How to Describe Skin Turgor

Learn what skin turgor is and how to increase it to maintain youthful-looking skin. Follow these tips to improve skin elasticity and firmness naturally.

Skin turgor refers to the elasticity or resilience of the skin. It is commonly used by healthcare providers to assess a person’s hydration status. The term “turgor” is used by dermatologists and cosmetologists when assessing the general condition of the skin, its density, elasticity, and the likelihood of creases.”

Factors Affecting Skin Turgor

Turgor is affected by factors such as the level of skin hydration, the quality and quantity of collagen and elastin in the skin. Hydration occurs due to the work of lipids and sebaceous glands. The upper layer of the skin, that is, the epidermis, contains substances that accumulate a sufficient amount of water, and lipids prevent the loss of this water.

Collagen and elastin are proteins that are extremely important for healthy skin. The substances of the former are particularly strong and highly resistant to stretching: one fiber with a diameter of 1 mm can withstand a load of up to 20 kg. This is what primarily protects the skin from stretching and protects against injuries. Elastin is responsible for the elasticity of the skin.
Nature has ensured that the skin is constantly moisturized and produces a sufficient amount of collagen and elastin. In youth, the ratio between the synthesis of these substances and their destruction is 1:1. That is, the skin constantly maintains a balance and the amount of collagen produced is equal to the amount destroyed.

With age, natural processes slow down, the amount of proteins consumed by the skin gradually begins to exceed the amount produced. Accordingly, the skin turgor decreases, and it becomes wrinkled and flabby.

Signs of changes in skin turgor

Of course, you can focus on the appearance of your skin and complexion, but for a more accurate result, it is better to use the so-called “pinch test”. To do this, use your index finger and thumb to pinch the skin on your cheek into a fold and release.

  • If the skin immediately smooths out as soon as you release the fold, the turgor is satisfactory.
  • If the skin remembers the position of the fold and it takes time for it to smooth out, the turgor is low.

In addition, flabbiness and dryness also occur, the skin seems to fade and can even visually give the impression of being gray and dark, wrinkles, ptosis, bags under the eyes appear. When turgor is lost, sensations also change – the skin becomes tight, and attempts to touch the face with hands can cause discomfort.

Methods for maintaining and restoring skin turgor

To slow down the decline in turgor and resist natural age-related processes in the skin, you need to choose the right care products and procedures. In this case, you should focus on the needs of your skin type and age.

Products to prevent dehydration are a must – with a high content of hyaluronic acid, antioxidants, peptides, glycans, vitamins C, E, resveratrol, selenium. Also, we must not forget about protection from UV radiation – they help preserve natural collagen and slow down photoaging (the process of skin damage associated with exposure to ultraviolet rays).

Such procedures as biorevitalization, bioreparation, peelings, needle RF-lifting, CO2 laser resurfacing, SMAS-lifting will help to strengthen the protein framework of the skin and stimulate the production of collagen and elastin.

When choosing skin care products and procedures, it is important to remember about regularity. The best results can be achieved if you take care of your skin constantly, including at home. And then the skin will not only be beautiful, but also healthy, it will correctly perform all its functions, regardless of age.