Skin Sagging

Why Do We Have Saggy Skin?

Saggy skin, or skin with increased laxity, is a natural part of ageing. It often develops due to a combination of genetics and environmental factors, such as cumulative UV exposure and smoking. Over time, the body produces less collagen and elastin, and the quality of these fibres also declines. Because collagen and elastin are responsible for providing structure, firmness, and elasticity, reduced levels mean the skin gradually loses its ability to stay firm and tight.

You may notice saggy skin when it no longer springs back smoothly after a gentle pinch, or when the skin around areas like the mouth stretches more easily and resists less against external forces. These changes are considered a normal consequence of the ageing process.

Facial volume loss through age-related depletion of bone and fat can also contribute to saggy skin. Without support from the layers below, your skin above is relatively more lax, in the same way that a deflated balloon appears more dimpled and crinklier than a fully inflated balloon.

These changes are considered a normal consequence of the ageing process that we all experience at some point in our lives.

How Is Saggy Skin Treated At Melbourne’s Dr. Jodie Clinic?

The Dr. Jodie clinic offers consultations for your saggy skin concerns.

Fortunately, saggy skin can be addressed in a multitude of ways, with a combination approach best for optimising your results.

Prevention is always better than cure. Dr. Jodie encourages all her clients to lead a healthy lifestyle, which includes protection from UV exposure and not smoking. 50+ SPF sunscreen should be applied multiple times a day and adequate protective outerwear (including a hat, sunglasses, and clothing) should be worn to minimise exposure.

Dr. Jodie has a range of treatments and devices to assist with skin tightening. These include medical treatments, skin care, skin peels, LED therapy, mono threads, and devices. Laser Genesis is great for skin smoothing and firming, while the Scarlet S Radio Frequency is our most potent way to tighten up that outer skin envelope at the Dr. Jodie clinic. Excel V+ Laser and Medi Pulse Pro XL IPL therapy may also play a role in skin rejuvenation.

What Happens At Your Dr. Jodie Consultation For Saggy Skin?

Your Dr. Jodie clinician will carefully assess your face and medical history to determine your pattern of ageing and to see if you are a good candidate for treatment. Once the factors contributing to your saggy skin have been identified, she will create a treatment plan unique to your aesthetic requirements, budget, lifestyle, and preferences. Your treatment plan will be explained at length, including information about the treatment process, risks and benefits, recovery time, and costs. You will have ample opportunity to have all your questions answered and to participate in the treatment planning process. Your progress will always be documented with standardised clinical photography.

To better understand available treatments to achieve tighter skin, let’s explore a few of our more popular options.

The Scarlet S Radio Frequency Microneedling Device

At the Dr. Jodie clinic, one of the key devices used to support skin tightening is the Scarlet S Radio Frequency Microneedling system.

This treatment can be applied to the face, neck, décolletage, and even selected areas of the body, with the aim of improving skin texture and firmness. It works by combining microneedling with radiofrequency energy, creating controlled micro-channels in the skin that stimulate the body’s natural processes of collagen and elastin production.

Recovery is usually brief, although it will vary from person to person. Many individuals experience mild redness for 1–2 days, which can often be covered with makeup, and sometimes a faint, grid-like pattern for up to 1–2 weeks, which is generally subtle. As with any medical-grade device, more significant complications, though rare, are possible. These risks will always be explained in detail during your consultation.

For best results, a course of treatments is generally recommended — often 3–4 sessions spaced around 6–8 weeks apart. Over time, this staged approach may also support secondary benefits, such as softening of fine lines, refining pores, and improving the appearance of acne scarring.

For more information on the Scarlet S Radio Frequency Microneedling device, click here.

Laser Genesis

Laser Genesis is a non-invasive laser treatment designed with minimal to no downtime. It uses micro-pulses of laser energy to gently heat the upper layers of the skin. This controlled heating stimulates your body’s natural renewal processes, including the production of new collagen and elastin. As these structural proteins develop, they can support firmer skin and improve texture.

Over time, Laser Genesis may help reduce the appearance of fine lines, open pores, and acne scarring. It also targets fine blood vessels and broken capillaries, which can contribute to facial redness and flushing. Because treatments are generally well tolerated and require little interruption to daily routines, Laser Genesis is sometimes referred to as a ‘lunchtime procedure’.

For more information on Laser Genesis, please click here.

Meso Microneedling

Meso Microneedling is a minimally invasive treatment that combines the benefits of traditional microneedling with the infusion of selected topical actives. Fine, controlled micro-channels are created in the skin using a microneedling device. These channels stimulate the skin’s natural healing response, encouraging the production of fresh collagen and elastin. At the same time, they allow active ingredients to be delivered more effectively into the skin, targeting concerns such as texture, hydration, firmness, and overall skin vitality.

Over a course of treatments, Meso Microneedling may help refine skin texture, reduce the appearance of fine lines, support hydration, firm the skin, and improve the look of dull or uneven tone. It can also be used to address superficial pigmentation and mild scarring. Because the procedure is typically well tolerated and involves only short recovery times, it can be incorporated into a broader treatment plan to complement other skin rejuvenation options.

For more information on Meso Microneedling, please click here.

Mono Threads

Mono threads are injectable threads that are designed to stimulate your body’s own collagen to improve skin texture, fine lines and wrinkles, acne or other scarring, skin tightness and sometimes even a sagging face. They tend to be most beneficial for those who are old enough to see signs of ageing, but young enough to still be able to produce collagen and elastin. Dr. Jodie believes the ideal candidate tends to range between their early 30s to late 50s. Arguably such treatments may still play a preventative role for younger clients, and even the most mature clients are still capable of some skin tightening and improvements in skin quality. Even so, they can cause significant bruising so timing your treatment with your social events is particularly important.

For more information on Mono threads, click here.

Skin Peels with LED therapy, Skin Care

Let’s not forget that skin peels with LED therapy and skin care also play a role in skin health and vitality. A comprehensive regime can ensure that your skin is more hydrated, smoother, firmer, with better elasticity. Good skin care always works in unison with ‘in clinic’ treatments such as skin peels with LED therapy to help maintain your results.

Other Medical Skin Quality Treatments

The Dr. Jodie clinic offers consultations on a range of other medical treatments that address skin quality. Please note that any treatment that includes the use of schedule 4 medications cannot legally be advertised online, as directed by our governing body the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), so it is not a feature of our discussion here.

Why Visit Dr. Jodie In Melbourne To Treat Your Saggy Skin?

With so many options available to you on the market to treat saggy skin, it can be quite confusing which to choose. Dr. Jodie, one of Melbourne’s leading cosmetic physicians, will help you formulate a skin tightening plan based on a thorough assessment of your skin health. Whatever your needs, Dr. Jodie will guide your decision-making process to ensure you find the right solution for your unique face, aesthetic goals, budget, and lifestyle. With more than 15 years of experience in cosmetic medicine and a decade working as a national clinical trainer for one of the largest pharmaceutical companies globally, Dr. Jodie has the knowledge and skillset required guide your skin rejuvenation journey. Moreover, she has mentored and trained her own Dr. Jodie clinicians to ensure that you receive the same high level of personalised care.