If $\mathscr{X}$ is a proper $snc$-model of $X$ over $\mathscr{C}$, then there exists a continuous map

$$H:[0,1]\times X_{K}^{\mathrm{an}}\to X_{K}^{\mathrm{an}}$$

such that $H(0,\cdot)$ is the identity, $H(t,x)=x$ for all $x$ in $\mathrm{Sk}(\mathscr{X})$ and all $t$ in $[0,1]$, and $H(1,\cdot)=\rho_{\mathscr{X}}$. Thus $\mathrm{Sk}(\mathscr{X})$ is a strong deformation retract of $X_{K}^{\mathrm{an}}$.