Skin turgor is a cosmetic term that is used to determine the degree of firmness and elasticity of the skin, as well as its general condition. Elasticity and firmness are determined by the health of the body, its age, as well as the presence of necessary nutrients in it: micro and macroelements, minerals and vitamins.
Therefore, the older a person is, the more he lacks collagen and elastin, as a result of which creases, folds and wrinkles appear, soft tissue ptosis and sagging are observed, and cellular metabolism slows down. In this article we will tell you what skin turgor is and how to improve it.
What is skin turgor and how to determine its condition
Turgor or skin tone is the tension of cell membranes and cell pressure. The tone of the skin indicates its ability to resist mechanical stress (pulling, stretching, pressure). In other words, this is the ability of the skin to return to its original elastic state. How to determine that skin tone is normal? To check the tone, you can pull back a section of the skin, leave it in this position for about 5 seconds, and then release it. If the epithelium expands quickly, then its tone is normal. If the dermis is difficult to straighten, then atony is observed.
Dermal turgor depends on the activity of fibroblasts and the female hormone estrogen. The hormone controls fibroblasts, which promote the synthesis of collagen and elastin, functioning like an elastic band, returning the skin to its original state after mechanical impact on it. The hormone estrogen is a protector of the female body. Thanks to him, a woman is beautiful, young and feminine. With increasing age, menopause occurs and hormone production fades, leading to atony, sagging and loss of elasticity.
Weak tone is characterized by the following symptoms:
- dehydration;
- dryness;
- ptosis;
- poor straightening of the dermis after pressing and pulling.
If the cause of atony of the skin is age, then it is quite difficult to resist the natural aging processes. This requires multiple hardware procedures that can start the metabolic process in the cells of the dermis. In addition to hardware procedures, there are other methods of rejuvenation, but they are quite radical because they contribute not only to rejuvenation, but also to the appearance of complications that are sometimes not worth the procedure itself.
When skin tone deteriorates for other reasons, they can be easily eliminated and the skin can be restored. These methods are quite simple because they can quickly lead to positive effects.
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).
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.
How to increase skin turgor
The deterioration of skin turgor occurs slowly and gradually. After all, we don’t notice how we ourselves are aging, but what catches our eye is the external changes of people we rarely see. Old age is a natural stage of the life cycle; we will all grow old someday, but it is in our hands to maintain good skin turgor. To do this you just need to follow some rules:
- Moisturize your skin regularly. After all, every year the skin becomes drier and even oily skin can become dry over time. And the older the person, the more intense hydration should be.
- You need to moisturize your skin both from the inside and the outside. You need to drink about 2 liters of water a day, in addition to juices, tea and coffee, and soups.
- Avoid ultraviolet radiation as it leads to photoaging and damage to the skin. Use sunscreen regularly.
- Exfoliate the epidermis once or twice a week. Peels and scrubs improve the structure of the skin, free it from dead particles, improve its appearance and complexion.
- Use cosmetics with retinoids. They are able to penetrate deep into the dermis and prevent its aging, and also promote regeneration and rejuvenation of the body.
- Take vitamin and mineral complexes and dietary supplements. No matter how well a person eats, he is not able to completely compensate for the deficiency of various substances.
- The right way of life. This is the key to long youth and beauty, since the healthy habits that you once acquired will only bring you benefits and a long life without old age.
Nutrition and skin turgor
It is well known that proper nutrition is the key to a beautiful appearance. After all, skin care begins with proper nutrition. In this context, the set of nutrients, minerals and vitamins that are essential for the beauty of our skin is very important.
So, what is needed first:
- B vitamins, especially B2, which is a beauty vitamin. This vitamin contributes to the firmness and elasticity of the epidermis, so it should always be present in our diet. Among the foods rich in vitamin B2 are almonds and other nuts, spinach, liver, cottage cheese, fish and champignons. Not all vitamins are synthesized and accumulated in our body, so their supply from outside must be regular.
- Bioflavonoids for healthy blood vessels. Vessels transport nutrients and oxygen to tissues, cells and organs. Therefore, they must be healthy and elastic. It is important to strengthen their walls with proper nutrition. To do this, you need to introduce into your diet: citrus fruits, apricots, grapes, rose hips, grapefruit.
- Fatty acids - Omega 2 and Omega 6. Fatty acids contribute to the firmness and elasticity of the epidermis. They are found in fatty sea fish: salmon, trout, mackerel, tuna.
