The secret of youth: how to restore facial skin elasticity

• Reasons for decreased skin turgor
• Improving skin turgor by normalizing water balance in the body
• Traditional first aid kit recipes for increasing skin turgor at home
• 9 rules for applying masks to restore skin turgor
• Lifehacks to maintain skin turgor elasticity
• Cosmetology in the fight for good skin turgor

Behind the fancy term “skin turgor” lies the familiar elasticity of the epidermis. In fact, it can characterize the degree of elasticity of cellular tissues. In a healthy person, skin turgor is normal; a decrease or increase can interfere with natural cellular respiration or indicate tissue imbalance. Due to these disorders, the epidermis becomes flabby and loses its healthy color, which can result in various skin diseases and inflammations.

The state of turgor can be assessed on any part of the body. You just need to grab a small piece of skin with two fingers, pull lightly and release. If the tissues quickly return to their original position, everything is fine. If even after a minute the skin has not returned to its original appearance, this indicates that the skin turgor is reduced and it is time to begin measures to stabilize it. You will find out how from this article.

Skin turgor

Cell turgor depends on the ratio of osmotic (created by substances that attract water) pressure inside the cell and the pressure exerted on the cell from the outside, the elasticity properties of the cell wall.
The osmotic index depends on the composition of the substances that make up the cellular and extracellular fluid. Considering that changes begin gradually at the cellular level, it is not possible to determine them visually at the initial stage.

And they will be obvious with significant changes. The body resists for a long time, they compensate. But age-related changes lead to depletion of compensatory capabilities.

Find the answer

Are you having any problem? Enter “Symptom” or “Name of the disease” into the form, press Enter and you will find out all the treatment for this problem or disease.

Causes of loss of skin elasticity

A number of factors lead to the destruction of the skin framework.

• Slowdown of metabolic processes (less and less substances necessary for this are produced).
• Improper care can lead to damage to the protective hydrolipid layer of the skin and resulting loss of moisture.
• External factors. Free radicals formed under unfavorable environmental conditions damage skin cells.
• Solar radiation. Under the influence of ultraviolet radiation, collagen fibers become coarser.
• Unbalanced diet. Lack of protein slows down collagen production. And an excess of sugars leads to their glycation (gluing).

Excess sugar in the diet is also a cause of loss of skin elasticity. © iStock

Elasticity and resilience

Skin elasticity is determined by factors:

1. Skin type.
   This is an indicator of the characteristics of all metabolic processes in it. It determines the time of onset of changes that are associated with age. The dry type is most susceptible to age-related changes. It needs additional hydration at a young age. The fatty type, despite its shortcomings, resists aging longer.
2. Health status.
   If a person suffers from chronic pathologies that affect the organs, this cannot but affect the skin, which is considered a separate organ of the body. The release of toxic, waste metabolites occurs through the lungs and skin. If, due to various reasons, the permeability of the epithelium is impaired, then these substances can be retained in the skin layers.
3. Hormonal balance. It has been proven that the production of elastin, collagen, and the functioning of the sebaceous glands depend on the level of hormones. With age, changes in the synthesis of many hormones - estrogen, progesterone - decrease, which leads to skin changes.
4. The amount of fluid, when the body is dehydrated, the skin will suffer.
5. Age-related changes. Over time, the ability of cells to synthesize substances necessary for turgor and the ability to retain moisture suffers.
6. Ecology. A dry climate helps the skin dry out faster, air filled with dust helps fill the pores and disrupt their excretory function. The result of this is inflammatory processes, dermatological diseases, aging.
7. Lifestyle, bad habits. This also includes the culture of daily facial care, a scrupulous approach to the choice of cosmetics and cosmetic procedures.

Skin elasticity depends on heredity and race.

Reasons for decreased tone of the epidermis

A decrease in skin turgor can occur for the following reasons:

• dehydration of the epidermis;
• lack of moisture;
• fibroblast passivity and their inability to synthesize collagen and elastin in the required quantities;
• intoxication of the body;
• chronic bacteriosis, which leads to dehydration of the body;
• inability to retain water in cells;
• chronic stress;
• chronic fatigue and insomnia;
• oxygen starvation;
• diseases of internal organs (liver, heart, digestive system, kidneys);
• diets and fasting;
• bad habits (smoking and alcohol).

