Tightening skin after rapid weight loss can become a significant challenge. This is especially the case when people have a lot of weight to lose, and they manage to do so quite quickly.
But it can also happen to bodybuilders who, for one reason or the other, end up reducing muscle mass and leaving excess skin tissue.
As a personal trainer, I’ve had a few clients who had to deal with this saggy skin, and I decided to team up with a skin specialist to find out what’s behind it and what you can do.
Here’s what I found.
Quick Summary
- To tighten your skin after weight loss, focus on eating healthy, drinking the recommended water intake, and taking care of your overall skin health.
- Resistance training can be effective for individuals who have shed a moderate amount of excess weight.
- As people age, especially after 30, the body produces less collagen, affecting skin elasticity.
- For me, adopting healthy eating habits, incorporating high-quality collagen supplements, and staying committed to regular workouts can enhance overall physical well-being.
4 Natural Ways for Tightening Sagging Skin
Achieving firmer skin following weight loss is possible by adopting a few essential strategies:
Prioritize Hydration
Skin, as a living organ, relies on sufficient water intake for plumpness and elasticity. According to National Institute of Health, aim for the recommended daily water intake to reduce loose skin, which is approximately 9 cups for women and 13 cups for men. Consistently meeting this goal can noticeably improve your skin's health [1].
Boost Your Protein Intake
Research from ScienceDirect suggests that collagen, a vital skin protein, plays a crucial role in skin health. While increasing meat consumption, especially fatty cuts, is an option, a more effective approach is to take a daily high-quality collagen supplement in powder or liquid form to promote tighter skin [2].
Create A Daily Skin Care Routine
Implement a daily moisturizing routine, ideally twice a day, using a cream rich in vitamin E, which is a key player in skin firmness and hydration levels, according to research from the National Institute of Health. Additionally, choose pH-neutral soaps and shampoos to minimize adverse effects on skin cells [3].
Increase Muscle Mass
Resistance training can be effective for individuals who have shed a moderate amount of excess weight. This form of strength training aids in building muscle mass, burning calories, and, beyond that, it enhances skin appearance by minimizing loose skin.
Medical Treatments For Tightening Loose Skin
There are several types of body contouring surgery available for people who have gone through massive weight loss. Consult your doctor and plastic surgeons for viable options.
Body contouring often begins with liposuction, removing excess fat but potentially leaving hanging skin.
Cosmetic surgeons may promptly plan to tighten the skin with options like ThermiTight, a recommended non-surgical procedure by Dr. Cameron Rokhsar, using radiofrequency for immediate results.
While a second surgery might be necessary later, it can be a highly effective and fast solution. More invasive procedures, like tummy tucks, involve removing excess skin and tightening muscles.
Dr. Olga Bachilo from Glamour Plastic Surgery emphasizes that these procedures require general anesthesia and have a longer recovery period, underscoring the importance of consulting certified plastic surgeons.
What Causes Skin To Sag?
Skin sags after significant weight gain due to diminished skin elasticity resulting from the breakdown of collagen and elastin fibers, according News Medical [4].
Additionally, the natural decline in collagen production over time further complicates achieving tighter skin after weight loss.
“Skin that is stretched beyond the normal level is known as hyperelastic skin. This occurs when there is a rapid increase in collagen, or the production of elastin becomes low, hence causing the skin to lose its capacity for elasticity.”
- Dr. Catherine Shaffer, Ph.D., news-medical.net
It's important to recognize that dealing with this concern should not diminish your weight loss accomplishments.
Can Loose Skin Become Tight Again?
Yes, loose skin can become tight again after weight loss.
However, in challenging cases, such as after bariatric surgery, excess skin may be substantial, necessitating plastic surgery for removal.
For individuals who have undergone a gradual and natural weight loss journey, addressing loose skin can be managed through natural approaches.
According to dermatologists, as reported by Forbes, the primary contributors to skin tightening are your overall skin health and elasticity [5].
How Long Does It Take For It To Tighten?
Younger skin shows quicker tightening responses due to its natural elasticity.
According to WebMD, the challenge of treating loose skin naturally intensifies due to the loss of skin elasticity as we age [6].
After bariatric surgery, significant weight loss and excess skin may not naturally return to normal over time.
In these cases, the sole option is skin removal surgery.
Based on my experience with patients, I consistently advise against opting for bariatric surgery.
Related articles:
Loose Skin Vs Residual Fat Cells
A common misconception is that after significant weight loss, there might still be a considerable amount of fat under the skin. It's crucial to distinguish between excess skin and residual fat.
In women, especially after pregnancy, the skin may expand, leaving stretch marks that complicate visual assessment.
If you feel the skin after weight loss and it's more than a few millimeters thick, it's likely to be stubborn fat reserves.
FAQs
Does Your Age Influence Whether You Can Tighten Loose Skin?
Yes, your age can influence whether you can tighten skin tissue. From the age of 30, your body produces less collagen. And even a high-collagen diet can only provide that much of an effect on skin elasticity.
Will More Exercise Help With Tightening Loose Skin After Weight Loss?
Yes, more exercise will help with tightening loose skin after weight loss. Building up more muscle tissue can help fill the excess skin, and over the months ahead, it will help to naturally tighten the skin.
References:
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4529263/
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/engineering/collagen-synthesis
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7827176/
- https://www.news-medical.net/health/What-Causes-Hyperelastic-Skin.aspx
- https://www.forbes.com/sites/nomanazish/2021/08/28/how-to-improve-skin-elasticity-according-to-dermatologists/
- https://www.webmd.com/beauty/cosmetic-procedures-aging-skin
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