- Lean meat. There is an opinion in everyday life that eating meat makes people grow old. However, this is not true. Our body needs protein throughout its life, which is a building material. A lack of building protein leads to grayness and dullness of the face; without it, collagen and elastin fibers are not able to form.
- Vitamin A. Along with vitamins E and C, it is a very powerful antioxidant, which means that it prevents the aging of the body and triggers regenerative renewal in the body. Vitamin A is found in sorrel, tomatoes, carrots, sweet peppers, dairy products, liver, and spinach.
- Folic acid. Protects our skin from the harmful effects of ultraviolet radiation, increases the functioning of the body's defenses. Therefore, you need to add foods rich in this vitamin to your diet: green peas, citrus fruits, lettuce, spinach.
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:
- 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.
- Acupuncture. Manipulation with thin needles helps improve the tone of the epidermis. During the procedure, biologically active points are innervated.
- 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.
- 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.
- Photolifting. It provides specific radiation to the dermis, after which its condition improves and the production of elastin and collagen increases.
- 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:
- Mousse from the Skincode brand “Cellular Body Firming Mousse” restores elasticity and firmness to the skin, tightens soft tissues and improves their structure.
- Cream from the Estee Lauder brand “Slim Shape+” will help tighten the epidermis and make it smooth.
- An effective anti-aging cream-body gel from the Darphin brand “HydroForm Contouring Gel” perfectly eliminates cellulite, makes the skin even, smooth and elastic.
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 stitches.
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.
Any woman is concerned about skin turgor and facial beauty. Skin problems arise most acutely after childbirth or severe weight loss. Girls are especially worried about their appearance in the warm season. In the summer, every representative of the fair half of humanity dreams of looking attractive, but in certain cases it is not possible to advantageously emphasize the figure by hiding problem areas with the help of clothes. Tightening and rejuvenating procedures can save the situation.
What does elasticity depend on?
Many people are interested in knowing what determines the elasticity of the skin and what can harm it. The skin becomes less elastic for the following reasons:
- Circulatory disorders.
- Severe weight loss.
- Overdrying and dehydration of the skin.
- Severe air pollution.
- Pregnancy.
- Lack of nutrients in the body.
- Excessive passion for decorative cosmetics.
The skin loses its elasticity due to a decrease in the hormone estrogen. This hormone is necessary for the production of the basic elements due to which the epidermis functions normally. We are talking about substances such as elastin, collagen and hyaluron.
The basis of connective tissue is provided by collagen and elastin proteins, thanks to which the skin becomes elastic and strong. Hyaluron resembles a sponge and maintains the necessary hydration of the skin. If the water balance is disturbed, then hyaluron ceases to be produced regularly. It must be remembered that care cannot be effective without maintaining a drinking balance and regular hydration.
How to improve skin elasticity
To understand how to improve the condition of your body's skin, you need to follow the basic rules. First of all, you need to drink enough water per day and enrich your diet with protein. Restoring and strengthening the elasticity of the skin is not an easy task, which includes both external and internal influences. External effects include the use of masks, scrubs and creams. The internal influence is adherence to a certain diet.
Protein is the main building substance. Water is an important element responsible for hydration. The skin becomes elastic thanks to elastin and collagen. If cell division is insufficient, tone will be lost and wrinkles will appear.
At home, body wrap is ideal to increase the elasticity of the body's skin. This procedure is easy to use and takes no more than an hour and a half. To do this, you need to select products containing vitamins, bandages and a measuring cup.
First of all, you need to apply menthol oil (you can use any other oil) on your body in a circular motion. The oil will help remove excess moisture from the body and constrict blood vessels. Let the oil massage last for about seven minutes. After the massage, you need to take pre-prepared bandages soaked in lotion and wrap them around problem areas (for example, thighs). Wrap the problem areas with film on top of the bandages and leave for half an hour. Thanks to this “steam bath” effect, the effects of healing components are activated.
At the end of the procedure, it is recommended to apply a moisturizer to the skin of the body. For the effect to be impressive, you need to undergo a course of ten similar procedures, and the breaks between procedures should be no more than two days.
Physical training. Physical activity helps restore the body and skin to good condition. Exercises prevent sagging, sagging areas become tightened again. For this reason, it is worth making it a rule to exercise regularly.
Cold and hot shower. Hot water opens pores, helping to remove accumulated toxins and impurities. If you immediately lower the water temperature, the pores will narrow and close. With the help of a contrast shower, you can restore the elasticity and firmness of the skin. It is advisable to repeat this procedure in the morning and evening, at least three contrasts in one approach. Impressive results will not take long to arrive.
