I turned 30 last year, and don’t get me wrong: I’m pumped to be part of the club. At the same time, I’ve started to notice some subtle changes in my skin — like slight laxity on my neck and along my jawline — that I’m not so pumped about. It’s inevitable, though, considering the fact that by age 30, your body starts slowing down its collagen production. This matters because collagen is one of the primary proteins that provides structure and elasticity to the skin. So when it declines, our skin starts to look less firm, bouncy and youthful. Fun, right?
Now for some good news: In addition to non-invasive procedures, there’s a slew of different high-tech tools and devices on the market for sagging skin that can help to subtly tighten and restore firmness. Here, board-certified dermatologists share their top recommendations, along with more insight on how and why sagging skin occurs as we age. Let’s dive into it.
Best beauty tools for sagging skin
“The Solawave wand is simple to use and combines the benefits of four technologies into one,” says Dr. Dendy Engelman, a board-certified dermatologist and surgeon based in New York City.
“It has red light therapy, which triggers the body’s healing processes; galvanic microcurrent that firms and tones; low-vibration massage for de-puffing and brightening; and therapeutic warmth that improves absorption of topical skincare products.” It’s small, compact, super easy to use and excellent overall for healthier, younger-looking skin.
LED light therapy masks like the fan-favorite?Omnilux Face Mask work by using specific wavelengths of light to help stimulate collagen production. This one is FDA-cleared and a favorite of Dr. Pooja Rambhia, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City. “It’s my go-to because it’s flexible and able to easily fit to the contours of your face,” she says. “It works best when used consistently three to five times a week over the course of several months, so comfort is key.”
Most of us have heard of NuFace by now, and that’s because it’s a powerful microcurrent device that delivers real, visible results people can see. “The NuFace is an FDA-cleared at-home device that can help to firm and tone the face,” says Rambhia. “However, it needs to be used consistently to see results.”
“Using a jade roller won’t yield the same results as the [high-tech] tools, but it can help bring down puffiness and boost blood circulation for slightly firmer skin,” explains Engelman. She recommends storing your jade roller in the fridge for enhanced depuffing effects.?
This FDA-cleared light therapy mask that Underscored beauty editor Sophie Shaw loves is clinically proven to reduce volume of wrinkles by 24% in just four weeks — plus it helps to brighten and balance the skin, as well as reduce redness. It features a patented pillow technology and flexible silicone shape so it easily and comfortably fits to your face. When used consistently (for just 10 minutes a day!), it works to stimulate collagen production and improves the look of skin laxity over time.?
Recommended by Dr. Shereene Idriss, a board-certified dermatologist and content creator based in New York City, this hands-free mask uses EMS technology to help firm and lift lax skin. It targets the cheeks and lower face muscles, so it’s especially great at toning up the jawline area. It’s also completely painless and feels like a massage for your face.?
This clever product comes with a built-in roll-on applicator that feels smooth and cool on the neck as it delivers its elasticity-boosting formula. Made with peptides, which are the amino acids that make up collagen and elastin, it helps decrease the appearance of the horizontal lines on the neck while also firming the skin.
Shaw finds facial cupping, which involves using gentle suction to perform lymphatic drainage, to be a gentler alternative to gua sha, which uses a stone tool to scrape across the skin. Both practices are rooted in traditional Chinese medicine and promote circulation, de-puffing and microcirculation. With these small silicone tools and a face oil to help them glide across the skin, you can move them in lifting patterns to encourage a more contoured appearance.
“The Lyma Laser is an at-home cold laser device that delivers amazing clinically-backed results in firming, smoothing, reducing fine lines and wrinkles and evening out skin tone,” says Engelman. “It’s very powerful, but is totally painless, requires no downtime and can be used on all skin types and tones.”
The device is celebrity- and editor-loved, but the investment is only worth it if you are consistent with treatments. Luckily, Shaw notes, it's super easy to use and you can glide it over your face while watching TV.
This unique skin device combines the benefits of EMS, radio frequency and LED to help reduce sagging skin and other signs of aging. “The idea of creating an at-home version of my office energy-based devices was my inspiration,” says creator Dr. Ava Shamban, a board-certified dermatologist based in Beverly Hills, CA. “It delivers a beautiful glow, subtle lift, and smoother texture for a more radiant, healthy, and youthful appearance.”
Another recommendation from Idriss, the Ziip uses microcurrent technology to help firm and sculpt the face. "It’s a low-level electric current that stimulates your cells to produce adenosine triphosphate (ATP) that keeps them alive and your skin rejuvenated," she says. You only need to use this one for four minutes; however, you should use it three to five times a week for best results.
We love a more affordable option, don’t we? “This mask utilizes cryotherapy and acupressure technology to lift, tighten and de-puff the skin,” says Engelman. “It’s designed to be used in 10-minute sessions, so it’s a great option for those who don’t want to spend a lot of time on lengthy treatments.”
“EMS or electrical muscle stimulation is utilized in devices such as this one; it works by sending electrical impulses to the skin, causing the deeper muscles to contract and leave your face more defined and sculpted,” explains Idriss of the viral, Hailey Bieber-beloved device. Additionally, it features LED therapy to help boost results.
This depuffing tool from Idriss’s own namesake skin care line can help to temporarily restore firmness while supporting overall skin health. It’s an easy-to-use, roll-on serum made with a hero trio of arnica, centella asiatica and niacinamide to help ease redness and puffiness. It works both instantly and over time to improve the look and feel of your skin — plus it feels sublime.?
Shaw likes this microcurrent device with patented technology that uses four probes to help contour the face. The way the bottom probes are hinged means that you'll apply proper tension to lift and sculpt during the "Lift" microcurrent treatment. It also has a "Skin" setting to help boost the absorption of your skin care.
This luxe vibrating tool increases blood flow and lymphatic drainage to help depuff and sculpt the face — however, it’s worth noting that results are pretty temporary, so it’s best used before a big event.?
