Face Puffiness: Your Questions Answered by Experts

What gives skin its elasticity and firmness?

The hypodermis and dermis are two skin layers that play a big role in skin firmness and skin elasticity. 

The hypodermis consists of fat cells, which influence the skin’s buoyancy, volume, and shape. But, facial fat gets redistributed over time. This can cause the appearance of sagging. 

Then, there’s the dermis. It hosts the extracellular matrix (collagen and elastin fibers, and proteoglycans). When fibers break down, skin’s thickness decreases.

How do you know what product helps elasticity with skin?

Look for products that contain a combination of proteoglycans and pre-proteoglycans. These “moisture-heroes” can store up to 1000 times their molecular weight in water, helping to tighten up the look of your face skin and promoting skin elasticity. 

Also, add products like serums that include hyaluronic acid. Not only will they help preserve moisturization levels, but they’ll add a look of volume to your skin. Plus, they can help downplay the look of face wrinkles.

What causes loss of skin elasticity?

A loss of skin elasticity can happen for different reasons. As you get older, collagen and elastic fibers begin to break down. This means the skin’s firmness, thickness, and elasticity typically decrease as well. 

Also, stress and a lack of sleep can contribute to reduced elasticity. High levels of cortisol, which is a hormone produced in response to stress, can raise oxidative stress and impair your skin’s barrier response. This could mean sagging skin and even face puffiness.

What causes loss of skin firmness?

First, diet plays a role. Eating too much sugar can contribute to glycation, which eventually makes proteins like collagen rigid. That could mean also a loss of both skin firmness and elasticity. 

Second, skin damage caused by exposure to free radicals is linked closely to a lack of firmness. 

Finally, poor-quality sleep could lead to dull skin, fine lines and wrinkles, and a lack of firmness.

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