It is common to see that sagging upper arms leads to loss of self-confidence. It happens due to a multitude of causes which include both lifestyle and biological factors. However, you can overcome sagging upper arms with consistency and perseverance.
What Does Sagging Upper Arms Mean?
If you have sagging upper arms, there is loose and hanging skin under the upper arms. The condition is also known as “bat wings” or “upper arm ptosis”. The key to improving sagging upper arms is to understand why and how the condition happens. There are some lifestyle changes and surgical solutions available to alleviate the saggy skin.
The Causes of Sagging Upper Arms
As they age, many people face the issue of sagging upper arms. Multiple factors influence this concerning physical change. Some of them are listed below:
Age-related Changes
With advancing age, the levels of collagen and elastin naturally decrease leading to an increase in skin laxity and drooping. The upper arms are not spared from these aging changes. Combined with the ever-present pull of gravity, the loss of collagen and elastin adversely impacts skin elasticity and tone.
Decreased Muscle Tone
An inactive and sedentary lifestyle is another common reason for the sagging skin of the upper arms. Muscles lose tone and atrophy (decrease in size because of disuse) due to lack of activity, leading to the laxity of the overlying skin.
Toning exercise, strength, and resistance training are the best ways to improve muscle tone, firmness, and elasticity.
Genetics
Traits like the distribution of fat, skin elasticity, and loose upper arm skin, are influenced by genetics. These physical features run in families and the only way to change or combat them is to make impactful lifestyle modifications.
Hormonal Influence
Hormonal fluctuations, such as those during menopause, lead to a noticeable decrease in muscle tone and elasticity, due to a drop in levels of elastin and collagen. This is further exacerbated by a decrease in both estrogen and progesterone levels which leads to sagging of the upper arms.
Lifestyle Practices
A sedentary lifestyle is one of the most important factors contributing to loss of muscles and sagging upper arm skin. In addition to this, a diet lacking essential proteins, vitamins, and minerals accelerates the sagging and drooping of the upper arms.
UV Radiation
People who spend excessive amounts of time in the sun without sun protection suffer from skin damage and muscle loss. Long-term exposure to UV radiation leads to skin pigmentation and a decrease in the levels of collagen and elastin. The upper arm skin is especially affected due to the abundance of soft tissue, making the damage more noticeable in this area.
Ineffective Skincare
An effective skincare regimen is a supportive measure along with proper diet and exercise. Many people do not consider body care as an essential part of skincare. This lack of body care leads to dry and inelastic skin. It increases the possibility of sagging.
Inadequate Water Intake
Dehydration or insufficient water intake directly impacts skin elasticity. Therefore, during exercise you might not see any fat loss in your upper arms.
Pregnancy
Post-pregnancy weight loss leads to loose and droopy skin all over the body. The sudden decrease in weight prevents the skin and muscle from bouncing back sufficiently after being stretched for a prolonged period. The upper arms are not averse to these post-pregnancy changes and might suffer from sagging and increased skin laxity.
Fluctuating Weight
Rapid fluctuations in weight affect the muscle tone and elasticity of the upper arms. Excessive weight gain leads to extra fat in the upper arms, hence stretching the skin and making it look saggy and uneven. Sudden weight loss doesn’t allow the skin to rebound as quickly.
How to Treat Sagging Upper Arms?
Although no medicine will reverse the sagging of the upper arm skin and improve its elasticity, several surgical and non-surgical procedures are available according to the severity of sagging and individual preferences. These include:
Non-surgical
Some non-invasive or minimally invasive interventions available to combat sagging upper arms include:
- Liposuction
- Radiofrequency therapy
- Laser treatments
- Cool Sculpting
- Dermal fillers
Surgical
Surgical treatment options to improve muscle tone and alleviate sagging upper arms include brachioplasty or an upper arm lift. The goal of the surgery is to reconstruct the area under the upper arms while removing an excessive amount of skin.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Do upper arm exercises alleviate upper arm sagging?
Yes, sagging upper arm exercises improve the condition. The level of improvement depends on the extent of sagging.
Will the saggy skin improve on its own?
Healthy skin may snap back or rebound after early to moderate sagging.
At what age do saggy upper arms appear?
Barring exceptions, this physical change starts during the 30s and 40s.
