Gravity forces everything in a downward motion, including the skin. It’s just that it’s not noticeable when we’re young because there are other factors in play. As the body ages and goes through specific physiological changes, the effects of gravity on the skin become more and more noticeable. The question is, since we can’t prevent gravity, can we influence how much or how little it affects the skin? Fortunately, the answer is a resounding “yes.”
Skin Growth
When a baby is firstborn, the total surface area of the skin is obviously the least it will be in his lifetime. As the human body grows, the skin stretches and grows along with it to accommodate the changes, reaching a peak physical size somewhere between the late teens and mid-20s. With the extra pounds usually added around the midsection, the skin will stretch to accommodate increased size. Unfortunately, it doesn’t shrink so easily.
Gravity and Aging
Loss of bone density and mass is common as we age, more so among women than men. But in both sexes, as bones are reduced in size they retreat from muscles and skin, thereby leading to less overall body size. Muscles and tendons will retreat as well, and even shrink somewhat as their usage is reduced, but skin will remain the same. Knowing this, it’s easy to see why the effects of gravity are more noticeable as we age.
Another culprit in gravity-induced skin issues comes in the form of fatty deposits. While it’s common for people to put on excess weight as they age, certain fatty deposits in the body actually disappear in later years. One of the places this commonly occurs is around the eye sockets. As the fatty tissue is eliminated the skin begins to sag, resulting in bags under the eyes. We see similar sagging along the jaw line, under the chin, and on the neck.
Combating the Affects of Gravity
Good overall health, including proper diet, goes a long way in helping combat the effects of gravity on the skin. A calcium rich diet helps to reduce bone density while maintaining good levels of vitamin C also help to promote suppleness and elasticity. But since gravity itself cannot be avoided, the addition of anti-aging creams will also help mitigate the effects of gravity on the skin. These topical creams promote rejuvenation and rebuilding of skin cells, improved elasticity, and increased plumpness; all effective in combating gravity.
