MEANING – SKIN LAXITY
Skin Laxity generally attacks all skin types and all age groups irrespective of both men and women. The common causes of Skin Laxity include natural aging, diet, stress, genetics, lifestyle, weight fluctuations, sun exposure, exposure to environmental toxins, and smoking resulting in loss of collagen and elastin in the skin. The breakdown of these skin-binding fibers often causes laxity which increases over years. However, a trauma or an accident, especially individuals who have suffered an injury to the joints or ligaments which remain unhealed can also lead to Skin Laxity.
CAUSES OF SKIN LAXITY
Generally, Skin Laxity can occur anywhere on the body. As we get older with age, so does our skin. When the skin becomes so loose it hangs, the patient is diagnosed with laxity. The natural breakdown of collagen and elastic fibers in the skin causes the skin to lose its firmness and elasticity. Also, loss of fat or migration downwards results in skin sagging over certain prominent areas like the eyelids, under the eyes (eye bags), the lower cheeks (jowls), and the neck. It affects targeted areas by increasing fine, crinkly lines and wrinkles, causing puffiness and bags under the eyes, and intensifying the appearance of cellulite
SYMPTOMS OF SKIN LAXITY
Some of the common symptoms of laxity are frequent sprained ankles, shoulder dislocations, knee effusions and chronic back problems. In young women who have ligament negligence, pain is usually related to some minor sprains. Afflicted people are more at risk of bone dislocations and sometimes report pain from inactive jobs.
TREATMENTS OFFERED FOR SKIN LAXITY
Non-Surgical Treatments like skin tightening uses heat such as radio waves, heat, lasers, and ultrasound to heat the deeper layers in the skin to stimulate contraction of fibrous bands (septae) in the skin, which directly stimulates the formation of new collagen. The advantage is very minimal downtime and side effects. However, this treatment is useful for mild skin laxity to provide toning of the skin.
For excessive Laxity, Surgical Treatment is the best remedy over non-surgical. Surgical devices like FDA- approved Ultherapy which uses micro-focused ultrasound for skin tightening to lift the skin on the neck, chin, and brow. Radio frequency (RF) devices like Thermage, 3DEEP and Protégé Elite can be used to instigate collagen remodeling and tighten the skin. Microneedle treatments, such as Intensif RF, Microneedle or Profound use tiny needles to penetrate the skin and directly deliver radio frequency energy in deep layers to promote skin regeneration and tightening. Also, it can be combined with other treatments like botulinum toxin or filler injections for best results.