Table of Contents
Introduction
Are you worried about loose skin after weight loss? When losing a tremendous amount of weight in a short period, chances are highly likely that the skin will end up open and hanging. For many, this can be a bit of a challenge, especially after the positive of losing so much weight; however, there is help to tighten that loose skin. To avoid the more drastic and costly measure of getting surgery to rid yourself of the excess and loose skin, there are several helpful and health-conscious tips to lose that excess skin and tighten it up.
Maintaining or increasing muscle tissue is the key to minimizing loose skin. Remember, the phenomenon occurs when the underlying layers of tissue shrink under a much large surface area. If a muscle mass is lost in addition to fat, it creates an even more immense void under your skin’s surface. On the other hand, increasing lean tissue fills the area underneath the skin, keeping it taut.
There are a few ways that you can go about retaining or even increasing your muscle tissue during a diet.
But first let’s know about the causes of loose skin after weight loss.
Why do we have loose skin after weight loss?
Firstly, let’s take a look at the anatomy of your skin and the surrounding area. Two layers of tissue reside underneath your skin: adipose tissue (or fat) followed by muscle tissue directly beneath. Both fat and muscle push up against the adjacent layer of skin, keeping it relatively taut before you lose weight.
The issue of loose skin starts when a person gains weight. When this happens, your skin’s surface area increases to accommodate the new fat tissue (which is why stretch marks sometimes occur).
While your fat cells shrink when you lose that weight, you still retain the same surface area. This space under the larger surface area creates a layer of skin that may “hang” because there is less tissue underneath taking up space. This is what’s known as loose or “sagging” skin.
The amount of loose skin that remains varies by individual. Not everyone’s skin sags afterward, and it depends on several factors, including the total weight gained and lost, age, total muscle mass, and genetics.
Factors that lead to loose skin after weight loss
Sagging skin after weight loss is quite common and is nothing to be ashamed of. The skin is the largest organ of the body and needs as much love and care as the rest of the body. The skin is exceptionally elasticated so that it can stretch with our bodies as we grow. Therefore, it makes sense that immediately after significant weight loss, there is likely to be some sagging of the skin. The most common places for loose skin after weight loss are on the underside of the arms, on the tummy, and underneath the chin. While this loose skin may be upsetting, it is essential to remember that your skin can change its shape and tighten up. It just takes time.
Many factors may also contribute to how well your skin can bounce back after weight loss. These might include a history of smoking, age, the amount of weight you lost, and how quickly, and genetics. This isn’t to say that you won’t be able to firm up your skin, just that it may take a little bit longer. There are many things you can do that are natural to help tighten sagging skin and maintain the overall health of your skin.
How to tighten up loose skin after weight loss naturally?
- SLOW DOWN YOUR WEIGHT LOSS.
The speed with which weight is lost is a huge factor in how your skin adapts to your new, smaller size. By slowing the rate at which you lose weight, your skin more easily adjusts its elasticity levels to match the muscle tone of your slimmer figure.
2. BUILD MORE LEAN MUSCLE THROUGH STRENGTH TRAINING.
Similar to slowing down weight loss, building more lean muscle helps to support the elasticity development of your skin along with your changing body. By reducing the amount of cardio and increasing strength training, you build lean muscle. Instead of bulking your frame, the right balance will help you tone your skin and overall figure.
3. QUIT SMOKING.
Smoking not only is bad for overall health, but it accelerates the aging of your skin. It does this by reducing vitamin A and moisture in your skin. Smoking also breaks down the elasticity of the skin and is detrimental to the texture and brightness of your skin. However, quitting smoking can rejuvenate the skin. According to a study from the International Association of Ecologic Dermatology, smokers of over nine years may see a significant age reduction in their skin within nine months of quitting.
4. MAINTAIN A HEALTHY DIET.
Along with quitting smoking and changing up your workouts, maintaining a healthy diet is crucial. Our bodies crave certain nutrients to keep our entire body healthy, but certain foods are especially helpful to our skin. Foods high in vitamins A, C, and E have been shown to improve skin elasticity and tightness. Vitamin C is particularly beneficial in firming up the skin. The body uses vitamin C to help create collagen, which plumps the skin and gives it that firm appearance. Foods that are high in all of these vitamins include citrus fruits and dark leafy greens. Also, increasing your daily intake of lean protein will significantly help support the production of collagen. Importantly, it will help restore the elasticated protein fibers of the skin.
