Let’s be honest, arms with that dreaded “bat wing” look are far from flattering! Many women feel so self-conscious about this loose, sagging skin that they stop wearing short sleeves altogether. Not ideal when the heat is on and all you want is to slip into a cute top… But what actually causes this skin laxity? And more importantly, what can you do to firm up the skin under your arms?
Why is the skin on my arms sagging?
1- Age
The first and main cause of skin laxity is ageing. It rarely brings good news — and even less so for the skin. Over time, the skin on the arms naturally loses its elasticity and firmness. The culprit: a decline in collagen production and a reduction in elastin reserves. Yet these two skin proteins are essential for maintaining its resilience and suppleness. As we age, the skin becomes more slack, including on the underside of the arms. Add to this muscle loss: it is estimated that between the ages of 40 and 90, we lose around 40% of our muscle mass. This is driven by hormonal decline, a reduced ability to metabolise macro- and micronutrients, and increased inflammation. None of it does our arms any favours.
2- Hormonal changes
Let’s talk about the elephant in the room: menopause. We’ve touched on age, but it’s worth taking a closer look at the role hormones play in skin firmness. Female sex hormones — oestrogen and progesterone — help maintain the skin’s elasticity and hydration, among other things. But with the onset of menopause, these hormones gradually diminish and eventually disappear. As a result, the skin changes in nature: it becomes dry, rougher, and above all, softer. This is when the skin on the arms begins to sag.
3- The effects of weight loss
Weight loss — especially when rapid and significant — can trigger a number of changes. First, muscle loss: when the body is put on a restrictive diet, it draws energy from all its reserves, including fat but also muscle. As the muscles atrophy, the connective tissues loosen… and the skin on the arms starts to sag. On top of that, weight loss weakens the dermis itself. Skin that was once taut suddenly loses its structure as volume disappears.
4- Lack of exercise
Sometimes, skin laxity on the arms can be traced back to poor lifestyle habits, and in particular a lack of physical activity. Exercise has a direct impact on your overall health, and also on the tone of the arm muscles, which sit just beneath the skin. Moving regularly is one of those good habits for looking after yourself and your skin. To find out more, take a look at our tips for tackling cellulite.
5- Lack of hydration
One last possible cause: lack of hydration. Because yes, even the skin on your arms deserves a little massage with a moisturising cream or a nourishing oil! Dehydrated skin means tightness, reduced suppleness, dryness, a creased and sagging appearance, and a loss of volume. If the skin on your arms is sagging, it may simply be because you’re not moisturising your body properly — or because you’re forgetting to apply cream to this slightly hidden area that’s easy to overlook.
6- Other contributing factors
Finally, other factors can contribute to skin flaccidity on the arms, including:
- Excessive sun exposure, as UV rays cause cellular damage that compromises skin quality.
- Stress, because cortisol produced under chronic stress has a damaging effect on the skin’s structural integrity.
- Alcohol and tobacco, which lead to dehydration and oxidative stress.
- Genetics, as skin laxity is partly hereditary.
- Diet, because a diet lacking in vitamins, minerals, water and essential fatty acids cannot provide the skin with the nutrients it needs to look its best.
What can you do to firm up the skin on your arms?
To get toned arms back, the first step is to focus on healthy lifestyle habits.
The body cream that hydrates and helps firm the skin
- Kigeline & Fenugreek, two plant-based actives at the heart of the formula
- Hydrates the skin and helps strengthen its firmness on targeted areas
- Melting texture: it absorbs quickly, with no residue or greasy film
1- A smart diet
Certain foods are particularly good for your skin. So it’s worth adding the following to your plate:
- Legumes: they contain vitamin B5 and selenium.
- Oily fish: mackerel, tuna, sardines and salmon provide vitamin E.
- Seafood: a source of copper and zinc.
- Nuts and seeds: reach for almonds, walnuts and hazelnuts — they provide unsaturated fats and have their place in a varied diet.
- Fruit and vegetables: beta-carotene, vitamin C, water — plant foods provide a wide range of nutrients.
