Treating Sagging Skin in Singapore: Non-Surgical Options That Actually Work

Treating sagging skin in Singapore has never been easier, thanks to a wide array of advanced non-surgical treatments. By understanding the causes of sagging skin, we can find the right solutions to regain a youthful, radiant appearance. Whether it’s due to reduced collagen production, sun damage, weight loss, smoking, or the natural effects of gravity, Singapore offers an array of effective treatments to help us achieve firmer, more elastic skin without the need for surgery.

Let’s explore some of our favourite non-invasive options to address common ageing concerns and (boost our confidence!).

Understanding the Causes of Sagging Skin

Sagging skin is a natural part of the ageing process, but that doesn’t mean you have to just sit back and accept it! By understanding the key culprits behind what causes sagging skin and other key signs of ageing, you can implement a multi-pronged approach to age gracefully.

Let’s look at some of the most common causes of sagging skin.

Reduced Collagen and Elastin Production

Collagen and elastin powerhouse proteins are the building blocks of youthful, plump skin. Collagen provides structure and firmness, while elastin lets your skin snap back after stretching. This all works beautifully when we are younger. As we get older, however, things start to change. Collagen production naturally declines around one per cent per year after you hit your mid-20s, and elastin production declines at a similar rate.

Natural Collagen Boosters and Elastin Enhancers

While it is impossible to stop the decline of collagen and elastin, there are certain things that you can do to boost production as you age.

• Collagen Boosting Diet: You can nourish your skin from within by adding collagen-boosting foods to your diet like bone broth, food rich in omega-3 fatty acids (flaxseeds, chia seeds, salmon, tofu, and tuna), citrus fruits high in vitamin C (guavas, kiwi, bell peppers, strawberries, oranges), and red and yellow vegetables packed with antioxidants. 

• Supplements: You may want to consider adding a collagen peptide supplement to your routine. While research on the effectiveness of collagen supplements is ongoing, some studies suggest it may improve skin elasticity. 

• Topical Treatments: Look for creams and serums containing retinol (vitamin A), which stimulates collagen production. Vitamin C is another potent antioxidant that helps protect collagen from sun damage.

The Effect of Sun Damage on Skin

As much as we all may love a day at the beach, the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays are the enemy of youthful skin. UV rays break down collagen and elastin, which leads to premature sagging and wrinkles.

When it comes to preventing premature ageing and sagging skin treatments, avoiding sun damage is one of the easiest things that you can do. And, unlike collagen and elastin production, your exposure to the sun is something that you have a good level of control over.

Smart Anti-Ageing Production 

While we all know that sun protection is important, not all options are created equally. Here is how to properly present sun damage:

• Sun Protection is Key: Make daily sunscreen application a non-negotiable part of your routine, even on cloudy days. Choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher and reapply every two hours, or more often if sweating or swimming.

• Sun-Protective Clothing: When you are outside, wear wide-brimmed hats, sunglasses that block UVA and UVB rays, and sun-protective clothing with a UPF (Ultraviolet Protection Factor) rating.

• Diet for Defence: Regularly incorporate fruits and vegetables rich in antioxidants like tomatoes, carrots, and berries into your diet. Antioxidants help fight free radicals generated by UV exposure, which damage skin cells.

Weight Loss and Sagging Skin

Sagging skin can occur after weight loss, especially with significant or rapid weight loss. During weight loss, your fat cells shrink, but the collagen and elastin may not bounce back completely. Age, sun exposure, and smoking further weaken collagen and elastin, making them less able to recover after weight loss.

Preventing Sagging Skin from Weight Loss 

While having loose skin after losing weight isn’t always possible to prevent, there is a lot that you can do to prevent skin laxity.

• Focus on Sustainable Weight Loss: Aim for gradual, healthy weight loss of less than one kg per week. This allows your skin time to adjust and retract more effectively.

• Hydration is Essential: Drink plenty of water throughout the day to keep skin plump and hydrated. Aim for eight glasses of water daily, or more depending on your activity level and climate. This is especially important in Singapore so be sure to always be aware. 

Smoking and Sagging Skin

Smoking causes sagging skin by damaging collagen and elastin, the proteins responsible for keeping skin plump and elastic. The chemicals in cigarettes break down these proteins and reduce your body’s natural ability to support your skin structure. This can lead to wrinkles, fine lines, and loose skin, and makes you look older than you are.

Preventing Skin Laxity from Smoking

Along with sun exposure, smoking is one of the key causes of sagging skin that is under control. The single most effective way to combat the skin-damaging effects of smoking is to quit. Here in Singapore, there are numerous resources available to help you quit smoking, including support groups, nicotine replacement therapy, and counselling.

Whether you are in the process of quitting smoking or you have already quit, you can boost your circulation to prevent premature ageing caused by smoking. Doing regular exercise will help to improve overall blood flow and deliver vital nutrients and oxygen to your skin cells. Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise most days of the week for optimum natural ageing.

Gravity’s Effect on Sagging Skin

Gravity’s constant pull plays a major role in contributing to sagging, particularly in areas like the jowls and neck. There are a few ways that you can fight against the effects:

• Facial Exercises: While research on the effectiveness of facial exercises for preventing sagging is not yet definitive, some studies suggest they may offer some natural anti-ageing benefits. For optimal anti-ageing effects, look for targeted facial exercises that focus on strengthening and toning the muscles that support the skin. 

• Maintain Good Posture: Good posture can help counteract the effects of gravity on your face and neck. Focus on trying to always stand tall with your shoulders back and head held high.