Symptoms of a structural disorder

The following changes indicate a violation of turgor:

1. Decreased elasticity. It is characterized by the need for a longer time for the skin to return to its original state after pressure is applied to it. For example, marks from the folds of the bed on the face after sleep.
2. The appearance of wrinkles. Their appearance is not influenced by active facial expressions, but by the level of elastin and collagen. With age, their synthesis slows down.
3. Dullness. With normal turgor, the skin is soft, velvety, and radiant.
4. Peeling.
5. Edema.

Cosmetics and turgor improvement

You can increase your tone not only with the help of nutrition. To improve it, hardware cosmetology procedures are used.

The following procedures improve skin turgor well:

1. Mesotherapy. The essence of the procedure is the introduction of meso-cocktails under the skin, depending on the problem that needs to be eliminated. The composition of the cocktails is selected by the cosmetologist individually for each patient.
2. Acupuncture. Manipulation with thin needles helps improve the tone of the epidermis. During the procedure, biologically active points are innervated.
3. Ozone therapy. The essence of the procedure is the intravenous administration of ozone, which promotes the regeneration of tissues and cells, renewal and rejuvenation of the body as a whole.
4. Microcurrents and myostimulation. Low frequency microcurrents have a mild therapeutic effect. As a result, blood circulation and lymphatic drainage improve, blood supply increases, which tightens the epidermis and makes it firm and elastic.
5. Photolifting. It provides specific radiation to the dermis, after which its condition improves and the production of elastin and collagen increases.
6. Biorevitalization. This popular procedure involves introducing hyaluronic acid into the deep layers of the dermis. It improves the tone of the dermis, enhances metabolic and regenerative processes.

Also, the modern cosmetic market offers many drugs to improve facial turgor. But to improve turgor, creams alone will not be enough. To do this, it is necessary to improve the functioning of the hormonal system. You can also use masks, creams and serums in tandem to improve skin tone.

Cosmetic massage, self-massage and contrast showers, which improve blood circulation and microcirculation, have a good effect.

Among the cosmetic preparations the following can be noted:

1. Mousse from the Skincode brand “Cellular Body Firming Mousse” restores elasticity and firmness to the skin, tightens soft tissues and improves their structure.
2. Cream from the Estee Lauder brand “Slim Shape+” will help tighten the epidermis and make it smooth.
3. An effective anti-aging cream-body gel from the Darphin brand “HydroForm Contouring Gel” perfectly eliminates cellulite, makes the skin even, smooth and elastic.

Prevention

Despite the many reasons why skin elasticity may deteriorate, it can be improved.
Directions:

1. Use of cosmetics. Well selected according to age and skin type. Natural options are helpful.
2. Vitamins. They should be used both internally and externally as part of cosmetic products.
3. The use of phytoestrogens.
   Skin aging occurs due to a decrease in the synthesis of sex hormones, estrogen, progesterone. The use of cosmetic medicinal products containing phytoestrogens is recommended. These are plant substances that are close to the structure of human hormones and can perform some of their functions. It is recommended to use them internally. They only help improve the skin and make menopause easier. There is no need to use them at a young age during pregnancy, or for those who are planning it.
4. Hyaluronic acid. This substance is produced normally in the skin. With age, its level decreases. It is involved in the synthesis of proteins necessary to maintain turgor. Its main function is to retain moisture in the upper layers of the skin.
   It adsorbs water on itself and stores it in the epidermis in the form of a gel. It is included in many cosmetic products and procedures. The benefits of its presence in creams are questionable.

   Its molecules are large enough to penetrate the top layer of skin. Its most effective administration is via subcutaneous injection. Mesotherapy techniques are based on this.

5. Biorevitalization. The method is injection or laser administration of hyaluronic acid, stimulating the synthesis of elastin and collagen.
6. Massage.
   To improve turgor, different types of massage are recommended. The use of vacuum massage is effective. At home, you need to rub the skin with a hard sponge and use a contrast shower. Massage with ice cubes is effective for the face. Massage improves microcirculation, which helps optimize the delivery of oxygen to skin cells through the blood, necessary for metabolic processes and nutrients. To improve the effect, you can use medicinal oils (argan, wheat germ).
7. Mimic gymnastics. There are many positive reviews about this technique. Performed regularly, it preserves youth for a long time.
8. Lifestyle. You should not expect that the use of any procedures will give good results if you have an unhealthy lifestyle with smoking, lack of physical activity, and fresh air. Direct sunlight should be avoided. They accelerate the aging process by damaging the fragile collagen structure.

