The part of the body most affected by sagging skin is undoubtedly the legs, especially in the inner thighs. The arms may also have sagging skin, as well as the buttocks, the breast area and the abdomen.Arm relaxation is the nightmare of all women, especially after the age of 40.
The skin located between the elbow and the armpit, in the area of the triceps muscle, tends to lose elasticity and tone over the years and “drops” inexorably. The effect created is defined as “curtain arms” or “bat wings”.
There are many causes of arm relaxation
- skin aging: it is a natural, gradual and inescapable process that we are all destined to encounter over the years. It is a process that begins very early, around the age of 25, although the effects can be more or less noticeable over the years depending on the person. At the cellular level, fibroblasts begin to decrease the production of collagen and elastin. They are two fundamental proteins for the structure, firmness and elasticity of the skin.
- sudden weight changes: In the event of sudden weight loss, the subcutaneous and adipose tissue are excessively emptied, causing an excess of skin on the surface that creates the “bat wings” effect.
- poor physical activity: Relaxation and loss of muscle tone are very often symptoms of a sedentary lifestyle. As previously mentioned, the reduction in volume of the muscles in depth causes an excess of skin on the surface.
- poorly balanced diet, often associated with poor hydration. A diet low in protein and omega 3 fatty acids, essential macronutrients for the health of muscle mass, can lead to a reduction of the latter. However, it is not only the muscles that are affected by nutritional deficiencies. The health of the skin itself also depends a lot on nutrition. Vitamin C, Vitamin E and minerals are essential for the connective tissue. In particular Vitamin C is a very important antioxidant for the synthesis of collagen.
Other causes
- Alcohol, smoking, smog and UV rays, four elements that are detrimental to skin health (and health in general). Alcohol, in addition to being a very caloric substance, which in case of excessive consumption can cause weight gain, also causes a lot of dehydration. Smoke, smog and UV rays, on the other hand, cause the excessive formation in the body of free radicals, highly unstable molecules that damage the cellular structures of the skin.