Sagging or loose skin primarily happens due to external or internal factors that affect the essential skin molecules that keep your skin hydrated, firm, and supple. Fine lines, wrinkles, slackening and sagging skin on face (chin, jaws, eyelids) in particular and other parts of body (throat, upper arms, stomach, thighs, legs etc.) is an unwanted sight and makes people worrying over their appearance. They also need to know whether skin is losing its natural firmness and elasticity due to sudden weight loss, aging, pregnancy, indigestion, ailments, or any other factors. However, with the help of Ayurvedic remedies, they can achieve firm skin and regain your youthful charm.

What is meant by sagging skin?

Many of us begin to experience skin loosening or laxity in our middle age of 35-40 and takes bad shape due to increasing age, deterioration of elastin fibers, collagen and hyaluronic acid. Once the normal level of collagen begins to decrease in your body, the fat tissues in the deep skin layers also begin to decrease. This results in a vacant gap under the skin layers, which leads to sagging or drooping of your skin where it earlier used to be compact. Several lifestyle choices may cause wrinkles to appear earlier on your face such as unhealthy diet with consumption of processed food, sudden weight gain and loss, exposure to UV rays, smoking, and genetic factor.

How to tighten sagging skin on face and other parts of the body?

As per Ayurveda several factors determine your skin’s youthfulness and health including moisture balance (a well-balanced Kapha), proper regulation of metabolic activities which harmonize hormonal and chemical reactions in your skin (a well-balanced Pitta), and regulation of nutrients and blood circulation to the various skin layers (a well-balanced Vata).

The overall health of your skin depends on the three Dhatus (classes of body tissues) namely muscle (Mamsa gives structural support to your skin and keeps it firm), blood (Rakta in collaboration with the liver activity, aids in detoxifying toxins from your skin), and nutritional flow (Rasa provides nutrition to all your body tissues and keeps it healthy and supple).

For Vyadhihara (healing and curative) therapies, consult an Ayurvedic or Homeopathic doctor and any one at home can use Urjaskara (promotive) therapies/ home remedies.

What are the Urjaskara (promotive) home remedies tor sagging skin?

Oil Massage:  Use lukewarm oils for massaging at least 5-10 minutes because it calm down the aggravated and imbalanced doshas and gives a sense of comfort while applying. Massaging 1) Vata body with sesame oil/olive oil/almond oil for 4-5 days in a week. 2) Pitta body with coconut oil (except winter season)/sunflower oil for 3-4days. 3) Kapha body with safflower oil for 1-2 days not only restores your skin’s firmness, but also enhances your complexion by clearing blemishes and smoothens the appearance of wrinkles. After massaging, dip a clean cloth in lukewarm water and wipe it gently or take a bath with lukewarm water without any chemical body wash.

Aloe Vera Gel: It is one of the most effective home remedies to restore your skin’s elasticity with a high amount of malic acid.  Apply pure Aloe Vera gel or its combination with any oil and honey and leave it to dry for 15-20 minutes, cleanse using lukewarm water at least for 3-4 times in a week.

What foods to eat for skin tightening?

Sagging skin is just a lack of collagen or gut flora problem. We need to have good bacteria in our gut to digest good amount of collagen from our foods and given it to our muscles and body to maintain the good tone of the skin. You get good bacteria from yogurt, fermented foods, sauerkraut, apple cider vinegar (put 1 tbsp. apple cider vinegar in a glass of water, drink it in the morning empty stomach or 30 minutes after food or use it on our salad). It helps in digestion and maintains PH level of your gut. After this go for getting collagen from foods and exercises.

1) Foods Containing Vitamin C: Dark, green vegetables and citrus fruits help to produce collagen and their antioxidant properties stops damaging of elastin and collagen by free radicals. 2) Foods Containing Zinc Whole grains, nuts, and oysters help to produce collagen in the body. 3) Sweet Potatoes & Carrots: are a rich source of Vitamin A that repairs collagen tissues and beta-carotene that fights the free radicals in the sunlight. 4) Garlic contains sulfur, taurine, and lipoic acid that helps in the production of collagen in your body. 5) Tomatoes are a powerhouse of antioxidants, such as red carotenoids/lycopene that prevents free radicals from damaging your skin and enhances your defense mechanism against inflammation and oxidative stress. 6) Bell Peppers have Zinc and Vitamin C that are responsible for your skin’s elasticity and preserving the natural collagen found in the skin. 7) Egg Whites contain proline and lysine amino acids that are the building blocks of collagen in your body.

How long does it take skin to tighten?

The actual time for your skin to regain its firmness depends on the factor/s that affected your skin sagging. It might take 2-3 months to 1 year.

What are the preventive measures to minimize the chances of a sagging skin?

1. Try to sleep on your back, not on your stomach and at least 8 hours every night.

2. Avoid harsh facial expressions such as frowning.

3. Use a good sunscreen especially on your face and neck region.

4. Reduce your alcohol intake and quit smoking for a healthy and supple skin.

5. Minimize your stress levels by meditating or practicing deep breathing Yoga and do 30-45

    minutes exercise for overall good health and skin.

6. Use natural and Ayurvedic creams which contain Vitamin C, Vitamin E, and retinoids.

7. Drink enough water to nourish and hydrate your skin as well as expel toxins.

8. Follow a healthy diet rich with antioxidants, vitamins and minerals.

What are the best homeopathic remedies for skin sagging?

Even though homeopathy is an individual case based medical system, we can suggest some common

and effective remedies for enhancing the collagen production that is needed for skin tightening such as Calceria flourica, Silicea, Natrum muriaticum (for Mediterranean people), to take in their lower potencies 6x or 12x. Echinacea mother tincture and cassea sopheraa can be used as an external application for skin tightening and collagen production. Besides, make sure to stick to healthy diets, healthy lifestyle practices, exercises, and a proper and regular skin care regimen.