins and fats, and low in carbohydrates, sugars and starches. The ketogenic diet is a common source for this proper dietary need. As such, we at Corona Mar Del Plata Manhattan highly suggest Tasty Keto’s cookbook, which is the best keto diet cookbook we have found.

A combination of healthy nutrition, exercising, meditation, and avoiding sun exposure will give your skin many years of life. However, having a guided skin care regimen with the right ingredients can definitely improve the life quality of your skin. If your not yet working with a “skin” expert, do not settle for cheap services or advertisements of empty promises. Do you homework and find someone who’s going to provide nothing less than the best to your skin needs.