Tighten Skin at Home:

• Be sure to wear broad-spectrum sunscreen that shields from both UVA and UVB rays every day
• In addition, there is a whole army of skin-care ingredients proven either to make skin appear tighter instantly or to boost the skin’s ability to firm itself over the long term
• Caffeine constricts blood vessels helping fine lines appear smoother. Caffeine also temporarily reduces water buildup around the eyes, which eases puffiness and makes them appear more contoured and open.
• Look for lotions with hyaluronic acid. As we age, the body produces less of this natural moisturizer and skin becomes wrinkled. Hyaluronic acid binds 1,000 times its weight in water helping to plump the skin’s surface so it looks tauter for a short time
• Glycerin increases the water content of the skin to counteract sagging caused by dryness. Look for products containing glycerin to help tighten the skin

For a lasting skin tightening fix:

• Look for products containing glycolic acid, which increases the rate of cellular turnover and stimulates collagen and elastin regeneration. It also sloughs off the top layer of damaged and dead skin cells, which helps to prevent breakouts.
• Peptides are groups of amino acids that combine to form proteins like collagen, which gives skin its firmness. Some peptides relax muscles to smooth out wrinkles, others increase collagen to plump.
• Vitamin A is one of the best topical ingredients for the skin. Topical products containing Vitamin A stimulates new collagen production, smooths the upper layers of skin and evens skin tone.

Professional treatments:

• If your face still needs a boost, you might consider visiting a skin doctor for a firming treatment. Popular these days are volume-replacement fillers and tightening procedures.
• The protein Botox can be injected into the skin to reduce muscle activity and immediately decrease the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. You should not be bothered with wrinkles on the forehead and brow area if you keep up with Botox for at least 15 years according to some skin experts. There is a mild stinging upon injection. Injections should be done once every four months. Cost is $300 to $500 according to area in which you live.

Other professional treatments include:

• Stabilized hyaluronic fillers
• Volume fillers
• Radio-frequency treatments

Incorporate some simple lifestyle habits into your life and you will have a greater chance of looking firmer much longer:

• Eat antioxidants in the form of blueberries, broccoli and pomegranates
• Drink green tea
• Apply antioxidants topically by using skin-care products that contain vitamin C, idebenone, ferulic acid and coffeeberry. They absorb free radicals and act as anti-inflammatory agents
• Take fish oil
• Keep cortisol levels in check with meditation, yoga or moderate exercise
• Get plenty of sleep
• Cut down on sweets

Source: Firm Skin. InStyle [serial online]. September 2007;14(3):547. Available from: MAS Ultra - School Edition, Ipswich, MA. Accessed August 3, 2008.

Author's Bio: 

Written by: Connie Limon To find more skin care articles and tips visit smalldogs2.com/SkinCareTips To find a variety of reprint articles visit www.camelotarticles.com