Is losing weight and becoming healthier one of your life goals? Since the obesity rate in America is increasing at alarming rates, you may be one of the millions of people who share the same goal of losing weight. With any amount of weight loss comes loose skin, so it’s important to know how to effectively tighten skin after weight loss.
It’s no surprise that dieting is a multi-billion-dollar industry in our country. No matter where you look, “experts” and fitness companies alike are urging consumers to try their pills, supplements, or programs with promises to lose weight quickly. Unfortunately, the only thing you lose in most of these diets is your money.
Doctors and bariatric specialists usually recommend losing weight gradually with a sensible meal plan and exercise. These experts also found that it is easier to shed pounds when you are younger, and men tend to lose faster than women. Before you implement any diet or exercise plan, consult your healthcare provider for a plan that is best for you.
The Woes of Sagging Skin
If you have worked hard and achieved your target weight, you have a right to celebrate. Your health has probably improved, and you love your new, slender body. When you remove your attractive, smaller clothing and look in a full-length mirror, does the saggy skin dampen your spirit?
Did you know that the skin is the most significant organ in your body? Shockingly, it’s responsible for many functions. It must provide a protective covering for your muscles, organs, and bones. Its natural elasticity allows you to grow and move comfortably. Areas such as your hands and face have the most delicate skin, which is why they are first to show signs of aging.
When you were younger, your collagen-rich skin is elastic and supple, so you probably didn’t have as many issues with loose skin after weight loss. As you age, collagen production decreases along with your skin’s elasticity. After years of being stretched from excess poundage, your skin may sag when you lose weight.
Have you watched the popular reality shows that showcase former bariatric patients who are now plagued with loose skin all over their bodies? Tired of hiding under compression garments and baggy clothing, they result in cosmetic surgery to remedy their excess skin. They often require multiple operations that are quite painful and expensive.
The good news is that you don’t need to go under the knife to firm your skin after weight loss. While nothing short of cosmetic surgery can remove sagging skin, alternative methods can improve it significantly. If you want a toner shape, consider these eleven ways to tighten your skin after weight loss. For those considering surgical options, consulting with Dr. Fouad Samaha, board certified plastic surgeon, can provide valuable insights and personalized recommendations.
1. You Are What You Eat
During your weight loss journey, you have probably learned much about diet and nutrition. Like a car, your body requires the right fuel to run efficiently for a lifetime. When you consumed the junk food that made you overweight, your whole system paid the price, including your skin.
One of the best ways for you to tighten loose skin after weight loss is to continue a proper diet regimen. Enjoy a variety of whole foods that are high in protein and heart-healthy fats and low in carbs and empty calories. Dark fruits and green leafy veggies provide antioxidants that help build and repair your skin cells.
2. Quit Smoking
If you haven’t already done so, if you quit smoking now, it can improve and extend your life. The same determination you used to lose weight will serve you well to kick the smoking habit. Even if you’ve smoked heavily for years, your body immediately responds positively when you quit.
Whoever said that smoke follows beauty must have never seen a smoker’s complexion. Of the many hazardous chemicals released from burning tobacco, many of them cause cancer. If that isn’t enough motivation to quit, think of how smoking destroys your skin’s appearance and elasticity.
Talk to your physician about a smoking cessation plan that’s right for you. Soon, you may notice a difference in saggy skin areas remaining from losing weight. Take the money you save from not buying cigarettes and invest in a new wardrobe.
3. Be Sun Smart
Being cautious of overexposure to the sun doesn’t require you to live like a vampire. Our bodies need a certain amount of sunlight to manufacture vital Vitamin D. As with everything in life, it’s possible to get too much of a good thing.
To help your skin recover and tighten some after shedding pounds, it’s even more crucial to avoid skin-damaging UV rays from the sun. Exposing yourself to this solar radiation can cause premature wrinkling and loss of skin elasticity. Wear sunscreen, light clothing, and hats to protect yourself from sun damage.
4. Keep It Moving
In discovering the law of inertia, Sir Isaac Newton proved that a body in motion tended to stay in motion unless acted upon by another force. You probably developed a daily exercise regimen to get to your weight goal. To firm up sagging skin, keep your body active.
Even the most devoted and strenuous exercise can’t erase loose skin. However, you can improve elasticity, some with daily workouts. Yoga is an ideal way to tone your body through gentle stretching and relaxation techniques.
5. Pamper Your Face
You may hide loose skin on your body under compression garments and flowing clothes, but you can do little for it on your face. If there are any perceived benefits of toting extra pounds, one is that it makes fine lines and wrinkles less noticeable.
When you lose weight in your face, you will often battle a wobbly chin and droopy bags around your eyes. To help tone and tighten your complexion, use natural ingredients like oatmeal or egg whites for beauty masks and toner. It can improve your face and lighten the wrinkles.
Dermatologists also recommend that you massage your skin daily to increase blood flow. Use a soft exfoliating brush for your face and a larger one for beneficial dry brushing. When you are good to your skin, it will glow with vitality and confidence.
6. Keep Hydrated
Did you know that not all drinks are created equal? Even your favorite diet sodas are loaded with caffeine and other ingredients that can dehydrate you. Too much alcohol is another robber of moisture for your internal body and skin.
Be kind to your skin and enjoy six to eight glasses of water each day. If you need a little flavor, add lemon or lime slices. Properly hydrated skin is less likely to be so droopy. Keep diet sodas, alcohol, and caffeinated beverages to a minimum.
Here’s how drinking lemon water helps improve your health.
7. Be Generous with Natural Oils
When you are trying to tighten loose skin after weight loss, you may notice your complexion is dryer than usual. In addition to drinking plenty of water, be sure to nourish your skin with natural emollients. They nourish skin cells and give your face a healthy radiance.
Forgo the expensive beauty products in the department store and treat yourself to a massage of pure olive or coconut oil. Vitamin E is also an excellent oil for moisturizing and toning your skin. These may improve the tautness of loose skin.
8. Try Firming Creams
Beauty science has come a long way in creating lotions and creams that can help tighten loose skin after weight loss. You can find them in most health and beauty aisles from brands that fit just about any budget. Be sure to check for natural ingredients.
Firming creams are especially useful on troublesome spots like your thighs, upper arms, and behind. Some brands are formulated to lift and tone drooping skin on your face. It often takes a while of dedicated use to see results.
9. Continue Your Weight Loss
Losing the last few pounds to reach your weight loss goal is often frustrating. Even though you lose pounds and inches, some fat may be lingering and causing your skin to droop. By shedding those extra pounds, you may tighten loose skin after weight loss.
10. Use Supplements
Talk to your healthcare provider about dietary supplements that can help you tighten loose skin after weight loss. Some of these include collagen, gelatin, Vitamins C &E, or protein. They nourish skin cells and can improve its elasticity.
11. Cosmetic Procedures
Not all cosmetic procedures include radical surgeries and facelifts. Do you want to tighten loose skin after weight loss? Talk to a licensed and experienced plastic surgeon about your options. These may include numerous minimally invasive procedures such as micro-dermal abrasions, laser resurfacing, and chemical peels.
You also might have considered Botox injections for tiny lines and wrinkles around your face, forehead, and neck. Just make sure to get botox injections from a licensed professional.
Use these 3 ingredients to make a “natural Botox” for your skin.
Final Thoughts on Your Efforts to Tighten Loose Skin
There are no magic wands that instantly tighten loose skin after weight loss. It can be frustrating, even when you’ve reached your goal weight. Talk to your doctor and a licensed fitness instructor about these and other ways to firm your skin and feel better about your new body.