Whenever your natural anti-ageing strategy you are working toward, it is essential to keep in mind that consistency is key. By incorporating these natural strategies into your daily routine to prevent skin sagging, you can effectively combat sagging skin and promote a more youthful, radiant appearance.

Signs of Skin Laxity

When it comes to sagging skin, there are a few common symptoms that we see. Let’s explore them.

Here’s a list of signs of loose, sagging skin:

• Loose, sagging skin: This is the general loss of firmness and elasticity in your skin, which can make it appear loose and hanging.

• Droopy eyelids: As skin loses elasticity, your eyelids can become droopy or hooded, sometimes even to the point of affecting your vision.

• Fine lines and wrinkles: These are small creases or lines in your skin that are caused by a loss of collagen and elastin.

• Wider upper lip: A longer gap between your lip and nose can be caused by a loss of volume in the lips and surrounding area.

• Eyebags: These are puffy pouches under the eyes that can be caused by fluid retention, loss of collagen, or fat loss.

• Thinning and crepiness of skin: This can make your skin look thin and papery, and it is often more noticeable on your neck, hands, and arms.

• Reduced skin elasticity and firmness: Less elastic skin will not bounce back as easily after being pinched or stretched.

• Loss of jawline definition: The jawline can become less defined as skin loses elasticity and volume is lost in the face.

• Downward sagging of jowls: Jowls are the loose skin that can form along your jawline.

• Uneven skin texture and tone: Sun damage, age, and other factors can contribute to uneven skin texture and tone.

• More prominent laugh lines: Laughing lines are the lines that form around the corners of your mouth. They can become more prominent with age and sagging skin.

• Sunken or Hollow appearance of forehead/ temples/ cheeks: Loss of volume in the face can lead to a sunken or hollow appearance in the forehead, temples, and cheeks.

Popular Non-Surgical Treatments for Treating Sagging Skin in Singapore

When it comes to sagging skin treatment in Singapore, we are spoiled for choice. Here are a few of the most effective treatments for skin laxity.

• HIFU (High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound) for Non-Surgical Skin Tightening
• Thermage FLX
• Achieving Youthful Skin with Ultherapy
• Injectables and Fillers for Firmer Skin
• Microneedling

To help you decide on the best treatment for sagging skin, it is essential to fully understand all of your options. Here is what you need to know before you decide.

Non-Surgical Treatments Sagging Skin Treatments in Singapore: Which One is Right for You?

Singapore offers a wide range of non-surgical treatments for sagging skin, each with its own advantages. Here’s a breakdown of some popular options to help you decide which one is right for you:

• HIFU (High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound): This skin laxity treatment uses focused ultrasound energy to heat the deep layers of your skin. This works by stimulating collagen production and creating a tightening effect. HIFU is ideal for mild to moderate sagging, particularly on the face and neck. We love this option because it has minimal downtime and noticeable results within a few weeks.

• Thermage FLX: This radiofrequency sagging skin treatment uses controlled heat to remodel your collagen while promoting skin tightening and rejuvenation. Thermage FLX works well for people with mild to moderate sagging and concerns about wrinkles and fine lines. We’re a fan of this treatment because it’s a comfortable experience with minimal downtime that’ll give you gradual improvement over time.

• Ultherapy: Similar to HIFU, Ultherapy uses ultrasound energy to target deeper skin layers. It stimulates collagen production for a lifting and tightening effect. Ultherapy is effective for brows, jowls, and the neck area and offers subtle yet long-lasting results. This is a great option for minimal downtime and improvement within a few months.

• Injectables and Fillers for Firmer Skin: We love the range of dermal fillers like hyaluronic acid, which are perfect for adding volume and definition to specific areas. Fillers can also address sagging concerns like marionette lines, nasolabial folds, and loss of plumpness in your cheeks. We are especially impressed with the injectable approach because it offers immediate results and can be customised to your specific needs.

• Microneedling: This minimally invasive treatment works by creating tiny punctures in your skin with fine needles. Microneedling triggers your body’s natural healing response to stimulate collagen production and improve your skin texture and firmness. This is a top pick for addressing mild sagging, wrinkles, and enlarged pores. While multiple sessions are often recommended for optimal results, downtime is minimal.

For more aesthetic treatments (surgical and non-surgical), check out this article.

Non-Surgical Skin Tightening in Singapore: Prices and What to Expect

Non-Surgical Treatments for Sagging Skin in Singapore (Comparison Chart)

Treatment	Cost per Session	Treatment Areas	Duration	Benefits	Frequency
HIFU	S$1,000-$4,000	Face, Neck, Body	30-45 mins	Non-invasive, Collagen Production, No Downtime, Works with All Skin Types	1 session (Maintenance Every 6 to 12 months)
Thermage FLX	S$1,500-$5,000	Face, Neck, Body	30-90 mins	Non-invasive, Collagen Production, Elasticity, Wrinkles, Minimal Discomfort	1 session (Yearly Maintenance)
Ultherapy	S$2,500-$5,000	Full Face, Neck, Specific Areas	30-45 mins	FDA-approved, Precision, Real-time Imaging, Non-invasive, No Downtime	1 session (Maintenance Every 6 to 12 months)
Injectables & Fillers	S$$600-$2,000 (varies)	Face, Specific Concerns	Varies	Immediate Results, Volume, Wrinkles, Texture	Varies (Maintenance As Needed)
Microneedling	S$200-$800	Face, Neck, Body	30-60 mins	Texture, Scars, and Collagen Production P	Series of 3-6 sessions (Maintenance Every 6 to 12 months)