Peeling. This procedure helps maintain turgor. You can use store-bought products, or a homemade scrub made from coffee grounds will also work. Apply the product to a damp body using circular movements. After the procedure, you need to take a warm shower and apply a nourishing cream. To see a noticeable result, you need to carry out this procedure two or three times a week.
Self-massage. For this procedure, a terry towel is suitable, which must be soaked in cold water and wrung out. Now he should be placed on his chest. First of all, you need to cross your arms and properly rub the chest area, and then the forearms.
As soon as the towel warms up, you need to wet it again in cold water. Then move the fabric back and rub your back and lower back, then massage your hips. This procedure will give the skin elasticity if done every evening.
Body mask recipes
To look fresh and young, any woman should know and use a recipe for a mask - for the body, for skin elasticity. Many homemade masks help effectively fight cellulite, provide excellent tightening of sagging skin and solve many other problems.. You can use one of the following recipes:
- Honey mask to remove toxins. It is necessary to melt 300 gr. honey, cool to a comfortable temperature and apply to the body. Leave the mask on for twenty minutes, then rinse with warm water.
- A mask of apples and coffee nourishes the skin and enriches it with vitamins. It is necessary to chop two large apples and combine with 50 g. coffee grounds. This product should be applied to the body with massaging movements and left for twenty minutes. Then rinse with warm water.
- A potato mask perfectly nourishes and helps make the skin elastic. Three small potatoes must be peeled, chopped and mixed with a small amount of olive oil. The product should be applied to the skin and washed off after fifteen minutes.
How to maintain skin turgor
Every woman should know how to maintain the elasticity of her facial skin at home. The elasticity of facial skin depends primarily on blood circulation. Good blood circulation can be achieved through regular contrast procedures. If a woman has a sedentary job, she should move more in her free time, walk. Vacuum massage will also be useful.
The skin of the face will remain elastic for a long time if it is constantly moisturized and protected.. It is important not to get carried away with tanning, either in a solarium or in the open sun. It is recommended to go outside in the summer, after using a protective face cream. It is recommended to start using anti-aging creams from the age of 26, and also purchase products containing essential oils.
If you visit the bathhouse once a week, your skin will remain young and beautiful for a long time. In the bathhouse, toxins and wastes are well removed from the body, as well as excess water, and the skin is freed from dead cells.
Masks to maintain elasticity
Representatives of the fair sex should know mask recipes for facial skin elasticity. Before applying any of the masks, use a soft scrub. It is recommended to rinse off with warm water. The mask should be applied to the neck and face, without touching the lips and eyes. It is strictly not recommended to keep the mask on your face longer than prescribed. After using the product, you need to apply a nourishing cream to your face.
The following products will help keep your facial skin in good condition:
- To prevent wrinkles around the eyes from appearing for as long as possible, it is recommended to use herbal extracts. They can be prepared at home. The product must be applied to a cotton pad and applied to the eyes for ten minutes.
- Honey mask to improve tone. Mix half a tablespoon of honey with one spoon of oatmeal and add protein. Apply the mixture to your face and wait for the protein to dry, then remove. This mask will restore the skin's natural shine and soothe it.
- Mask with mumiyo. You need to take 2 grams. mumiyo, 60 gr. nourishing cream and 10 ml of almond oil. All ingredients must be mixed thoroughly and the resulting product should be placed in the refrigerator. Apply the product to a steamed face in a thick layer, wait half an hour, then wipe your face with damp cotton pads.
No one has yet come up with a recipe for eternal youth, but every woman can prolong her youth by one or even two decades on her own by regularly caring for her skin. The procedures are not only pleasant, but will also help a woman look younger than her age.
The cause of the first wrinkles is a decrease in the production of elastin and collagen, which are responsible for skin elasticity. But this process can be slowed down with proper daily care.
- What does skin elasticity depend on?
- How to increase facial skin elasticity
- How to increase the elasticity of body skin
- Review of skin firming products
What does skin elasticity depend on?
For a second, imagine the springs inside a sofa or bed - they may well play the role of a simplified model of the collagen framework of our skin.
Together with another protein, elastin, collagen forms voluminous spirals.
They, in turn, are firmly woven into tight “braids” - collagen fibers.
Over the years, the grip of the braids weakens and the spirals become fragile.
And skin that has lost support suffers from loss of tone and elasticity and gradually becomes covered with wrinkles.
To check if you have a collagen deficiency, do this test. Pinch the skin on the eyelid. If it smooths out immediately, everything is fine. If not, you need to take action. After all, with age, starting from 30 years, collagen production gradually decreases. However, other factors also influence this.
