Improving the Appearance of Aging Arms

The aging process can take a significant toll on the appearance of the upper arms. Even men and women that follow a healthy diet and exercise routine may notice their arms start to look flabby and saggy in their fifth or sixth decades of life. These cosmetic issues can deter someone from feeling confident enough to wear sleeveless shirts, or comfortable in shirts with tighter sleeves.

San Diego plastic surgeon Abhay Gupta treats problems in the upper arms in various ways, depending on the nature of the problem.

The Comprehensive Solution to Aging Arms

Arm lift is the most comprehensive solution for age-related cosmetic issues in the arms. It is a great option for men and women with excess hanging skin and pockets of fat in the upper arm area. During the procedure, Dr. Gupta reshapes the contours of the upper arms to give them a more toned appearance.

Through an incision placed on the back or inside of the arm, Dr. Gupta removes fat tissue and excess skin to eliminate flabbiness. Then, he tightens and lifts the arm tissue and remaining arm skin. The result is a leaner and more elegant looking arm contour.

One of the trade-offs of arm lift is that it leaves a slight scar. Dr. Gupta carefully plans out the incision for discreet scarring, and scars fade over time, but they may never completely disappear. Fortunately, most patients feel a minor scar is well worth an improved arm contour.

Is Liposuction an Option?

Liposuction is a good option to sculpt arms with excess fat but good skin tone — so it may not be appropriate for everyone. Liposuction targets and eliminates fat pockets for a leaner arm contour. In individuals with elastic, firm skin, the skin contracts after liposuction to hug the smaller arm underneath. However, since most adults in their 50s and 60s have excess fat and loose skin, simply removing the fat while ignoring the loose skin may actually accentuate the laxity.

What about SmartLipo?

SmartLipo, a minimally invasive, laser-assisted fat removal system, is also commonly used to contour the arms. Like traditional liposuction, it is most appropriate for cases where the primary problem is excess fat (and not loose skin). But unlike liposuction, SmartLipo does have a slight skin-tightening effect on mildly loose skin. The laser energy not only breaks up unwanted fat but also stimulates the body’s natural production of collagen for tighter, firmer looking skin. Keep in mind that individuals with significant skin laxity are usually better suited for arm lift.

The best way to determine the treatment option that is right for you is to consult with board-certified plastic surgeon Abhay Gupta. To book an appointment with Dr. Gupta, please contact Gupta Plastic surgery today.

Fun Fact of the Month: January is named after Janus, a Roman god with two faces. When depicted in ancient Roman art, one of Janus’ faces looks forward and the other looks back.