The role of hydration in facial skin care

It is well known that water is the source of life. It helps the skin maintain a blooming and healthy appearance. When water enters the gastrointestinal tract, it is absorbed into the blood, and from the blood enters the cells and intercellular space. And now it seems that the dream of eternally elastic and youthful skin has been realized. However, not all so simple. The water content in the dermis depends not only on the water drunk and entered into the body. An important characteristic of the skin is its ability to retain water, as well as the proper functioning of the kidneys and osmotic pressure in the cells. The first thing that can be done to improve the tone of the epidermis is to maintain the balance of the lipid mantle substances, which prevents evaporation and moisture loss.

It is the imbalance of lipid mantle substances and hydration that contribute to the failure of dehydration of the skin, and in short to dryness. But there is good news: dry and dehydrated skin is a reversible condition. Since over the years the skin retains water less and less well, its turgor deteriorates, so outside help is needed.

There is a misconception that oily skin is never dehydrated. However, it is not. Any skin type can be dehydrated, and in this case the words dry and dehydrated are not synonymous. Dry skin suffers not so much from a lack of moisture, but from damage to the protective hydrolipid mantle. That is, sometimes it no longer lacks moisture, but fat.

Hyaluronic acid helps prevent moisture loss. It is a natural component of the intercellular space, binds water molecules and promotes the regeneration of skin cells.

Hyaluronic acid is capable of:

• influence the synthesis of collagen and elastin;
• transport water through the cells and tissues of the dermis;
• redistribute water in the intercellular space, cells and tissues.

Changes in diet

It is recommended to exclude bread, baked goods, fast food and other unhealthy foods high in fat and cholesterol.
Priority is given to fruits, vegetables, fish, olive oil, herbal teas, and fresh juices. The volume of liquid you drink per day should be at least 2 liters.

In old age, foods containing phytoestrogens should be included in the diet:

• Soy;
• Spinach;
• Dairy products.

Products that replace natural hormones help the formation of hyaluronic acid and collagen.

Masks against age-related changes

How to increase facial turgor at home?
You need to use anti-aging masks for mature skin yourself. For example, options:

1. You will need regular food gelatin (10 g), half a glass of heavy cream, a teaspoon of honey and gelatin. Gelatin is mixed with cream and left for several hours until it swells. Then the mass is mixed with honey and glycerin. The resulting mixture is applied to the face in an even layer. After 20 minutes, the mask is washed off with warm water. The mask mixture can be stored in the refrigerator for about a week.
2. You need to mix a glass of boiled and mashed beans with 30 ml of lemon juice, 10 ml of vegetable oil. The mask is applied to the face for a quarter of an hour.
3. The white of a raw egg is mixed with oatmeal in equal proportions. Add a spoonful of starch to the resulting mass. Mix everything and leave it on your face for a quarter of an hour.

After washing off these masks, you need to apply a contrast shower to your face.

Skin turgor is easily lost. It is much more difficult to restore it. But it can be significantly improved and maintained satisfactorily for a long time in old age.

Vitamins that improve skin turgor

Skin turgor is its integral characteristic, including its firmness and elasticity, resistance to mechanical stress, that is, pulling or compression. The better the turgor of our skin, the softer it is, the more radiant and smooth it looks.

Many chemical reactions take place in it, and vitamins are necessary for almost all of them. These are substances that activate and accelerate biochemical processes.

Their lack leads to premature aging of the skin, the appearance of wrinkles, dryness, and peeling. You can improve turgor and correct emerging problems if you start drinking vitamins that are necessary to maintain skin tone.

This:

1. Vitamin A (retinol), which improves cell growth and development, has powerful antioxidant and antitumor properties.
2. Vitamin E (tocopherol) is a unique vitamin that is essential for the skin, it slows down the aging process, rejuvenates the body, it activates tissue respiration, dilates blood vessels, and improves blood supply.
3. Vitamin C (ascorbic acid), a strong antioxidant, accelerates regeneration processes, removes toxins, takes part in the synthesis of collagen protein, which is responsible for skin elasticity, and regulates metabolism.
4. Vitamin PP (nicotinamide) is involved in redox processes and helps tissue growth. In terms of its usefulness, this vitamin is equal to medications.
5. Vitamin F (F) cleanses the body, removes toxins and waste from it, which normalizes the condition of the skin, reduces the likelihood of acne and skin diseases, softens and strengthens the skin.
6. Vitamin B1 (thiamine) slows down the aging process, helps speed up regeneration, tissue growth, and improves blood microcirculation through capillaries.
7. Vitamin B2 (riboflavin) improves the functioning of energy mechanisms, takes part in metabolic processes, smoothes wrinkles and normalizes skin color.
8. Vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid, panthenol) takes an active part in metabolic processes and the synthesis of fatty acids. With its deficiency, a sharp deterioration in the condition of the skin occurs, nails and hair fall out.
9. Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine). Thanks to it, many reactions occur, without which the normal condition of the skin is impossible.
10. Vitamin K is a substance that neutralizes the effects of toxins on our body.

