It is a common belief that changes to the skin and body only happen once you've reached your prime – your 30's or 40's – and signs of aging only reveal themselves when you hit the golden age.

Now, what if I told you that loose or sagging skin does not wait for you to become 50?

It doesn’t even wait until you’re 30.

No, that can't be true, can it? Amazingly, it is. And, yes, I was taken aback, too.

What Do You Mean I Can Get Sagging Skin in My 30's?

The sagging of your skin may even happen in your 20's. It all depends on the amount of "elasticity" your skin has.

For instance, take a look at your elbow.

I sometimes pinch the piece of loose skin on the elbow when I stretch my arm. Aside from being loose, it also looks wrinkly.

This loose wrinkly skin is called "elephant skin" but for some, it is commonly known as "crepey skin." Try it yourself.

What is Crepey Skin?

Just a little trivia about your skin; it is the largest organ in your body. It covers the entirety of your skeletal frame and muscles and is one of the parts of our body that we are most conscious about.

Now, our skin being "crepey" is concerning. It is what happens to our skin if it loses its elasticity.

To get the point across, imagine stretching cling wrap. Even if you do not stretch it to its limits, by the time you are through, the cling wrap won't easily come back to its original state.

In fact, it won't come back at all.

Did you notice that the stretched part becomes saggy?

This part is also thinner and more see-through. Lastly, the stretched part looks brittle and easily breakable. The state of this cling wrap is what having crepey skin is like.

Your skin's suppleness is created by two proteins, collagen and elastin.

Collagen is the body's main structural protein, meaning it is the one responsible for how strong and elastic your skin is.

The other type of protein, elastin, is elastic as its name suggests.

When you are pinched, for example, your skin goes back to its original form once released, right?

Elastin is responsible for that.

After all the stretching, pinching, and contracting, your skin resumes its former shape.

If your skin is similar to overstretched cling wrap, then what you have is crepey skin; the result of your body having low levels of collagen and elastin.

What Causes Crepey Skin

More importantly, how did you get it? This is especially pressing if you are still in the early half of your life.

Aside from the low levels of protein, the gradual accumulation of skin creases and expanded pores can result in a thinning of the dermis and epidermis.

When this happens, your skin looks a little like a piece of tissue or crepe, hence crepey skin.

Now crepey skin is an actual part of aging. It will most likely start in your 40's as your body has to make do with all the changes and slow processes attributed to aging.

However, some factors can give you crepey skin even if you are nowhere near 40.

Cause 1: Weight

Your weight can have a significant effect on your skin. Weight loss can mean having a lot of sagging skin in places that may or may not be exposed.

If your weight loss was sudden, your skin could sag in places such as in the stomach area, near your underarm, your neck and even on your face.

The suddenness of it all may cause your body to take a while to make the skin firm again. To be honest, your skin regaining its original form naturally is sometimes considered wishful thinking.

Weight gain, on the other hand, can either have a positive or negative effect on the state of your skin and body.

If it is much-needed weight gain, the loose skin can take on the look of being "thick." Gaining those few extra pounds – whether you meant to or not – can contribute to younger-looking skin.

Then again, like everything else, too much of anything can be bad.

For your skin, that may mean the tearing of collagen and elastin due to fat overstretching your skin. And, yes, this ends up making your skin look crepey.

Weight fluctuations can also have effects on your skin. Unfortunately, most of these changes aren't good.

Picture your skin as a rubber band. When it is new, stretching the rubber band and releasing it would be fine; it will just revert to the original shape.

But as time passes, and the rubber band is stretched and released over and over, it loosens and is considerably bigger than what it was.

If your weight fluctuates a lot, the chances of your skin becoming looser and thinner are high, as it won't as flexible as it used to be.

Cause 2: Sun Exposure

Remember that there is a perfect time to go sunbathing, and a specific time to refrain from staying out in the heat of the sun for too long?

Apparently, this precaution isn't only to save you from turning into a flaming red lobster: you will be spared a lot of health and skin-related problems, which includes crepey skin.

Overexposure to the sun makes your cells highly susceptible to free radical damage.

Free radical damage is when unstable and reactive oxygen molecules steal a stabilizing electron from its neighbors; thus, passing on the damage as the search for the missing electron is never-ending.

Free radical damage can also affect the collagen in your skin. Through the process called cross-linking, the natural elasticity of your collagen is rendered inflexible and stiff making your skin seem old, flaky, or leathery.

So, for your next trip to the beach, carefully time your sunbathing period. Only get the perfect tan; not the searing pain of a sunburn and the inconvenience of premature crepey skin.

Cause 3: Smoking

It is widely known that smoking gives the body more adverse effects than positive ones, crepey skin being one of them although it might be the least in the list of negatives.

The nicotine present in every cigarette weakens the body's ability to rejuvenate. As smoking can also dehydrate you, it depletes a lot of vitamins and minerals that give your skin the healthy suppleness it needs.

