Elasticity and firmness of the skin, causes of wilting and aging of the skin, means and procedures to restore their elasticity, simple rules for maintaining health and beauty. The elasticity of the skin is its natural ability to maintain its shape after mechanical action. The degree of elasticity, on which the appearance of the body and face of a person depends, is characterized by the rate at which the dermis takes its original forms after any mechanical manipulations, for example, pressing, pulling. There are many reasons for the violation of this ability, but the result is almost always the same: the skin becomes flabby, ugly and looks much older. These changes are sometimes difficult to deal with, but even harder to come to terms with. Therefore, people striving to preserve beauty and youth choose an active fight against the causes and use a lot of safe means for this. This article will focus on useful substances, complex remedies and procedures that can restore youthfulness and flawless appearance to the skin, stopping premature aging.
Why does the skin lose elasticity?
Loss of skin elasticity manifests itself at different ages in any person. But taking into account physiology, it can be noted that women are more prone to weakening of elasticity than men. However, there are a number of other reasons besides gender.
It should be noted that in the mechanism of maintaining cell tone, the main role is played by special proteins, namely collagen and elastin. Among their functions is the maintenance of the density of the walls and the adherence of cells to adipose tissue. Impaired functionality or lack of these proteins leads to the fact that the body becomes flabby and unattractive. It is known that the human body is able to synthesize them on its own, but this ability is lost under certain conditions.
The main reasons for the decrease in the elasticity of the skin are as follows:
- Aging … With age, the body's natural ability to independently synthesize protein is slowly but surely lost, as evidenced by the sagging of the skin.
- Dramatic weight loss … With a rapid decrease in weight, cells do not have time to adapt, and protein fibers do not have time to contract. This leads to the inevitable sagging of the skin. In this case, there is no need to talk about tonus. Experienced nutritionists do not recommend resorting to aggressive weight loss, promoting a healthy lifestyle and proper nutrition. Rapid weight gain leads to a breakdown in the structure of the skin and the appearance of stretch marks.
- Dehydration of the body … It manifests itself when an insufficient amount of liquid is consumed, after a long course of infectious diseases of the digestive tract, as a result of prolonged exposure to the hot sun. Lack of water in the body leads to cell depletion.
- Bad habits … Smoking tobacco, drinking alcohol and taking drugs poison the body, thereby contributing to metabolic disorders, blocking the absorption of useful products, which is fraught with disruption of intracellular synthesis of proteins necessary for skin elasticity.
- Sun exposure … In addition to dehydration, being under the sun without protective equipment (clothing, sunscreen) opens the way for the harmful effects of ultraviolet rays. The solarium has the same negative effect.
- Insufficient care … The skin is constantly in need of cleansing, for which it is best to use safe hygiene products and clean water. In the summer, the skin also needs moisture and nutrition.
- Influence of the environment … People living in polluted regions are more susceptible to premature aging of the skin due to the poor environmental situation, which contributes to the lack of nutrients in the body. This also includes low-quality food products.
- Chronic diseases … Sometimes the synthesis of collagen and elastin worsens with the development of certain diseases of the nervous, endocrine, vascular, cardiac, and digestive systems.
Correctly selected means and procedures do not always give a 100% result, because it also depends on the individual characteristics of the organism of each person.
What products to use for firmness and elasticity of the skin
The very first step in restoring the skin to its former elasticity should be getting rid of the causes that caused it to fade. It is about giving up bad habits, normalizing nutrition and lifestyle, maintaining a stable weight. However, it is impossible to fight age and change genes. In this case, it is necessary to try to correct the state of health and in every possible way to help the skin to function normally. In this difficult work, various cosmetics and procedures come to the rescue. Let's consider the options in more detail.
Skin firming cream
When choosing a cream for skin elasticity in a store, pay attention to the presence in its composition of such important components as retinol and carotene, which are converted into vitamin A inside the body, as well as vitamins E and C, which have a beneficial effect on the skin. These ingredients can also be used when making homemade mixtures. Such a cream will differ in its natural composition and safety of use.
There are many recipes. Let's describe the most effective of them:
- Citrus cream … Beeswax (20 g) and cocoa butter (40 ml) are placed in a heat-resistant dish and placed in a water bath. Stir until completely dissolved. After removing from heat, add carrot seed oil (4 drops) and glycerin (20 ml). After the formation of a homogeneous mass, without stopping stirring, add the remaining ingredients in small portions: lemon oil (10 drops), a mixture of two oils - soy and apricot kernels (50 ml).
- Chocolate cream … All ingredients - dark chocolate (30 g), cocoa butter (1 tablespoon), natural honey (50 g), lanolin (40 g) - are placed in a water bath and melted until the mixture is homogeneous, then cooled. The product is stored in a cool place without access to light. The frequency of use is 1-2 times a day.
