The weight loss journey requires a lot of hard work and commitment, it is very frustrating to notice saggy and hanging skin while losing weight after taking so much effort.
Is there any method of ‘how to avoid loose skin after weight loss?‘ This question arises when you start your weight loss journey, and the answer is ‘yes,’ not completely though, but certain steps and procedures followed can make a difference.
Apart from cosmetic factors, maintaining a suitable weight offers numerous health benefits like a healthy heart, good metabolism, and glowing skin.
However, there are several factors as to whether you will have loose skin or not after weight loss.
The awareness of the following factors will help you to deal with How to avoid loose skin after weight loss.
1. Factors Causing Loose Skin Problem
1.1) Smoking
Smoking reduces or inhibits collagen production. Smoking does not directly cause loose skin but it contributes to sagging skin.
1.2) Stay away from Scorching Sun
Excessive sun exposure reduces collagen production which results in loose skin and eventually sagging skin. Slather sunscreen when outdoors. Make sure your sunscreen covers the broad spectrum protection covering UVA and UVB, the reason being UVA and UVB damage the existing collagen.
1.3) Length of Period of Obesity
The longer the period of obesity looser is the skin after losing weight. Skin stretch for a longer period during weight gain is difficult to retract.
1.4) Age
Your skin gets loose as you get older. Younger patients can retract loose skin easily after weight loss. Those looking for ‘How to avoid loose skin after weight loss, should primarily consider their age.
1.5) Overweight
Losing weight of 100 pounds or more makes the skin appear hanging.
2. Can Loose Skin fix on Its own?
If there is a question that ‘whether Loose skin fixes on its own or not? The answer is quite ‘no’ since our skin is an elastic organ—the elastin fibers stretch to acquire the body shape.
Our skin may not regain its shape back if stretched too much. The skin will not get to a smaller shape if you lose weight too quickly.
3. Tips for How to Avoid Loose Skin after Weight Loss
3.1) Avoid Excess Weight Loss
Moderate weight loss is the best way to avoid skin sag. Avoid extreme dieting tactics and go for a smaller and more nutritious meal. You should not lose more than two pounds per week.
3.2) Weight Loss by Building Muscle
According to Holly Wyatt, M.D., professor of medicine at the University of Colorado, building muscle will make your skin appear tighter.
The empty space that was filled by fat is empty to cause skin sagging, to avoid this fill this empty space with lean muscle mass, it is the best way to tighten loose skin.
Building muscle mass by incorporating muscle-building exercise is the most promising tip of ‘How to avoid loose skin after weight loss. Muscle-building exercise will also help you to lose weight as it burns calories after a workout.
When you slowly lose weight while doing muscle-building exercises, your metabolic rate heightens which eventually helps with weight loss.
3.3) Cardio and Weight Training
Cardio and weight training are necessary to attain goal weight and a toned body. Cardio helps to lose weight while weight training helps in building lean muscle.
Cardio is significant in burning calories while weight training is essential for building lean muscle mass. Important to note that doing cardio alone will help you to lose weight but it risks burning your lean muscle mass which will lead to saggy skin and will alter the metabolism.
It is crucial to keep up with both cardio and weight training exercises. Weight lifting and resistance training improve muscle tone to acquire a leaner figure.
4. Natural Remedies for How to Avoid Loose Skin after Weight Loss
4.1) Diet to Prevent Loose Skin
Avoid diet-related trends to lose weight faster, it is not only ineffective but also harmful to you. Consequently, the body will be devoid of essential nutrients and make you weak. Diet is the most important and neglected factor for ‘How to avoid loose skin after weight loss‘.
Remember collagen and elastin fibers are responsible to make skin elastic. Include a diet rich in certain nutrients like – Vitamin A, C, and E, Carotenoids, antioxidants, and lycopene helps to maintain skin elasticity and overall health. Let’s have a look at its sources-
- Vitamin C- Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, peppers, potatoes, berries, oranges, lemons.
- Vitamin E– Almonds, peanuts, vegetable oil, olive oil, wheat germ oil.
