What Causes Sagging Skin on Arms

The most common cause of sagging skin on arms in men and women is aging.  Women are particularly stressed when they see the problem.  In some cases, it is the first visible sign of the aging process.  Let's look at the causes of saggy skin and How to Reduce Sagging Skin.  

As we get older, we have to work harder to keep muscle mass.  You may be in good shape.  You might work out on a regular basis.  More and more people are concerned about their health.  

 Working out is one thing they do to stay healthy. 

Scientists advise that people should continue to work out to help prevent age-related muscle loss.  What does muscle loss have to do with saggy arm skin?  Think about it for a moment. 

·         What Else  To Do 

People who lift weights or do other things to build the muscles of the upper arm often have stretched marks underneath.  Stretch marks are caused by damaged to the skin’s collagen fibers.  The skin can accommodate increased growth, but not if it happens too quickly. 

Whether a person loses muscle or fat, loose skin will be left behind; the quicker the loss, the looser the skin.  The skin’s firmness will return after losing fat or muscle.  It just takes time.  The time it takes is noticeably longer as we age.   

·         What Takes So Long 

There are several reasons for the delay.  First is decreased production of collagen fibers.  The skin’s elastic collagen fibers are primarily responsible for firmness and elasticity.  When you pinch your skin, it snaps back into place because of the elastic fibers.  The production of new elastic fibers takes longer as we get older.    

A low level of hyaluronic acid is another cause of sagging skin on arms in men and women.  Hyaluronic acid is like glue that holds the skin’s cells and layers together.  It helps maintain the skin’s moisture balance and plays a role in the production of new cells. 

As we age, we lose muscle and the skin’s fatty tissue layer becomes thinner.  The production of new cells also slows down, which means that all of the skin’s layers become thinner; dermis, epidermis, etc. 

Picture a balloon that has lost air.  It is no longer firm or tight.  All of the losses mentioned above are like the air in a balloon.  The result is saggy arm skin and lost firmness elsewhere on the body. 

·         Good Nutrition is Necessary 

Good nutrition is important for improving and protecting the skin’s health, just as it is for the rest of the body.  As you age, good nutrition becomes even more important, because nutrient absorption is not always as efficient.   

If you care about your health, you are probably eating a balanced diet.  Hopefully, you are getting enough protein.  Protein is necessary for building muscle, building new collagen fibers and for building new cells. 

·         Lack of Vitamin C 

A lack of essential vitamin C can cause the body to produce weaker collagen fibers.  A lack of any essential nutrient can have a negative effect on your skin’s health and appearance. 

Now that you understand more about the cause of sagging skin on arms in men and women, you would probably like to know what you can do about it.  Eating right is one thing, but there is another that is very important.  You will learn about that in my next article.  Click the link here for more information on: How to Reduce Sagging Skin on Arms in Men and Women.