In females, a nicotine-poisoned ovary means lower levels of estrogen and this is bad news. Estrogen plays a part in the elasticity of collagen and elastin fibers, and this will eventually result in thin, crepey skin.

Cause 4: High Sugar Diet

The occasional sugary treat, if not moderated, can also contribute to crepey skin. Too much sugar in the body can negatively affect the proteins in your skin.

Through a process called glycation, your proteins bond with sugar molecules without any enzyme regulation.

How to Get Rid of Crepey Skin

Fortunately for us, crepey skin is something we can totally bid farewell. How?

The options are plentiful, and you can choose what gets under your skin – literally.

1. Injections and Procedures

Like any other skin problem, your dermatologist will have an answer on how to treat crepey skin.

Laser skin resurfacing is a standard procedure that addresses problems like wrinkles, saggy skin and so on.

This procedure has different types (ablative and non-ablative laser skin resurfacing for example), and all you have to do is choose what suits you and your skin best.

You may also opt to have dermal fillers. This material is made up of hyaluronic acid, a basic component found in our very own collagen. With this, the saggy and loose skin will be "filled" to regain youthful, plump cheeks.

However, some fillers do not work well with the different kinds of crepey skin and wrinkles. So it is better to ask your trusted dermatologist if the filler is the perfect choice for your needs.

Another common procedure to get rid of crepey skin which you might have heard about is Botox. Through Botox, your crepey skin is relaxed; it doesn’t give you the plump skin, but it gives the impression of smoothness and suppleness.

Lastly, your dermatologist may also offer some skin tightening therapies.

Since it is a therapy, it doesn’t promise a quick fix; rather it is slow and steady.

Skin tightening therapies are often done with the aid of heat either through ultrasound or laser energy – the heat is on whatever suits you.

2. Topical Creams / Antioxidants

If going through injections and regular sessions are not your style, then you may choose these methods on how to get rid of crepey skin instead.

It may require a consultation with your doctor to be safe, but you can do these at home.

A TCA (trichloroacetic acid) peel is one of the most common procedures. This takes around 4 days, or longer for some, depending on your skin type.

Although the peeling can be done at home, it is advised to let professionals apply the peel so that they can gauge what concentration your skin can handle.

A lot of precautions should also be followed after the application and staying at home is highly encouraged. TCA peels do work, but it requires your patience.

Copper peptide creams can also be a useful thing to add to your skincare routine. 

Peptides are just fragments of proteins that can help heal wounds and increase collagen production. Copper, too, has a hand in the assembly of your skin's proteins. Combine copper with peptide you have a skin-restoring cream.

Lastly, you may try using topical antioxidants.

Remember the little talk we had about free radical damage? Well, antioxidants are very effective in combating this damage. Find a product that preferably has two of these known antioxidants:

3. Changing Your Lifestyle

Moisturize! I once thought moisturizers were just a waste of time and money; I have my lotion already, why the need to moisturize? It took me dry, cracking, and itchy skin to realize that lotion is just not enough.

Use moisturizers and choose one with shea butter, jojoba oil, grapeseed oil, safflower seed oil, or any other anti-aging oils.

Also, keep yourself hydrated.

Your skin is at its best when it is kept moisturized both inside and out. Deep hydration through water will not only benefit your skin but will also flush out toxins that are harmful to your body.

Exfoliation can also help in your quest to get rid of crepey skin. Chances are the crepey-ness you have are just piles and piles of dead skin cells; scrub it.

Exfoliating can trigger your body to produce more collagen to "defend" you, as more and more skin is removed.

Try the tested and proven sugar scrub. Sugar is scientifically effective in getting rid of dead cells, plus it helps moisturize your skin.

Protect yourself from the heat of the sun. Let your skin soak in moisture and not harsh ultraviolet rays.

Religiously apply your sunscreen, whatever SPF it might be. Yes, nothing will protect you 100%, but getting a 90% shield is better than being totally toasted, right?

Exercise! When I say exercise, it is not necessary for you to become a total gym freak.

You may follow routines that can be done at home. What's important is that you do not lead a sedentary life and that you keep your muscles active. Keep moving for a toned look that will fill up the sagging crepey skin.

Enjoy a balanced diet; do not forget the effects of too much sugar on your body.

Get enough of everything and treat yourself every now and then. There's no harm in indulging yourself, but remember that every day is NOT a cheat day.

And finally, why not try a massage or facial exercise? To be beautiful inside and out use Glisodin Skin Nutrients Advanced Anti Aging Formula. 

Massages are good for the body and skin, so go ahead and get one. At home, you can also try some facial exercises like a face-lifting massage. This helps tone the underlying muscles in your face.

The Bottom Line

There you have it - a complete guide on how to deal with crepey skin.

As you can see, getting rid of crepey skin is very doable. Yes, it is a natural part of life, but don't let it arrive before it's time.

I hope this guide answered some of the questions you had in mind particularly about why your skin suddenly resembles a perfectly cooked crepe.

With the tips above, I hope you find the trick that works best for you in your quest to say goodbye to the “crepey-ness.”