Skin Firming
The process of skin firming is most often associated with a skincare regimen that includes treating cellulite, sagging or loose skin and wrinkles. Skin firming is also frequently related to facial rejuvenation procedures such as collagen injections and Botox treatments.
There has been some degree of debate in the skin care and beauty solution industry as to the effectiveness of skin firming products such as skin firming cream, serum and moisturizers. None the less, there is not shortage of firming skin products for any skin type from which to choose.
The goal of a firming skin care is to tighten loose skin to create a more appealing and youthful appearance and often includes the use of three different types of products and two medical procedures:
Skin Firming Products
Body Wraps - With this treatment, the body is covered with an mineral clay or mud, moisturizing ingredients such as aloe and essential oils, hydrating fluid and emollient moisturizer. A tightly fitting cloth or gauze like substance is then used to wrap the body. The goal of using this treatment is for body skin firming and to promote sweating, the opening of pores and the removal of toxins that can become trapped in both the skin and its connective tissue which leads to loose skin and cellulite.
Creams and Lotions
Firming skin cream and firming skin lotion are perhaps the most controversial of the products associated with skin firming. These products usually contain ingredients such as Omega Acids, Shea Butter Retinol, Emu oil, Green Tea, Hyaluraonic Acid and extracts such as Centella Asiatica. Though some studies have shown that these ingredients can be effective in firming the skin, questions remain as to how effective a purely topical product can be as a skin firming treatment. Eye firming cream is widely available and aimed at providing that "under eye lift" for aging skin around the eyes.
Masks
Almost everyone is familiar with facial or mud mask treatments. Using certain types of clay such as Rhassoul Clay which originates from Morocco. Though most mud an clay masks have been created to treat oily skin and general elasticity issues, some have been shown to draw out toxins and cleanse the upper layers of the skin. This is turn can lead to some degree of skin firming by reducing the amount of material trapped in and underneath the skin.
Medical Procedures
Collagen Treatment - During Collagen skin firming procedures, human or bovine (cow) collage is injected into areas where loose skin, wrinkling or scarring has occurred to "fill in" the area underneath the skin. The effects of collagen injections generally last up to 6 months after which time, additional treatments may be needed. Most often, these procedures are applied to mature skin.
Botox Injections - Often used to treat the lines on the face that are the result of repetitive facial movements (such as "crows feet" or "laugh lines"). These injections are considered a plastic surgery procedure and part of a cosmetic aging skin treatment regimen.
Botulinum toxin is injected directly into affected areas where it relaxes the underlying muscles that are the root cause of lines and wrinkles. This is why those who choose Botox as a skin firming approach often have limited movement in their face following the procedure. It is not recommended for use by pregnant women, those with nervous disorders or too close to the eyelid where it can cause drooping.
Some organic skin care ingredients can also been used in firming skin such as lemon juice, honey, lavender oil, vitamin e oil, yogurt, avocado, tomato, banana, oat flour and raspberries.