- Mummy cream … Baby cream (50 ml) is placed in a container convenient for stirring. Add 2 tablets of mummy and leave to dissolve. After that, the resulting unpleasant aroma is stopped with essential oils. It is best to take 10 drops each of orange and juniper oil and 2 to 5 drops of cinnamon oil. Be careful with the last ingredient, as it gives off a rather intense odor. After thorough mixing, the cream is ready.
You can apply such creams daily after preliminary cleansing of the skin. There is nothing easier than applying the cream to problem areas, letting it fully absorb for 1-2 minutes and continuing with your daily activities. Application of the cream with massage movements is encouraged, which helps to improve blood flow and metabolism.
Firming masks
Firming masks are not only products made in laboratories, but also homemade mixtures designed to significantly improve the condition of the skin. Everyone decides for himself which of the options suits him best.
Ready-made masks can be fast-acting, or they can be beneficial after constant use for a certain period of time. Others recommend applying it constantly at a certain interval, for example, every 2-4 days.
At home, it is almost impossible to accurately reproduce the composition of ready-made masks that cosmetic stores offer us. However, this has its own plus: ready-made mixtures cannot boast of a completely natural and safe composition. And homemade masks are rarely prepared for future use, so the need to use preservatives that extend the shelf life is eliminated.
When preparing homemade mixtures, simple but very useful products and substances are used. Homemade masks often include ingredients such as vegetable oils, honey, yeast, oatmeal, fruits, and others.
Popular recipes for toning body masks:
- Coffee mask … For cooking, take 1 tbsp. coffee grounds formed after brewing natural ground coffee, 1 tsp. sugar and 2 tbsp. olive oil. After thorough mixing, the mixture is applied to problem areas and left to act for 15 minutes. Application can be combined with rubbing, then small particles of coffee gently massage the skin. The frequency of application is 1 time in 7-10 days.
- Coconut honey mask … Thoroughly mixed ingredients, namely honey, ground oatmeal and coconut milk taken in equal proportions, are applied to clean skin. Stand for 30 minutes. Wash off with warm water. The end of the procedure is rinsing the body with cool water.
- Yeast mask … Yeast (20 g), cream (50 g), honey (50 g) are mixed until smooth and applied to the skin. The exposure time is up to 30 minutes. Essential oils such as verbena or geranium can also be added to the mixture.
- Clay mask … Clay (100 g) is gradually diluted with water until a slurry is formed. Then mix coffee grounds (40 g) into the mixture and add orange essential oil (10 drops). After application, for greater effect, you can wrap the treated areas with foil.
Masks are used most often in courses with a certain time interval between procedures. They become most effective when the skin is thoroughly prepared (cleansing, massage, steaming). Each mixture must be removed from the skin after exposure, which usually lasts 10 to 30 minutes.
Skin firming oil
Many useful natural oils are included in creams, masks and other ready-made mixtures, but at the same time they are considered completely self-sufficient means that can improve the condition of the skin, increase its elasticity and firmness.
The basis of the composition is vitamins, unsaturated fatty acids and many biologically active substances. All these substances provide such beneficial properties as improving intracellular metabolism, stimulating the processes of regeneration and synthesis of useful substances, strengthening cell membranes, preventing oxidation processes, normalizing water balance and increasing the ability to remove harmful substances from cells.
Among the large variety of oils, the most effective in the fight against early aging are the following: almond, wheat germ, peach, apricot, avocado, borage, walnut, garcinia indian, castor, rice. Most oils have practically no contraindications, because they are natural products, but individual intolerance is possible.
Here are some recipes for creating complex oils for skin elasticity:
- Recipe number 1 … The composition includes almond seed oil (120 ml), avocado oil (80 ml), patchouli essential oil (10 drops), sandalwood (20 drops) and carrot seeds (5 drops). All ingredients are mixed until smooth and placed in a container with a lid for long-term storage.
- Recipe number 2 … It contains the following oils: sesame (40 g), grapefruit (10 drops), sweet orange (7 drops), ginger (5 drops), cardamom (5 drops) and black pepper (3 drops). The auxiliary component is cyclomethicone or natural emollient (60 g). This mixture is considered a dry oil because includes cyclomethicone, which is capable of volatilization from the treated surface.
- Recipe number 3 … In this recipe, you should focus on the percentage of each ingredient and use a scale during the preparation process. It contains shea butter (46%), coconut butter (34%), mango butter (6%), cocoa butter (6%), starch (8%). The last ingredient removes the resulting mixture from stickiness, prevents deterioration, allows you to achieve a feeling of airiness on the skin. All oils are preliminarily melted and mixed, and then starch is added. After achieving homogeneity of the mixture, it is placed in the freezer for 10 minutes. Then beat with a mixer until a light and thick mass is obtained, which is able to hold its shape. Such a composition has a long shelf life.
