What Is Plump Skin and 3 Ways to Get It
Plump skin is associated with youth and an overall healthy complexion.
Especially as you age, it is important to support your skin’s overall health, which often includes keeping it plump and supple.
But what is plump skin, and how can you get it?
Basic skin anatomy 101
To understand why plump skin is an ideal beauty standard, it’s important to first understand the basic makeup of our skin’s anatomy.
Skin is made up of three separate but connected layers — the subcutaneous layer, the dermis and the epidermis. However, of the many components that comprise the skin, the one with the most influence on how it looks is collagen.
Collagen, along with elastin, forms an “extracellular matrix” that helps to support the skin. The amount of these proteins in the skin’s extracellular matrix directly relates to its appearance — a lower amount means thinner, less elastic and less firm skin.
Unfortunately, as we age, the amount of collagen in our skin starts to decline — as does our body’s ability to produce it. To maintain radiant, plump skin, it's crucial to find ways to supplement that collagen loss.
3 ways to get plump skin
So, how can you get plumper-looking skin? We have three ways to support your skin.
1. Switch up your skin care routine
The skin care products you use have an impact on how your skin performs, feels and appears. When you use products that support your goals and unique skin care needs, you give it the nourishment it needs to thrive.
Your skin care routine should be customized from start to finish, from your cleanser to your sunscreen. Each and every product you use can have an influence on your skin — both positive and negative.
Products that help to support collagen production are key to keeping your skin firm and plump. These include products with active ingredients like retinols and salicylic acid, and high-quality moisturizers that support your skin as it heals itself.
If you’re unsure what products would work best for your skin, reach out to us! We’d love to see you for a skin consultation and discuss how you can best support your complexion.
2. Be mindful of how you treat your skin
The way we treat our skin can also have a significant impact on how quickly the collagen starts to break down. Even seemingly harmless things like rubbing your face with a towel after you wash it can negatively influence how your skin looks and feels.
One of the biggest factors that impacts your skin and overall health is the sun. How many times have you gone outside without sunscreen? How many sunburns would you estimate you’ve had?
Every time our skin is exposed to ultraviolet radiation from the sun, damage is done. Wearing sunscreen — one with an SPF of at least 30, broad-spectrum protection and water resistance — significantly reduces the risk of sun damage.
Every time you leave the house, whether it’s just for a quick walk outside or an afternoon on the beach, you should wear sunscreen. Sunscreen should always be the last step in your morning skin care routine.
If you’re going to be outside for a long period of time, sweating excessively or in or around water, make sure that you reapply frequently.
Other ways to protect your skin and keep it looking its best include using lukewarm (not hot) water, switching to a softer washcloth or towel, using silk pillowcases and patting (not rubbing) your skin to dry it. Your lifestyle can impact your skin and, in some cases, speed up visible signs of aging. We always recommend a combination of treatments, products and healthy habits to help keep your skin plump and youthful.
3. Use cosmetic treatments appropriately
If you’re looking for quicker results, cosmetic treatments performed by experienced skin care providers are just the thing.
We offer a variety of cosmetic treatments at Skin Pharm that can make a natural yet noticeable difference in the look of your skin’s firmness and overall appearance. When looking to plump the skin, many patients opt for dermal fillers, like Juvederm and Restylane.
These products are injected just under the skin and add volume to areas that may be lacking it. However, the results can be customized to be as subtle or as obvious as you’d like. Dermal filler lasts for six to 12 months, so follow-up appointments to maintain your results are a good idea.
Microneedling is also an effective way to support the collagen in your skin. Microneedling involves making controlled punctures to the skin to trick it into thinking it needs to heal quicker in those areas. It can also be combined with platelet-rich plasma (PRP) for even more impressive and obvious results.
Combining these treatments with others like Botox can help your skin look firm and plump. Using Botox around the lip area for a lip flip is a great way to add volume without filler.
In summary...
While most of us are born with plump skin, that youthful firmness and volume naturally fades as we age. Taking steps to preserve the volume in your skin — especially in your face — can keep you looking and feeling as youthful on the outside as you feel on the inside.
Skin Pharm’s team of caring, experienced advanced practice providers is ready to help you achieve the skin of your dreams.
Peer review
This article was medically reviewed by Chelsie Rogers, PA-C, a board-certified physician assistant with 6 years of experience in cosmetic dermatology.
SOURCES:
Anatomy, Skin (Integument) - StatPearls | NCBI Bookshelf
Collagen: A review on its sources and potential cosmetic applications | PubMed