- Eggs and dairy products: natural sources of vitamin A.
Varying your diet and eating a balanced one is a good way to look after your skin, including the skin on your arms. Don’t expect miracles: skin doesn’t firm up by magic. But your skin will be better placed to stay comfortable and supple.
2- Targeted physical activity
To address skin laxity on the arms, it’s essential to maintain toned muscle mass in that area. Two approaches to consider:
- Small daily efforts to work your arms. This can include simple movements using everyday objects: water bottles as makeshift dumbbells, half push-ups against the back of the sofa, stretches in front of the TV… Add in some fun activities that get your arms moving: playing fetch with your dog, a game of volleyball with friends, gardening or DIY…
- A sport that targets the arms, and there are plenty to choose from! You could try fitness with a resistance band (like the one in our fitness and body care set!). You can also opt for a sport that works the biceps, triceps and deltoids: swimming, windsurfing, martial arts, Nordic walking, tennis, basketball… The options are endless!
3- Firming skincare
Finding the right product to tackle sagging skin under the arms is no easy feat — we know. Between DIY remedies and miracle-product promises, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. At Cellublue, we’ve thought of you and this often-forgotten area. That’s why we developed a targeted treatment specifically for your arms: the Firming Arm Spray.
With a formula that is 99.9% naturally derived, enriched with Red Vine and Blueberry extracts, this spray is designed to care for the skin on your arms. Lightweight, refreshing and non-greasy, it slips easily into your beauty routine so you can feel good every day.
4- Regular moisturising for the skin on your arms
As we’ve seen, dehydrated skin looks less supple, drier and more crepey. Make sure you drink enough throughout the day for your general comfort. And remember not to skip this slightly hidden area when you apply your skincare.
A quick massage with a moisturiser, our Firming Cream or a massage oil fits easily into your routine. Combined with a varied diet and targeted exercise, this little pampering moment is a way to look after the underside of your arms, an area that’s all too easy to overlook.
What about aesthetic medicine for firming arm skin?
If, despite your best efforts, the skin on your arms continues to sag, there is another avenue: aesthetic medicine. Several options exist, including:
- Ultrasound: a technique that applies vibrations and heat to the skin, a little like micro-massages.
- Radiofrequency: a technique that warms the deeper tissues with very high-frequency electromagnetic waves applied through the skin.
- Tensor threads: a less invasive procedure than cosmetic surgery, carried out under local anaesthetic, in which resorbable threads are inserted into the skin of the arms to tighten it.
- Brachioplasty: a surgical procedure that removes excess skin. It may be preceded by local liposuction if there is excess fat in the arms.
These techniques fall within the field of medicine: only a doctor can assess your individual situation and tell you which options, if any, might be suitable for you.
Frequently asked questions
How do you get rid of saggy skin under the arms?
Skin doesn’t tighten up by magic. It’s best to combine several habits: a varied diet, exercise that works the biceps, triceps and deltoids, good hydration and firming skincare. If the sagging persists, aesthetic medicine offers other options, to be discussed with a doctor (see the final section).
How can I tone the underside of my arms when the skin is sagging?
You don’t tone the skin itself, but the muscles underneath it. Small everyday movements are enough to get started: water bottles as dumbbells, half push-ups against the back of the sofa, resistance band exercises. Swimming, Nordic walking and tennis also work the arms.
Why does the skin on your arms start to sag?
Age is the main cause: over the years, skin naturally loses elasticity and muscle mass decreases. Menopause, lack of exercise and lack of hydration also play a part. Sun exposure, stress, alcohol, smoking, genetics and diet can come into play too (see the first section).
Is surgery the only option for bingo wings?
Not necessarily. Aesthetic medicine offers several approaches, some more involved than others, and only a doctor can assess your situation and advise you on the options available. Day to day, a varied diet, targeted exercise, good hydration and firming skincare remain simple habits to adopt.
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Useful categories: Slimming Solutions, Weight Management.
