Skin Sagging begins to be noticeable at age 35: Why is this and what can be done

Why Sagging Skin Becomes Noticeable at 35 & How to Reverse It with Attiva, PDO Threads, and More

Aging is an inevitable process, but it often feels like it sneaks up on us. Many people first notice visible skin sagging around age 35, even if they’ve maintained a solid skincare routine. The culprit? A combination of natural biological changes, environmental stressors, and lifestyle factors. But the good news is that there are cutting-edge treatments to help restore a youthful, lifted appearance without surgery.

At Aesthetic Med Studio, we offer some of the most advanced non-surgical treatments to address sagging skin, including Attiva RF, PDO threads, dermal fillers, and laser or RF microneedling. Understanding why skin starts to sag and how to combat it can help you make the best decision for your aesthetic needs.

Why Does Sagging Skin Begin Around Age 35?

While everyone’s skin ages at a different rate, most people begin to see sagging and volume loss in their mid-30s. Several factors contribute to these changes:

1. Collagen and Elastin Breakdown

Collagen and elastin are the structural proteins that keep our skin firm and elastic. Around age 25, the body’s natural production of these proteins begins to decline at a rate of 1-2% per year. By the time you reach 35, this decrease becomes more noticeable as the skin starts to lose its tightness and resilience.

2. Loss of Facial Fat & Bone Density

Aging doesn’t just affect the skin—it also impacts the underlying support structures. Fat pads in the cheeks, temples, and jawline gradually diminish, leading to a hollowed look and sagging skin. Additionally, the bones of the face shrink over time, exacerbating the loss of structure and support.

3. Gravity & Repeated Facial Movements

Gravity continuously pulls down on the skin, causing it to sag over time. In addition, years of facial expressions, such as smiling or frowning, contribute to the development of fine lines and deeper wrinkles.

4. Skin Thinning & Dehydration

As collagen decreases, the skin becomes thinner and drier, making it more prone to sagging. The loss of hyaluronic acid (HA), which keeps skin plump and hydrated, also plays a role in this process.

5. Environmental Damage & Lifestyle Factors

• Sun exposure breaks down collagen faster and accelerates aging.
• Smoking and alcohol consumption contribute to collagen breakdown and skin dehydration.
• Poor diet and lack of hydration can result in skin that looks dull and less firm.
• Stress and lack of sleep trigger cortisol production, which speeds up collagen loss.
  

How to Fix Sagging Skin Without Surgery

Now that we understand why sagging happens, let’s explore the best non-surgical solutions to lift, tighten, and rejuvenate the skin.

1. Attiva RF: The Revolutionary Skin Tightening Treatment

Best for: Moderate to severe skin laxity on the face, jawline, neck, and full body tightening.

How it Works:

Attiva RF is one of the most advanced radio-frequency skin tightening treatments available today. Unlike traditional RF microneedling, Attiva delivers AI Controlled Heat beneath the skin, tightening connective tissue and stimulating deep collagen remodeling.

Why It Works:

• Endodermal Radio-frequency, creates a more specific heat than other radio frequency devices to tighten in the perfect areas/depths for skin tightening.
• Causes immediate contraction of collagen fibers for an instant lift.
• Stimulates long-term collagen production for results that get better and better for long lasting results.
• Can be used on jowls, cheeks, neck, eyelids and full body areas.

Results:

• Noticeable tightening after one session.
• Continual improvement for up to a year as collagen rebuilds.
• Minimally invasive with very little downtime - typically much less than a CO2 laser or other similar laser resurfacing.

2. PDO Threads: A Non-Surgical Facelift

Best for: Instant skin lifting with long-term collagen stimulation.

How it Works:

PDO (Polydioxanone) threads are absorbable sutures inserted under the skin to lift sagging tissue. Over time, these threads dissolve and trigger collagen production, leading to natural skin tightening.

Why It Works:

• Provides an instant lift with no major downtime.
• Stimulates natural collagen growth for long-term results.
• Ideal for jawline, midface, eyebrows, and neck.

Results:

• Immediate lifting effects that improve over 3-6 months.
• Threads dissolve within 6-9 months, but collagen production continues.
• Results last 6-9 months - most marketing that you will read may say results last 12-18 months, but even the highest quality threads will not realistically see this longevity.
  

3. Dermal Fillers: Restoring Volume for a Youthful Look

Best for: Volume loss, Sculpting/Enhancement and mild sagging.

How it Works:

Dermal fillers replace lost volume in areas that have hollowed or sagged due to aging. By strategically placing hyaluronic acid (HA) fillers, we can restore facial contours and create a lifted appearance.

Best Fillers for Sagging Skin:

• Juvederm Voluma XC – Lifts and volumizes cheeks, midface, and jawline.
• Restylane Lyft – Restores structure to cheeks and jawline.
• Revance RHA 4 – Lifts and volumizes while offering a natural movement within the injected area

Results:

• Immediate volume restoration.
• Long-lasting effects (12-24 months depending on the filler).
• Can be combined with PDO threads or Attiva RF for enhanced results.
  

4. RF Microneedling & Laser Skin Tightening

Best for: Mild to moderate skin laxity, fine lines, and texture improvement.

RF Microneedling - (popular devices like INTRAcel, Morpheus8, Vivace)

• RF microneedling combines microneedling with radiofrequency energy to tighten skin, stimulate collagen, and improve texture.

Benefits:

• Encourages deep collagen remodeling.
• Improves fine lines, crepey skin, and mild sagging.
• Great for jawline, under-eyes, and neck.
• Laser Skin Tightening (CO2 Resurfacing & Erbium Lasers)
• Fractional CO2 & Erbium lasers resurface the skin, improving texture and tightness.
• Works well for skin laxity, wrinkles, and overall rejuvenation.

Results:

• Smoother, firmer skin within 4-6 weeks.
• Collagen boost continues for up to 6 months.
• Minimal downtime with noticeable improvements.

Which Treatment is Best for You?

The best treatment depends on the severity of sagging, desired results, and personal preferences. There is no cut and dry "best for you" treatment as that will always depend on your goals, budget and the amount of time you have to reach a desired result. For these reasons, we always recommend a free consultation to see what customized treatment plan may be best for you. 

For optimal results, combining treatments often provides the most dramatic and natural-looking improvements.

Reversing Sagging Skin Without Surgery

If you’re noticing skin laxity around age 35 and beyond, non-surgical treatments like Attiva RF, PDO threads, dermal fillers, CO2 Resurfacing and RF microneedling can help you restore a more youthful, lifted appearance without downtime.

At Aesthetic Med Studio, we specialize in creating customized treatment plans to tighten, lift, and rejuvenate your skin using the latest state-of-the-art technologies.

Book Your Free Consultation Today

We proudly serve Springfield MO, Ozark MO, Rogersville MO, Southern-Hills Springfield MO, West Battlefield Road, Bradford-Park Springfield MO, Park-West-Village Springfield MO, National-Park Springfield MO, Ravenwood Springfield MO, Oak-Grove Springfield MO, and Mumford Springfield MO.

Call or text (417) 889 - 5274 today to start your journey to firmer, more youthful skin at Aesthetic Med Studio!