Tom Cruise's 'sagging' skin at 61 'could be due to liposuction' claims expert

Tom Cruise's noticeably sagging skin might be the result of "liposuction", according to one expert.

The Hollywood icon was recently photographed shirtless on a Spanish beach, sparking comments about his physique.

Despite being toned, the 61-year-old actor had areas where his skin seemed less firm than expected.

These images led to comparisons with fellow actors Brad Pitt and Benjamin Bratt, both 60.

Now, an expert plastic surgeon has offered his opinion on what could be causing these saggy areas on Tom's body.

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Speaking to DailyMail.com, Dr David Hill, a Chicago-based plastic surgeon, suggested that previous cosmetic procedures, specifically liposuction, could be responsible.

Liposuction is a surgical procedure that removes fat from certain parts of the body where it tends to accumulate and is difficult to eliminate, such as the stomach, hips, thighs, and buttocks.

Dr Hill elaborated: "Usually, if you lose weight naturally over time, you get less of that skin rippling and irregularity, because it's gradual.

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"With liposuction, because it's more immediate, the skin doesn't have time to contract as much... so Tom's Cruise's saggy skin could be a hallmark of [liposuction]."

Dr Hill, however, also pointed out that if Tom has undergone liposuction, it was performed exceptionally well as he doesn't "see any hallmarks of irregular contour on his body that would suggest bad liposuction, but there is enhanced muscle definition, which is reflective of his earlier photos when he was younger. If they did it, they did it well."

In contrast, another expert, Dr Howard Sobel, a cosmetic dermatologic surgeon at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York, informed the publication that it's impossible to confirm whether Tom has had surgery and that the skin sagging observed in the images could simply be a result of natural ageing.

He further commented that "in any 61-year-old guy you would expect to have some skin sagging, because as we get older, we lose that elasticity in our skin."

The expert highlighted that the areas where Tom appears to have lost tone are typical in men, stating that the "areas of your chest, and the areas below your chest, the skin around your ribs and your abs are very often the first to lose the elasticity, especially in a man."

Tom previously shared with Men's Health about his diverse physical activities to keep fit. He mentioned: "Sea-kayaking, caving... fencing, treadmill, weights... rock climbing, hiking... I jog... I do so many different activities."

The celebrity adheres to a five-day fitness regime, which includes three days of weight training and cardio each week, supplemented by two additional days of more adventurous activities such as hiking or fencing.

His workout routine comprises a variety of exercises including one-armed barbell presses, weighted lunges, and deadlifts.