Oils after application most often do not require rinsing, but it is necessary to wait until they are absorbed in order to improve the effect and in order not to stain bed linen or clothes. Traditionally applied to cleansed skin. Can be used daily. Doesn't give quick results. The effect is noticeable with prolonged systematic use.
Skin firming wraps
Body wrap is a fairly popular skin care procedure. More recently, such manipulations were carried out only within the salons, but every day more and more girls prefer to carry out wrapping at home in order to save money and time.
A professional wrap is a procedure during which a special composition is applied to the prepared skin of the client, then the treated areas of the body are wrapped in a cosmetic film. Wrapping takes time and technology execution. The exposure time is from 30 to 60 minutes. Preparations work best when heated, so the client is placed in a warm room or wrapped in an additional blanket.
The compositions are different. Gelatinous ones are applied directly to the skin. Liquid ones are diluted with water in a ratio specified by the manufacturer and serve as an impregnation for fabric bandages, which are used to wrap problem areas.
As already mentioned, wrapping can be done at home. For this purpose, hand-made products are used as a preparation, which are of natural origin and are able to increase the elasticity and firmness of the skin. As an example, here are several types of home wraps that are useful for skin firmness and elasticity:
- Mustard honey wrap … According to the recipe, you need to take 30-40 g of dry mustard and stir in 20 ml of olive oil. Then add 40-50 ml of natural honey. A thoroughly mixed mixture is applied to the skin (the most problematic areas are the abdomen, thighs) and tightly wrapped with cling film, then wrapped in a blanket or put on warm clothes. The exposure time is up to half an hour. Not recommended for sensitive skin. Useful properties: reduction of cellulite, restoration of skin elasticity, acceleration of tissue regeneration.
- Mustard clay wrap … The recipe is as follows: 60-80 g of mustard powder is mixed with 40 g of blue clay, diluted with a small amount of warm water. Essential oils such as grapefruit, orange, rosemary or lemon oil are used as additives. Processing is carried out according to general rules. The exposure time is 30 minutes.
- Nettle wrap … Pre-dried and chopped nettle (40 g) is poured with water (200 ml). Slowly bring to a boil and simmer for about 10 minutes over low heat. After complete cooling, the gauze is moistened in the resulting broth, covered with problem areas and wrapped with foil and a warm blanket. The exposure time is 60 minutes.
- Vinegar wrap … To obtain a solution, you must mix the ingredients - water (200 ml) and vinegar 9% (20 ml). The gauze soaked in the solution is applied to the stomach and thighs, wrapped in a film and a warm blanket. The exposure time is 30 minutes.
- Seaweed wrap … It is considered the most effective. Kelp purchased from a pharmacy (40 g) is poured with hot water and left to swell. Apply to problem areas, wrap. The exposure time is from 20 to 30 minutes.
- Horsetail wrap … Crushed plant leaves (300-400 g) are poured with boiling water (200 ml), lemon juice (20 ml) is added. Insist for 1 hour. Then the cloth or gauze is moistened with the solution and the areas of the body with sagging skin and cellulite are wrapped. The exposure time is from 2 to 3 hours.
- Wine wrap with aloe … To prepare a mixture for 7 procedures, use 500 g of chopped aloe, 1 tsp. honey, 200 ml of fortified wine. The exposure time can be long - up to 8 hours. In a closed container in a cool place, the mixture retains all its useful properties.
- Raspberry wrap … To prepare the solution, fresh or dry raspberry leaves (100 g) are used. They should be poured with boiling water (400 ml). After a short infusion, honey (200 ml) and lavender oil (20 drops) are added to the solution. The exposure time is 30-40 minutes.
At home, you can use special shorts that have a sauna effect.
Do not forget about precautions to avoid allergic reactions or irritation. Treat your body with proper care and attention. Mustard powder wraps are very effective, but can lead to burning, redness of the skin. After the procedure, it is advisable to treat the skin with a moisturizing cream. The duration and number of wrapping courses depend on the goals and initial data of each individual person. The simplest cases, when you need to maintain the body and dump a small amount of excess adipose tissue, require 3 to 5 procedures. More neglected - from 12 to 15 procedures in three to five courses.
Restoration of skin elasticity using water treatments
Water treatments are an integral part of your daily body care. They contribute not only to the cleansing of the skin, but also have a beneficial effect on them, which manifests itself in the activation of metabolic processes, the replenishment of nutrients, the improvement of blood circulation, and the elimination of decay products. The skin regenerates, becomes softer and at the same time retains its elasticity.