5. STAY HYDRATED.
Our bodies are made up of around 75% water. For this reason, it is incredibly vital that we stay hydrated, both inside and outside. It is essential that we drink approximately three liters of water every day. This will keep our bodies fully hydrated. Also, using an intensive daily moisturizer that includes vitamin E or collagen will maintain skin hydration. It will encourage the firming of your skin due to the moisture your skin requires to repair and strengthen itself.
6. CONSIDER TAKING SUPPLEMENTS.
As mentioned before, increasing collagen production in the body helps to tighten and firm skin through improved elasticity. Increasing the daily intake of gelatin, borage oil, and collagen have been shown in numerous studies to help improve the elasticity and firmness of the skin.
Home Remedies to treat loose skin after weight loss
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Aloe Vera gel
Aloe Vera gel is one of the best home remedies for skin tightening. It contains malic acid, which improves skin elasticity.
Method: Extract aloe vera gel from the leaf and apply it to your affected area. Leave it on your skin for about 20 minutes and then rinse using lukewarm water. Do this three to four times a week. You can also mix aloe vera gel with honey and mayonnaise. Apply this mixture to the area. After about 20 minutes, wash it off with cold water.
2. Egg white and honey
Rich in albumin protein, egg white is an excellent remedy for sagging skin. It improves the skin texture by rebuilding the cells of the skin and makes your skin healthy.
Method: Mix the egg white and the honey well. Apply this mixture to your concerned area. Leave it for about 20 minutes and then wash it off with cold water. Do this thrice a month.
3. Oil massage
Oil massage is will not only tighten your skin but will also make it smoother and more apparent. You can use olive oil for massaging as it contains vitamin E and A. It also has anti-aging benefits.
You will need Two tablespoons of olive oil.
Method: Take the olive oil in a small container and warm it up. Use the warm oil to massage the area. Massage for about 10 minutes. Take a clean cloth, dip it in lukewarm water and use it to wipe your face. You can also use coconut oil, almond oil or jojoba oil for massaging.
4. Ground coffee and coconut oil
Coffee contains caffeine, which makes your skin soft and firm by eliminating fat and moisturizing the skin. The ground coffee will gently exfoliate your skin and the antioxidants in it will delay the aging process.
You will need: 1/4 cup of ground coffee, two tablespoons of coconut oil, 1/4 cup of brown sugar and ½ teaspoon of cinnamon.
Method: Mix the coffee, coconut oil, cinnamon and brown sugar. Use this mixture to gently scrub your effected area. Scrub for about 5 minutes and then use lukewarm water to rinse it off. Do this once a week.
5. Rosemary oil and cucumber
Rosemary oil helps in toning your skin and improves blood circulation. Rich in antioxidants, rosemary oil delays the skin aging and improves its elasticity.
You will need: One tablespoon of rosemary oil and half a cucumber.
Method: Take the cucumber and peel it. Now, grind it to smooth paste. Add in the rosemary oil and apply it on the area where you have loose skin. Leave it for about 20 minutes and then use lukewarm water to rinse it off. Do this once a week.
How to prevent skin from further loosening?
1. Lose weight gradually.
Losing weight quickly, by means of fad diets and cleanses, will compromise the contours of your face, affect the health of your skin, and impact your overall success in keeping the weight off. Hence losing weight in a meticulous manner is important. Don’t indulge in crash diets and workouts.
2. Protect your skin from excessive UV rays
If you exercise outdoors, take steps to reduce your exposure to the sun’s collagen-destroying UV rays. Plan your walk or run for the early morning or late in the day, when the sun is less scorching. Apply sunscreen, and make sure the label says “broad-spectrum”—that means it protects against UVA and UVB rays, which both damage your dermis. And consider protective clothing.
3. Eat right
Eating right is very important. Binge on lots of greens and fruits. Increase your protein intake and cut down on carbs. The most important aspect of maintaining tight skin is the consumption of the right food. Avoid junk and processed food. These will further add to your fat deposition. Snack on fruits whenever possible. Replace colas and chips with Fruits, nuts, and natural drinks.
4. Use Serums and Retinoids.
Though there’s no such thing as a magical skin-tightening potion, topical products can stoke collagen growth and improve your appearance if you use them daily and consistently, Chipps says. Your dermatologist can prescribe retinoid-containing creams or gels, such as Retin-A or Tretin-X. Or look for over-the-counter serums containing epidermal growth factor, which stimulates fibroblasts deep in the skin to ramp up collagen production.
5. Always keep yourself hydrated
Dehydration can strike skin cells, too, leaving them shriveled and inflexible. Drinking good amount of water keeps your body moisturised and healthy from within.
Conclusion
Hence, loose skin can be tackled in a proper way. Considering, these factors can help tighten loose skin.
For more such healthy tips, Stay tuned to this space.