Why does skin lose elasticity?

Carry out an experiment: squeeze a spring with your fingers and feel its resistance. Release and the spring will immediately return to its previous shape. This is how elasticity manifests itself, a physical property responsible for restoring the shape of an object after its deformation.

Collagen fibers in the skin are like springs. Together with elastin fibers and hyaluronic acid, which provides their support, they form the extracellular matrix of the skin. With age, the extracellular matrix - the framework of the skin - undergoes certain changes, and the skin loses its elasticity.

• The synthesis of collagen and elastin decreases.
• The production of moisture-retaining hyaluronic acid is reduced.
• The tight springs of collagen fibers unwind, losing their shock-absorbing properties.
• Modified, defective collagen accumulates in the skin.

“Firmness and elasticity are part of the basic concept of skin tone. The difference between them is small. Collagen, elastin, hyaluronic acid are produced by the same cells - fibroblasts. As the synthesis of one substance increases, the synthesis of the other increases, and vice versa. That is, changes in the production of all these substances are reflected in skin tone.”

The easiest way to check the elasticity of the skin is to pinch it (in the wrist or cheeks). Elastic skin is quite difficult to grasp with your fingers. And after compression, the capture marks instantly disappear.

A bruised face in the morning is the first signal that the skin is losing its elasticity. © iStock

The best cream

Probably everyone remembers the same miracle cream that Azazello gave to Margarita in Bulgakov’s imperishable novel. At the time when this author’s wonderful work was written, no one could have imagined the existence of an anti-aging cream with such a pronounced effect.

Over the years, everything changes; now there are wonderful creams that almost immediately improve the condition of the skin so much that it is immediately noticeable.

The best anti-aging cream at this time is “Lift-Fermete” from Clarins with a combined effect. The cream improves skin turgor, its elasticity, firmness, it also has a regenerative effect, removes stretch marks and scars. The composition contains substances that stimulate the synthesis of elastin and collagen, increasing protective properties.

Effective procedures in beauty salons

Going to a beauty salon gives us back our youth; our skin remains elastic, smooth and soft for a long time. To increase turgor, use:

1. Photolifting is a rejuvenation procedure that is performed without surgery. This is a hardware method of face lifting, the essence of which is special radiation that affects our skin, stimulating the synthesis of melanin and collagen. The skin becomes elastic, soft, its turgor increases sharply, which is visible to the naked eye.
2. Ozone therapy is a new, promising direction. The method allows you to smooth out the skin, remove wrinkles, it improves skin turgor, fights skin diseases, cellulite, removes acne, pimples, and dermatitis. After this procedure, skin health improves and its appearance improves. Ozone therapy is performed on any part of the body.
3. Mesotherapy is an invasive method of rejuvenation and improvement of turgor levels. It is effective, but, fundamentally, is associated with damage to the skin. Its essence is the subcutaneous administration of special active substances that accelerate and normalize metabolic processes in the body. Their action smooths out wrinkles, normalizes the condition of dry and oily skin, tightens pores, fights acne, age spots, acne. After mesotherapy, scars disappear, the oval of the face becomes clear again, spider veins disappear. This procedure is for those who are not afraid of injections and are willing to endure the pain of administering the drug.
4. Myostimulation is a beneficial procedure for the face and body, which consists of passing microcurrents through the skin. It becomes soft, tender, elastic, young, wrinkles are smoothed out, cheeks are tightened. The cheekbones will be more pronounced, the facial contour will improve, swelling, puffiness of the face and figure will disappear. Those who have recently undergone hyaluronic therapy or subcutaneous Botox injection should not sign up for myostimulation at all. Active contractions of the facial muscles will weaken the effect of previous procedures.
5. Acupuncture is an invasive process that looks scary. The benefits of it are obvious. Special thin needles are almost not felt, the injections are completely painless. After this procedure, the skin smoothes out, as if by magic - and if you complete the entire course, you can forget about wrinkles and poor turgor for a long time.

Surgical intervention

This is the most radical method of eliminating sagging and atony. Not everyone resorts to plastic surgery, since it has significant contraindications and side effects. This type of plastic surgery is called platysmoplasty. It is used mainly for pronounced ptosis of soft tissues. Surgical intervention is carried out using two methods:

• traditional (classical);
• endoscopic.

