How to Maintain Skin Elasticity in Middle Age and Why It Declines

[Lee Euddeuk, Dermatology Specialist]

For those who want a more comfortable-looking face,

this is a message from Ijiham Dermatology.

In the clinic, I meet patients with various skin concerns every day. I often hear people say, "My face seems to have sagged more than before" or "When I look in the mirror, it feels unfamiliar." If you are reading this, you may be feeling something similar.

For those who find it difficult to maintain skin elasticity in middle age, today I would like to calmly explain why skin elasticity declines and how Thermage lifting may help.

I hope this article helps you organize your concerns, from the causes of skin changes to the direction of care.

Although it is said to change naturally,

why skin sags as we age When you first understand the causes of

reduced skin elasticity, it becomes

clear what kind of care is needed.

Inside our skin are proteins called collagen and

elastin, which are responsible for

supporting and maintaining skin elasticity.

Collagen acts as the skin’s "framework,"

and elastin is the component that keeps

the skin elastic like a "rubber band."

However, after the mid-20s,

the synthesis of these two components

begins to gradually decrease.

As people enter their 40s, the pace

becomes more noticeable,

and in women, after menopause,

decreasing estrogen tends to accelerate

collagen loss even further.

When this is combined with cumulative UV exposure,

lack of sleep,

and chronic fatigue,

the dermis becomes thinner,

and changes such as cheek sagging,

nasolabial folds, and a less-defined jawline

appear in combination.

This is not simply a change caused by

a lack of moisture; it is because the skin’s

structure itself changes, which is why

maintaining skin elasticity in middle age

cannot be done with moisturizer alone.

How radiofrequency energy acts on the skin

Thermage lifting is a lifting method that

delivers radiofrequency (RF)

energy deep into the dermis to provide

heat stimulation.

A key feature of this method is that it

induces collagen synthesis from within

the skin without surgery.

The hot energy simultaneously contracts

the existing collagen in the dermis and

promotes the production of new collagen.

It is similar to how fibers contract and

become firmer when an old sweater is

washed in hot water.

At Ijiham Dermatology, Thermage is used,

and this device can help with skin tightening

by evenly delivering energy to the dermis

and the SMAS layer beneath it.

Effects may gradually appear between

4 and 12 weeks after treatment,

and many people notice clear changes

after 2 to 3 months as collagen is synthesized.

It is best to understand that this is not

an immediate result, but a process of

gradual recovery within the skin.

Features of Thermage and the treatment process

Unlike ultrasound lifting, Thermage lifting

uses radiofrequency energy, so heat is

applied directly within the dermis without

damaging the skin surface.

Another reason many people choose it is that

it causes almost no disruption to daily life

after the procedure.

There may be slight warmth or redness

immediately afterward, but in most cases

it settles within a few days, and washing

your face and going out are often possible

from the same day.

It can be applied not only to tighten the

entire face but also to the neck area,

so it can be used for neck wrinkles

and neck sagging as well.

After applying a numbing cream, the

procedure usually takes about 30 minutes

to 1 hour, and during the treatment you may

feel warmth or a slight stinging sensation.

Some people notice changes after just one

treatment, but depending on the skin condition

and degree of sagging, repeated treatments

or combining it with ultrasound lifting may

also be recommended.

The direction for maintaining skin elasticity

in middle age is determined based on

a diagnosis tailored to each patient's skin condition.

Daily care to do together after lifting

Daily care after the procedure also affects

the results.

For about one week after the procedure,

it is best to avoid high-temperature

environments such as saunas or jjimjilbangs.

We recommend applying sunscreen carefully

with an SPF50+ product.

Because ultraviolet rays are one of the main

factors that interfere with collagen synthesis,

sun protection is important for protecting

collagen that is in the process of forming.

Adequate hydration and moisturizing care

also help create a skin environment where

collagen can be maintained.

In daily life, regular sleep habits,

not smoking, and a balanced diet can have

a positive effect on maintaining skin elasticity

in middle age.

Although results vary from person to person,

they generally may last about 6 months to 1 year,

so setting up a regular care plan according to

that cycle can help you maintain steady changes.

Direction for continuing positive changes

Changes in the skin do not appear suddenly

at some point.

They are a natural process that occurs as

collagen in the skin gradually decreases,

and this process can be delayed and managed

with the right methods.

What matters is starting by accurately

understanding the current skin condition.

Even among people of the same age group,

the appropriate care direction differs depending

on skin thickness, the degree of sagging,

and lifestyle habits.

The process of examining the skin condition

through consultation and finding the right

method for it is the most important part.

Rather than flashy words, our principle of care

at Ijiham Dermatology is to provide trust

through actual positive changes in the skin.

Finding a face that feels comfortable to you,

rather than excessive change,

comes first.

Lastly, a few words from Lee Euddeuk

Maintaining skin elasticity in middle age

is not something that changes everything

with just one method;

it becomes possible only when steady attention

and honest diagnosis accumulate over time.

Ijiham Dermatology provides diagnosis and

direction tailored to each patient's skin condition.

If you are worried about skin changes,

I hope this article today can serve as

a small guide.

At this moment,

I want to tell those who are thinking alone

in front of the mirror that it is never too late

to start now.

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