What Causes Sagging Neck Skin?

Six causes for sagging neck skin.  Aging is not the only reason for saggy skin around the neck area.   Here are some other causes and what you can do to get rid of the problem.  

·         1. Decreased Production of Collagen and Elastin Fibers 

The skin’s collagen and elastin fibers are like the elastic in a pair of sweat pants or other clothing.  With constant stretching, they become less elastic.  Because of that, the body naturally produces new collagen and elastin fibers to replace the less elastic one.  The replacement process occurs on a regular basis throughout our youth, assuming we are in good health.  But as we age, the process slows down.  As a result, the entire matrix of the skin because less elastic and starts to sag.  It is particularly noticeable on the neck, simply because of gravity. 

·         2. Decreased Hyaluronic Acid Content 

Hyaluronic acid is another component that contributes to the skin’s strength and firmness.  The amount present in the skin decreases with age, because of enzymes called hyaluronidaise.  The enzymes break down the hyaluronic acid.  In addition to causing saggy neck skin, low levels of hyaluronic acid play a role in wrinkles, uneven pigmentation and dark under eye circles. 

·         3. Low Moisture Content 

If the skin’s moisture content is low, it is more likely to look saggy.  When the skin’s cells are fully hydrated, they are firm and plump.  This helps to hold the skin tight.  Low moisture may be caused by excessive cleansing, harsh cleansers and failure to use a good moisturizer.  Low humidity, cold, wind and overexposure to sunlight are other possible causes. 

·         4. Chronic Inflammation 

Chronic inflammation is a cause of cellular aging throughout the body.  It plays a role in cancer, obesity, heart disease, arthritis and other health problems.  The skin may be chronically inflamed for many reasons and inflammation is one of the few things that can damage and degrade the skin’s collage and elastin fibers.   

If the fibers become damaged or degraded when a person is older and the replacement process has slowed down, ugly saggy neck skin is a probable result.  Redness is one of the visible symptoms of chronic inflammation. 

·         5. Decreased Skin Cell Production 

The number of new skin cells created on a daily basis decreases as a person ages.  Because of that, the skin gets thinner.  Thinning skin is more likely to sag. 

·         6. Free Radical Damage 

Free radicals are a cause of cellular aging, too.  The risk of free radical damage increases during exposure to sunlight and because of age.  Older skin has been found to contain more free radicals than younger skin. 

If they get out of control, free radicals can damage the cells that make new skin cells, which may be the reason that skin cell production decreases with age.  They can also interfere with the production of strong new elastic fibers and do a great deal of damage to the existing fibers. 

Those are the causes.  Now, you probably want to know where you can find the solutions.  You’ll find them in my next article.   How to Solve Ugly Saggy Neck Skin