If there’s one downside of weight loss, it’s loose skin. When you gain weight, your skin expands. When you lose weight, your skin may lose its ability to retract. It will become loose and hang off your body.
There are many downsides to loose skin. It may cause physical discomfort making it difficult for you to engage in physical activity. It can result in irritations and conditions like ulcers and infections. It may also negatively affect your mood and body image.
Fortunately, there are things you can do to minimize loose skin. This article will review your options.
Resistance Training
Resistance training can help you increase muscle mass. Increased muscle mass may decrease loose skin. However, there is little research to back this up.
Collagen
Collagen increases skin elasticity. It is known to improve the appearance of loose skin due to aging. However, studies have not been conducted to test its efficacy on people who are dealing with weight loss issues.
Eat the Right Diet
A healthy diet that targets loose skin will include nutrients that promote skin health such as:
- Protein: Protein contains the amino acids lysine and proline which play a key role in collagen production.
- Vitamin C: Vitamin C is essential for collagen synthesis. It also has antioxidant properties that protect the skin.
- Omega-3 fatty acids: Omega-3 fatty acids are said to increase skin elasticity and may reverse signs of aging.
- Water: Staying hydrated can improve the skin’s appearance. Studies show that women who drink lots of water saw improvements in their skin’s hydration and function.
Firming Cream
A firming cream that contains collagen will increase the skin’s elasticity on a temporary basis. However, collagen and elastin molecules cannot be absorbed by the skin. For better results, take a collagen product that allows you to create the protein from the inside out.
Surgical Procedures
While you might see some improvement from natural remedies, surgical procedures will yield more pronounced skin-lifting results. Body contouring surgery is often used to remove loose skin. The surgeon makes an incision, removes the excess skin, and sutures the incision to minimize scarring.
Body contouring can be performed on various parts of the body. Options include tummy tucks, upper and lower body lifts, thigh lifts, and arm lifts.
Alternative Medical Procedures
There are a few alternative procedures that are less invasive than body contouring. They include:
Radiofrequency Treatment: Radiofrequency uses a combination of infrared light, radiofrequency, and massage to reduce loose skin. It works to decrease small areas of fat cells and promote a tightened appearance.
Ultrasound: A study showed that ultrasound treatment does not improve the appearance of loose skin. However, it may reduce pain and other symptoms associated with loose skin.
Losing weight is a major accomplishment. The loose skin may be a downside, but there are ways to deal with it. Which option do you feel is best suited to your needs?
