Losing weight is a huge achievement that can improve your health, mood, self-esteem, and life quality in general. However, major changes rarely come without consequences. Loose skin is a common side effect of weight loss that can even discourage people and make them put off their plans of losing weight.
Here we will give you some pieces of advice to help you prevent and/or tighten loose skin after weight loss without the need of surgery. Be aware that the most effective way to fight loose skin is being conscious and taking care of it from the beginning of the weight loss plan.
FACTORS THAT FAVOR LOOSE SKIN AFTER WEIGHT LOSS
Not everybody suffers from loose skin after weight loss, several factors influence it, such as:
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How much weight you lose
Obviously, major weight loss involves challenging structural changes for your skin, so the more weight you aim to lose, the more attention you should pay to your skin.
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How fast you lose weight
Your skin needs to contract gradually and slowly adapt itself to your new body shape. Abrupt weight loss can easily result into loose skin.
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The method you use to lose weight
People who follow weight loss plans that involve time and sport are less prone to have loose or saggy skin problems afterward. First, because the skin has more time to adapt; and secondly, because sport is also good for your blood flow and microcirculation, so being active not only tones up your muscles but also your skin.
On the other hand, although losing weight with surgery is definitely easier and much faster, the outcome may include some loose skin. In most cases, your doctor will recommend you a second surgery for removing the remaining loose skin or encourage you to prepare a plan beforehand on how to tighten your skin after the surgery.
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Genetics or skin type
Skin elasticity plays a crucial role in the development of loose skin. Not all skins have the same capacity of producing collagen and elastin, which are the most important proteins for skin elasticity. The more elastic the skin is, the more easily it can adapt to a new shape.
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Age
As you get older, your skin produces less collagen and other essential proteins that enhance elasticity and firmness.
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Oxidative stress
As we told you in our last entry: What Is Oxidative Stress and How to Fight It, free radicals degrade your skin proteins, which makes your skin less elastic, among many other consequences. Excessive sun exposure and cigarettes are the most common triggering factors for Oxidative Stress, so be especially careful with sun and reduce tobacco consumption if you are losing an important amount of weight.
HOW TO TIGHTEN LOOSE SKIN AFTER WEIGHT LOSS
After losing weight, you may be looking forward to wearing that tiny bikini that did not fit before and enjoy your new appearance. So do not let that saggy skin put you down; it is the last effort and is nothing compared to the work you have already done.
Here we give you some ideas that will help you tighten and firm your skin. Go for it!
At home:
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Stay hydrated
It is as obvious as it seems. Drinking water hydrates your body and skin, well-hydrated skin means more elastic skin.
Besides physiological hydration, using moisturizing oils and creams from the start of your diet helps to prevent loose skin and stretch marks.
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Eat vitamin C
Vitamin C has an endless number of benefits for your skin. It has potent antioxidant properties, boosts collagen synthesis, and helps to regenerate the tissues (which also helps to prevent stretch marks).
You find a high concentration of vitamin C in most fruits and veggies: oranges, papaya, berries, broccoli, tomatoes, kale, etc.
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Do some sports
As mentioned above, sports improve circulation and promote firmness. Also, building up some muscles under loose skin will tighten it again.
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Protect your skin from UV rays
It does not mean that you need to hide from the sun. You can go to the beach but not in excess. Avoid the hours when UVR is stronger and always use a broad-spectrum sunscreen, especially in summer.
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Massage your skin
Massaging oils and creams on your skin improve microcirculation, which means more nutrients for your skin cells and better synthesis of skin proteins.
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Firming creams
Apply a good firming cream twice a day and massage it to promote its absorption. Firming body lotions are made to help you tighten your skin and can be very effective if you are constant.
A good tip is to start using it at the beginning of your weight loss plan. If you are consistent from the beginning, there is a good chance that your skin will adapt on time, and you do not even develop loose skin.
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Collagen supplements
The intake of collagen supplements can also help you prevent or tighten loose skin. Ask your doctor or pharmacists for advice.
Aesthetic procedures
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Microneedling or Mesotherapy
If you need a more intense approach, ask your aesthetic doctor or dermatologist to apply a firming solution using derma-rolling or mesotherapy techniques. They are fast and effective, minimally invasive, and painless. Follow your doctor’s advice on which microneedling or mesotherapy technique is better for you and how many sessions you may need according to your skin condition.