It should be noted that the endoscopic method is the most gentle and leaves behind invisible seams.

So, you can increase skin turgor with the help of hardware procedures, cosmetic products and plastic surgery, but you should not forget about a balanced diet, a healthy lifestyle, good sleep and giving up bad habits. And remember, youth and beauty are the work of a lifetime. The sooner you start taking care of your skin, the longer it will remain young and beautiful.

Pillow marks on the cheek and some morning bruising of the face are the first signals that the skin is losing its elasticity. And it’s not far from wrinkles. We'll tell you what to do to delay age-related changes.

• Why does skin lose elasticity?
• Causes of loss of skin elasticity
• Products for skin elasticity
• Tools Overview
• How to choose a product for skin elasticity
• How to maintain skin elasticity

Recommended home cosmetology

To improve the condition of the skin on your face and body, you don’t need to go to beauty salons. There are many compact, convenient devices that you can use at home whenever you want.

This:

• Devices for microcurrent stimulation;
• Devices that use radio frequency waves to improve turgor;
• Devices whose rejuvenating effect is based on ultrasound;
• Devices that have a laser effect, smooth out wrinkles and stimulate blood circulation;
• Vacuum devices that allow deep cleaning of pores and improve blood circulation;
• Devices for phototherapy;
• Devices that can perform ozone therapy at home;
• There are also devices for ionotherapy.

It may seem that it is easier and less expensive to go to a beauty salon; you use such devices at the moment that seems most convenient, without adjusting to the salon schedule. The devices are easy to use.

Why do you need to wash your face?

Let's start with washing. It is familiar from childhood, however, the simplicity of the procedure is apparent. The tap water we are used to does not provide complete purification. This means that dead cells, urea, and sebum particles remain on the surface.

The procedure is carried out with a special cleansing agent, for example, gel. It is better if there are products from famous companies, rather than mass-market products offered by perfume stores. Brands value their reputation. Their activities are based on clinical trials, often lasting for years.

Toning, nourishing and moisturizing the skin

Next comes toning. Another stage of cleaning, which is mandatory in the morning and evening. Until the age of 25, use your own tonics, after that use other tonic special products. The last category recommends tonics with hyaluronic acid.

Up to 25 years, the composition of tonics should help improve and protect the epidermis. After 25 years, it helps to preserve the structure, the relationship of layers, so you need to carefully study the components of the chosen tonic, taking into account its usefulness. Apply the liquid with cotton pads.

The skin needs nutrition from the age of 25. You need basic nutrition in the form of high-quality creams and additional, using all kinds of serums and cream-fillers for external use. Cosmetic companies offer vitamin C for the epidermis, the benefits of which are discussed in the article. Vitamin C (youth), the familiar ascorbic acid found in foods, is insufficient for the face.

Ascorbic acid, which is administered rectally, is distributed throughout the body, and not specifically to a specific point. To ensure that the epidermis has enough of it, it is applied in strips that are pre-dissolved in the liquid. For greater benefits, the youth vitamin is mixed with serum.

The structure of creams should be different for women 25 and over 45 years old, taking into account dryness and oily skin. As for moisturizing, it is introduced into care starting from adulthood. Each age has its own moisturizing creams.

Tools Overview

Creams

plant cells of youth, tea polyphenols

Moisturizes, smoothes wrinkles, stimulates collagen production.

proxilan, lipohydroxy acid, sun filter complex

Stimulates collagenogenesis, renews skin, reduces wrinkles and age spots.

Cream-serum Forever Youth Liberator Sérum-En-Crème, Yves Saint Laurent

complexes of peptides and glycans

Increases collagen production, prevents glycation processes, restores and smoothes the skin

Daily gel-serum for skin exposed to aggressive external influences, Mineral 89, Vichy

hyaluronic acid, thermal water

Strengthens the skin barrier, moisturizes, and prevents moisture loss.

Intensive moisturizer for normal and combination sensitive skin Hydraphase Intense Légère, La Roche-Posay

low molecular weight hyaluronic acid

It has a gel texture, moisturizes for up to 24 hours, strengthens barrier functions, promotes elasticity, replenishing the required volume.

L-ascorbic and ferulic acids, phloretin

Makes the skin elastic and smooth, increases resistance to aggressive factors, removes wrinkles, improves appearance.

The main indicators of youth and beauty of female representatives are skin elasticity and firmness. What do experts mean when they talk about dermal turgor? We will cover this issue in as much detail as possible. You will also learn why turgor decreases and how to restore it.