- Vitamin A- Spinach, sweet potatoes, red peppers, carrots, mango, papaya, and apricots.
4.2) Stay hydrated
This is my most recommended tip for, How to avoid loose skin after weight loss. Staying hydrated will not only help you to lose weight but will also help you to address the problem of how to reduce loose skin after weight loss. Increasing daily water intake will hydrate the skin, and staying hydrated will improve your skin’s quality.
4.3) Sunscreens and Moisturizers
It is also important to hydrate the body from the outside by applying good moisturizers, containing natural oils and
collagen. Moisturizing skin also helps in reducing stretch marks. So, always keep your skin moisturized.
4.4) Good Firming Creams will create a difference
Investing in good firming creams is a good idea. Firming cream will not make much difference but it will make your skin appear young and hydrated by boosting collagen production and elastin molecules.
4.5) Hydrolyzed Collagen
The collagen protein is broken down into more easily dissolvable amino acids. The dietary supplement comes in powdered form and is available at health stores or online.
5. Medical Procedures for How to Avoid Loose Skin after Weight Loss
5.1. Non-Surgical methods
Nonsurgical methods are less invasive and the results are less pronounced. It is less expensive, includes fewer risks, and has less recovery time.
Nonsurgical excision has been developed in recent years to tighten loose skin on the face and elsewhere using radiofrequency, infrared light, and lasers.
Some common side effects are slight pain during the procedure, mild swelling, redness, and irritation. Below mentioned are nonsurgical methods –
- Radiofrequency skin tightening
- Intense pulsed light for skin tightening
- Microneedling to tighten skin
- Injectable fillers for skin tightening
- Skin tightening facelift
- Chemical peels
5.2. Surgical methods
Many people experience loose skin after significant weight loss. Even though it is normal, it is uncomfortable and makes them appear older and hence, want to remove excess skin.
After a significant amount of weight loss, you experience saggy skin, excess skin is painful, and it is understandable to desire to look in a certain way.
According to PubMed Central and the National Center for Biotechnology Information, up to 70% undergo bariatric surgery and experience loose skin.
5.3. Techniques to Remove Extra Skin
The surgery to remove fat and excess skin from the body is called body contouring surgery. The surgeries involving cutting and removal of excess fat and skin in specific areas are as follows:
1) Brachioplasty (Arm lift)
To get rid of excess hanging skin from the upper arm.
2) Breast lift (Mastopexy)
To firm the breast by tightening and removal of excess skin and fat.
3) Facelift (rhytidectomy)
To make the face appear younger by removal of extra skin on the face and around the neck.
4) Lower body lift
To remove extra skin and fat from the stomach, butts, and outer thighs.
5) Panniculectomy
To remove the excess skin and fat ( called pannus ) below your belly button.
6) Thigh lift
To make inner thighs appear toner and slimmer
7) Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck)
To remove excess skin and fat from the abdomen and tighten weak and separated muscles.
Side effects-
All surgeries have risks, some potential risks are:
- Bleeding
- Bruising
- Blood clot (Deep blood thrombosis)
- Scarring
- Change in sensation or numbness due to nerve damage.
It is recommended to maintain a ‘steady weight after weight loss surgery’ – Skin responds best to these surgeries in a steady state.
It is important to choose a certified plastic surgeon and ensure you achieve desired results with the least side effects. It is advisable to go for weight loss surgery or plastic surgery only when natural remedies don’t work as it involves risks.
Final Note
Top tip for how to avoid loose skin after weight loss is to lose weight slowly to prevent loose skin. If you are bothered by loose skin, you can consult a skin expert for body contouring.
Natural remedies always work best for loose skin after losing weight moderately. Skincare routines like applying sunscreen and moisturizer keeps skin healthy.
Swear to antioxidants and collagen-enhancing food for skin elasticity. Cardio and weight loss help to reduce saggy skin most effectively. Keep bariatric surgery and plastic surgery as the last option after nothing works considering its risks.
It is important to keep skin healthy inside out and be comfortable with your own skin. Hope this blog ‘How to Avoid Loose Skin after Weight Loss’ is helpful to you.
Last Updated on by Sathi