How to Tighten Skin On Your Face: Creams, Procedures, and More

Collagen is the most abundant protein in your body. It holds your skin in its structure and forms the joint tissue between your muscles and bones.

Your body naturally produces collagen, but as you age, the production of this important protein decreases. As a result, your skin becomes less elastic, and wrinkles start to become visible.

As your natural collagen levels decrease, so does the natural amount of fat in the deeper layers of your skin. That leaves unoccupied space underneath your skin layers, which can cause skin to droop or sag where it used to be firm.

Other lifestyle factors can result in wrinkles forming earlier. If you're prone to wrinkles, it's mostly a result of genetics. Other factors that can contribute to early wrinkles include:

• smoking
• frequent exposure to ultraviolet A (UVA)/ultraviolet B (UVB) rays
• extreme weight loss or gain
• diet high in processed foods

As you start reading about home remedies for sagging skin, you may notice that most remedies focus on prevention and not on reversing wrinkles. In terms of actually restoring the way that your skin used to look, clinical and in-office procedures are much more likely to be effective.

That being said, your best bet for preventing sagging skin is to shoot for a cumulative effect. Focus on taking care of your skin as a lifestyle choice, including quitting smoking and using sun protection.

There are two main types of anti-aging products: antioxidants and cell regulators.

Antioxidants

Antioxidants are rich in vitamins C, B, and E. They work by making your skin stronger against oxidative stress, and mostly serve to prevent against wrinkles rather than reverse sagging skin.

There's some evidence to suggest that antioxidant ingredients decrease redness and inflammation, making skin healthier.

Cell regulators

Cell regulators are creams and lotions that have peptides, retinols, or growth factor ingredients. These ingredients aim to stimulate collagen production in your skin, which is why some claim they can reverse the signs of aging.

Retinol (vitamin A) is the most frequently used ingredient in anti-aging creams.

But tretinoin, another form of vitamin A, may be the most effective ingredient to firm the skin on your neck and face.

Since 1984, multiple studies on animals and people show that tretinoin can firm your skin and increase collagen production to the point where sagging skin becomes less noticeable.

The practice of yoga has been recommended for skin that looks younger and a body that feels healthier. Yoga itself may increase the levels of oxygen in your skin.

But as far as facial exercises aimed at tightening your skin, which is also called face yoga, most dermatologists believe they don't work. Repeatedly putting your face in certain positions is part of what causes wrinkles, so doing face yoga isn't likely to reverse them.

Some people swear that an array of at-home devices work to smooth their wrinkles away. Jade rollers, radio frequency (RF) devices, and microneedlers are examples of these devices.

RF devices may actually work to reverse the appearance of wrinkles.

A 2017 study found that when used daily for eight weeks, an RF device increased production of certain proteins in the deeper layers of the skin. Among study participants, this led to skin that was visibly tighter.

There's no clinical data to back up the use of several other popular home-devices, including jade rollers. And while home microneedling devices may work, you would probably see much more significant results having microneedling treatments from a medical professional.

Oral collagen supplements may help to stave off loose skin as you age.

Collagen tripeptide, in particular, has been studied for its anti-aging use. Drinking collagen supplements is probably more of a preventive measure to keep your skin from sagging than it is a corrective one.

Wearing sunscreen is a simple way you can be proactive about sagging skin on your face and neck. Wearing sunscreen every day will keep your skin from being damaged by the sun's ultraviolet (UV) rays. It also decreases your risk of skin cancer.

Be sure to apply sunscreen to your neck and bust as a way to keep your skin looking younger.

Staying hydrated will make your skin look younger. It'll also help boost your mood and perspective. If your skin is frequently and consistently deprived of proper hydration, you'll notice that the signs of aging are more noticeable.

If you don't feel as if home remedies are working to make your skin appear firm, your next step might be to speak with a dermatologist about in-office procedures.

Less invasive

Laser peel

Laser skin resurfacing aims to promote collagen production in the deeper layers of your skin while peeling off your top layer of skin that'll improve the texture and tone.

It costs between $1,200 and $2,000 for one treatment. The results of this treatment aren't permanent, but you may see firmer skin for several years afterward.

Ultrasound therapy

Ultrasound therapy targets the area under your chin, as well as your face and neck. It typically costs less than $2,000.

Ultrasound waves penetrate deep into your skin to stimulate collagen production. Some people only need one round of this therapy, while others need to go back to repeat treatment.

Radiofrequency

Radio frequency is yet another form of treatment that stimulates protein production in your skin's deeper layers to try to make it firmer.

Radio frequency therapy has been shown to be at least as or more effective than cosmetic firming creams.

This treatment costs about $2,000 per round, and the therapy may need to be repeated in several years.

Microneedling

Microneedling aims to generate collagen production using tiny needles that prick your skin. According to one company, Dermapen, it can cost between $100 and $700 per session. You'll probably need several sessions over the span of three to four months to see results.

Microneedling results sometimes take several months to be noticeable, and they're not usually permanent.

Botox

Botox is a minimally invasive injectable medication. It costs usually begin between $300 to $400 per treatment, on average, and the effects of one treatment lasts approximately three to four months.

Botox essentially causes certain muscles in your face not to move, which makes your skin appear smoother and less wrinkled.

Kybella

Kybella is an injectable medication that destroys fat cells under your chin. It's meant to reduce the appearance of a double chin, and the treatment is meant to be permanent.

Sometimes, several rounds of the injection are necessary to see results. According to self-reported costs on RealSelf.com, the average cost of Kybella is $1,350 per treatment.

More invasive

Facelift surgery

A facelift is an inpatient surgical procedure in which a physician removes excess and sagging skin, 'pulling back' your face so that the skin appears taut.

It costs between $7,000 and $11,000. Facelifts are done under general anesthesia and can also include the skin on your neck.

Facelifts can be 'complete,' meaning a long incision that starts at your brow line and extends down the length of your face, usually within your hairline. 'Mini' facelifts use shorter incisions and require less recovery time.

The more invasive a technique is, the more dramatic the result will be. But invasive techniques also carry a higher risk of side effects, can lead to infection, and are usually not reversible.

Try to temper your expectations fairly and reasonably when you undergo any treatment at your physician's office.

You are a good candidate for noninvasive face-firming procedures if:

• you've already tried home remedies or treating sagging skin with products
• you're not currently nursing or pregnant
• you have mild to moderate 'skin laxity' that's becoming more pronounced over time

If you're unhappy with that way your skin looks, consider how you're feeling. Sometimes, external factors that come along with aging can make you feel more self-conscious about your appearance.

If the way you feel about your sagging skin affects your daily life or self-esteem, speak with a physician. They can determine what the best course of action will be depending on your skin type and how your skin looks.