Hormones
During the premenopausal period, the amount of estrogen, a hormone that regulates collagen production, sharply decreases. The result is predictable: the skin quite dramatically begins to look several years older.
Scientists are still arguing which enemy of collagen is stronger: deadlines, lack of sleep, chronic stress or bad habits (tobacco, alcohol). © iStock
Nutrition
To produce collagen, the body needs amino acids, which it obtains from food. If there are not enough amino acids, the construction of proteins is “frozen”, and the skin becomes loose and loses tone.
Lack of sleep and stress
Scientists are still arguing which enemy of collagen is stronger: deadlines, lack of sleep, chronic stress or bad habits (tobacco, alcohol). In fact, all these factors are equally harmful.
Sun and solarium
Excess ultraviolet radiation provokes the formation of free radicals. And these particles can destroy collagen fibers.
How to increase facial skin elasticity
Much depends on daily care: the skin needs to be regularly cleansed, moisturized and protected. Depending on age, only the details change.
At 20 years old
Basic care is enough. To cleanse, choose a product based on your skin type - milk, micellar water, gel or foam cleanser. Moisturizing is also necessary, including for oily skin (a light texture with a mattifying effect is suitable).
You need to protect young skin mainly from excess ultraviolet radiation: this will help prevent the appearance of wrinkles.
At 30 years old
The rate of cell renewal and collagen production decreases - the first wrinkles appear, the skin loses its elasticity. Use cleansing products with an exfoliating effect, for example, with AHA acids: they remove dead skin cells and activate regeneration. Regarding protection and hydration, the cream should contain:
antioxidants that save the skin from the effects of free radicals;
active components that improve regeneration.
At 40 years old
Excess ultraviolet radiation can trigger the formation of free radicals. © iStock
Estrogen synthesis has already been reduced, so the skin is less elastic and firm, wrinkles become deeper. For cleansing, use soft products; for daily care, choose anti-aging creams with moisturizing effects, protection from the sun and oxidative stress.
If the skin looks flabby, a cream with peptides that stimulate the synthesis of collagen and elastin will help.
At 50 years old
Signs of the times: ptosis (skin sagging), wrinkles deepen, pores become more noticeable. Cleanse your skin gently with gentle, soap-free products, and use exfoliants once a week to stimulate cell renewal.
How to increase the elasticity of body skin
Wraps
Algae, mud, chocolate - alternate them or carry out a course of 10-20 sessions every six months. If for some reason a salon does not fit into your life, buy professional mixtures and do body wraps at home.
Procedures with temperature changes
Contrast douches or showers activate blood circulation, improve nutrition in cells and trigger renewal processes. As a result, the skin becomes more elastic.
Such procedures are not indicated for people with reduced immunity or chronic diseases. Health must be practically impeccable.
Massage
Improves microcirculation, which means nutrition of cells and tissues. You can do self-massage using products with a drainage effect and/or based on essential oils.
Massage improves microcirculation, which means nutrition of cells and tissues. © iStock
Physical exercise
Any activity in the fresh air enriches cells with oxygen and improves skin nutrition. Exercises such as lunges, jumping, and “bicycle” are effective for the inner thighs. If we talk about the inner surface of the hands, where the skin often sags, the following will help:
"propeller" for hands.
Salon treatments
Classic manual massage - remedy number one. Perhaps nothing better has been invented yet.
Hardware techniques. Microcurrents, ultrasound therapy, radio wave lifting are aimed at enhancing collagen production and normalizing natural regenerative processes.
Injections of native hyaluronic acid (biorevitalization). Regeneration processes are launched.
Review of skin firming products
Products for skin elasticity after 30
hyaluronic acid, galangal extract
Stimulates renewal processes, activates collagen production, makes skin soft and elastic.
rose and black currant oils
Moisturizes and soothes dry, sensitive skin, relieves the feeling of tightness.
thermal water, caffeine, adenosine
Improves skin microrelief, significantly reduces wrinkles, fights the aging process, making the skin elastic.
jasmonic acid derivatives, adenosine
Increases elasticity, reduces wrinkles, evens out complexion, gives radiance to the skin.
Products for skin elasticity after 40
Superbly Restorative Argan Body Lotion, Kiehl’s
Relieves irritation, tones the skin, promotes elasticity.
thermal water, shea butter, vitamin E
Nourishes, softens and soothes the skin.
hyaluronic acid, sun filters, Collagen Reset complex
Stimulates the production of collagen fibers, reduces wrinkles, smoothes and strengthens the skin.