Signs your skin is losing elasticity - the simple test
Signs your skin is losing elasticity
An introduction to skin
Our skin is the biggest organ of the body, it functions to protect us in many ways. Made up of water, proteins and minerals it prevents damage from microorganisms, dehydration, ultraviolet light and oxidative stress. It regulates our body temperature and enables sensations like touch. There are multiple layers, the main layers include the epidermis, dermis and hypodermis.
The epidermis
Our epidermis is the top layer that acts as the first barrier, it works to protect against the elements and any infections caused by germs or bacteria that can enter our body and bloodstream. The epidermis also makes new skin, shedding thousands of old skin cells, renewing our skin every 30 days.
The dermis
Our dermis is where our collagen and elastin comes into play. Proteins like collagen and elastin strengthen our skin, keeping it resilient and flexible. Important oil glands sit in the dermis which produce enough natural oil to keep our skin soft, smooth and hydrated. This oil also stops our skin from absorbing too much water.
The hypodermis
The final and deepest layer, the hypodermis, is the fatty layer that protects the muscle and bone by acting as a cushion again injuries, it contains connective tissue that attaches the skin to muscle and bones. This is also the layer that regulates our body temperature.
What is skin elasticity?
Elasticity is our skin’s ability to stretch and move before bouncing straight back into place. This protein is what gives our skin that plump, healthy and smooth appearance. As we age, we begin to lose skin elasticity and this decline begins at about the age of 25, decreasing at a rate of 1-2% per year.
As we approach our 30s and 40s this rate speeds up, especially in our first few years of menopause. At this time the skin loses 30% of it’s collagen and the noticeable changes are what we know as fine lines, wrinkles, sagging and lack of firmness.
How to know if my skin is losing elasticity
You may notice over time that your skin doesn’t look at bouncy as it used to. The first signs of the decline in skin elasticity are visual. Your skin will appear thin, dry, crepe and saggy.
There is a very easy way that you can test your skin’s elasticity, no expensive and complicated tests needed!
Simply place your palm on a flat surface, pinch the skin on the top of your hand for about 5 seconds. The amount of time that your skin takes to bounce back to it’s original position will tell you the level of elasticity still remaining.
Below is an indication of age and the seconds it should take for your skin to go completely flat again.
30 years and under - 1-2 seconds
30-35 years - 3-4 seconds
45-50 years - 5-9 seconds
60-70 years - 10-15 seconds
70 years and over - 35-55 seconds
Another cause of a decrease in elastin in the skin is sudden weight loss. Stretched skin over a long period of time can damage the collagen and elastin fibers of the skin, making it more difficult for the skin to bounce back again.
What can I do to prevent the reduction of elastin in my skin?
Your surrounding environment and lifestyle will effect the elasticity in your skin and how quickly it starts to decline. Some big factors that effect this include regular sun exposure, smoking, diet, hormonal imbalances, weight fluctuations, stress and the natural ageing process. Elasticity of the skin can also be effected by lack of sleep.
Diet impacts elastin loss in two main ways: insufficient nutrients hinder collagen production, and poor diet speeds up collagen degradation. Sugary and refined carb-rich foods can damage collagen, affecting its repair and reproduction. Additionally, dehydration and lack of exercise also reduce skin elasticity.
How can I treat a decline in elasticity?
There are many ways that we prevent and also treat the reduction of skin elasticity. Improving your diet to include more anti-oxidants will help with protection of the skin, foods like berries, leafy greens, walnuts and whole grains are the ideals.
Quitting smoking is a huge benefit for your skin as nicotine accelerates the breakdown of skin-building proteins. This increased break down causes wrinkles, dryness and sagging. Once you quit smoking you will notice your skin becomes smoother and tighter.
Limit your time in the sun! Exposure to UV rays is one of the biggest contributing factors to premature ageing as it severely damages skin cell DNA. By applying 50+ everyday you will keep your skin looking youthful.
Including specific skincare ingredients and clinical treatments into your routine will drastically help to prevent and treat skin elasticity. Vitamin B3, Retinoids and Hyaluronic Acid are some top chosen skincare ingredients. In clinic treatments that will be highly effective are HIFU, RF Fractional Microneedling, Mesotox, Advanced Skin Resurfacing and Ultrasonic Infusions.
Do you want to treat skin sagging and lack of elasticity? Book with us today to discuss your options.