The complex of water procedures, useful for preserving youthfulness of the skin, may include several techniques and methods:
- Cold and hot shower … After completing the ritual of cleansing the skin under warm water, it is necessary to carry out a simple procedure - multiple alternate rinsing of the body with hot and cold water. Moreover, the last stream must necessarily be cold. A change in temperature perfectly stimulates all metabolic processes, tones up not only the skin, but the entire body. A contrast shower, applied for 30 days, will significantly improve the condition of the skin, the changes will be noticeable even upon visual examination. The skin becomes firmer, firmer and softer.
- Massage while taking a bath … This manipulation can be carried out with the help of a massage glove and your favorite shower gel or with the help of a scrub, which contains not only abrasive particles that have a massage effect, but also a variety of useful substances that more thoroughly penetrate the skin, causing the normalization of metabolism, restoration cells, increasing firmness and elasticity. A scrub can be used 1-2 times a week. Excessive handling, which can lead to scratches, should be avoided.
- Body baths … In the modern hustle and bustle, most people prefer short-term showers, refusing to take a full bath. A half-hour stay in clean water or with the addition of useful products will help not only moisturize skin cells, but also fight the signs of aging.
There are many recipes for baths that are good for the skin. Here are a few of them:
- Milk and honey bath with rose oil … Honey (80-100 g) and rose oil (40 ml) are added to slightly warmed milk (1 glass). The resulting mixture is poured into a bath of water at a comfortable temperature. Procedure time - 30-40 minutes with periodic addition of warm water.
- Herbal bath … Herbs are a frequent savior from many ailments, including premature aging and depletion of the skin. For the recipe, ready-made herbal preparations are used, which can be purchased at pharmacies, or herbs collected and dried with their own hands. For the broth, take chamomile, sweet clover, birch leaves, thyme in the amount of 5 g, as well as hernia grass in the amount of 10 g. All the ingredients are poured with boiling water and insisted for at least an hour. The finished broth is added to the water and taken in a bath. Active in preserving youth are mint, rose petals, oregano, lemon balm.
- Mineral baths … The main ingredient is heated carbonated mineral water. The greater her concentration, the better. Instead of mineral water, you can use sea salt, but in addition to nutrition with microelements, it helps to dry the skin.
- Mustard bath … Quite a cheap option for maintaining youthful and healthy skin. Only 100 g of dry mustard added to water allows you to reduce weight, reduce puffiness, improve blood circulation, reduce the appearance of cellulite, and give elasticity. Mustard is also combined with other ingredients, for example, with sea salt in a 1 to 3 ratio, i.e. take 100 g of mustard powder and 300 g of sea salt.
How to give your skin elasticity: tips and tricks
The best way to give the skin firmness and elasticity is not to lose it, but to maintain it at the proper level, minimizing the factors that contribute to premature aging of the body and skin in particular. These, as described earlier, include bad habits, diseases that must be dealt with. There are other guidelines that can help give your skin its elasticity.
What should be done to give the skin elasticity and prevent premature aging:
- Keep track of your weight … Any sudden changes in weight are fraught with a deterioration in the condition of the skin. Do not resort to rigid diets, give up the use of unproven weight loss products.
- Observe the regime of work and rest … This rule ensures consistently good work of the whole organism.
- Exercise … Sports are important not only for health, but also for beauty. Optimal physical activity normalizes all metabolic processes in the body, contributes to the appearance of a beautiful body relief and improves skin elasticity.
- Eat normally … A healthy diet includes many natural foods. The diet should always contain cottage cheese, fish, lean meats and other protein-rich foods. Do not forget about the benefits of vegetable oils and nuts.
- Observe the drinking regime … Everyone has long known about the dangers of alcohol, carbonated drinks, which should be completely excluded from the diet. Tea, compote, pure and mineral water are drinks useful for skin beauty.
- Avoid prolonged exposure to ultraviolet rays … Tanning is beautiful, but also unsafe. The skin under UV rays quickly loses moisture, becomes dry and flabby.
- Eat vitamin complexes … In addition to the intake of nutrients into the body with food and body care products, vitamin complexes should be consumed. This will definitely speed up getting the desired result.
- Solve the problem comprehensively … You cannot get quick and lasting results by choosing any one method. It is always necessary to apply a set of measures, especially since the means and procedures given in the article are perfectly combined with each other and significantly multiply the beneficial effect.
How to give elasticity to the skin - watch the video:
Thanks to the riches of our nature, it is quite easy to take care of your body, preserving beauty and youth. All new effective procedures, which were previously possible only within the walls of salons, can now be carried out at home. One has only to be attentive to your health, take good care of the gifts of nature and use them to the fullest in order to be beautiful.
