You have just lost a significant amount of weight. Congratulations! But now you have a new problem. The loosened skin. What can you do about that?

Loosened skin after weight loss can put a damper on your fitness goals. But there are ways to deal with it. This article will review the best solutions.

Why Does Your Skin Become Loose After Weight Loss?

When you gain weight, your skin expands to allot for the increased growth. During pregnancy, skin expands, but it will typically snap back after the nine-month gestation period. But if you’ve been overweight for a significant amount of time, collagen and elastin fibers will become damaged and the skin will not be able to retract.

As a result, the skin will hang loose from the body. Generally, the greater the weight gain and the longer the person has been obese, the more loose skin they will have.

What To Do About Loose Skin

There are a few remedies that will help the skin tighten up. They include:

Resistance Training

Resistance training, or weight training, will help to increase muscle mass that can improve the appearance of loose skin.

Collagen Supplements

Taking a collagen hydrolysate supplement may make up for the damage caused by obesity. Studies have shown that taking a collagen supplement for 12 weeks can increase skin elasticity, texture, and hydration. It is especially effective when taken alongside vitamin C and E, zinc, and biotin.

Protein

Certain types of protein, such as the amino acids lysine, and proline play, can aid with collagen production.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C plays a key role in collagen synthesis.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids

The omega-3s found in fatty fish can increase skin’s elasticity.

Water

Staying hydrated can have a positive effect on skin’s appearance.

Firming Creams

Firming creams that contain collagen and elastin may be somewhat beneficial in tightening skin, but it’s best that the processes occur from the inside out.

Body Contouring

Body contouring involves making an incision to remove excess fat and skin. Typically, multiple surgeries are performed to complete the process. The procedure can be done on several parts of the body as follows:

• Abdominoplasty: Also called a tummy tuck, abdominoplasty removes excess skin from the abdomen.
• Lower Body Lift: This is performed to remove skin from the belly, hips, buttocks, and thighs.
• Upper Body Lift: This procedure addresses the breasts and back area.
• Medial Thigh Lift: This is used to remove skin from the inner and outer thighs.
• Brachioplasty: Also called an arm lift, this involves removing the skin from the upper arm.

Radiofrequency Treatment

This alternative treatment uses infrared light, radiofrequency, and massage to reduce loose skin.

Ultrasound

An ultrasound will not remove loose skin, but it may reduce pain and discomfort associated with loose skin.

The loose skin associated with weight loss can be the one downside of reaching your fitness goals. The methods in this article can help remove it so you look and feel your best. We wish you luck in attaining the body you’ve always dreamed of.