Loose, or “saggy,” skin is a persistent side effect of significant weight loss. In fact, it affects more than 70% of those who have weight loss surgery. While this is completely natural, it does cause a distinct set of discomforts.
Loose skin can be unpleasant because it can irritate your skin by rubbing against it. It can also be mentally taxing and heighten your self-consciousness. Excess skin can even obstruct exercising and other physical activities. So, while weight loss stimulates people to exercise, the effect of loose skin is not ideal. Excessive loose skin can be removed surgically, but other alternatives options are available that are less invasive.
Prevention
There are a few things you can do to avoid loose skin, and they are all related to the reasons outlined above. First and foremost, if you smoke, stop. Make your home a no-smoking zone to avoid being exposed to it. If you want to quit smoking, go to your doctor. Even if it’s foggy outside, wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 15 to protect your skin from the sun’s harmful rays. Apply at least 15 minutes before leaving the house and reapply every two hours.
How to Achieve Loose Skin
Loose skin might be an unintended consequence of a few lifestyle choices; it is not always related to weight loss. The following are the most common causes why people have “loose” skin on their bodies.
• Smoking: Tobacco smoke causes the skin’s suppleness to deteriorate, resulting in loose, drooping skin.
• Sun Exposure: The sun affects the skin, significantly lowering collagen and elastin levels. It also decreases cutaneous carotenoids, which help to protect the skin.
• Weight Loss: One study discovered that those who lost a significant amount of weight had thinner collagen and less elastic fibers, resulting in lighter and weaker skin.
• Aging: As you get older, your skin, like many other parts of your body, changes. Skin thins and loses elasticity, resulting in sagging or loose skin.
Exercise
Coping with excessive loose skin after weight loss excessive loose skin after weight loss is common. There are, however, certain things you can do to deal with it.
There have been no human trials that show exercise can reduce loose skin. On the other hand, increased muscle mass may aid in improving the appearance of extra skin. Physical activity has also been found in studies to significantly improve individuals’ self-esteem, which may help reduce any feelings of self-consciousness about loose skin.
Garments for Compression
You may have seen athletes wearing compression clothing while participating in sports or working out at the gym. However, they can also be beneficial following weight loss. By preventing loose, extra skin from rubbing against other skin, compression clothing avoids rashes and infections. Also, using powder can prevent and soothe chafing.
Supplements
Skin proteins have been observed in studies to decrease after weight loss. Collagen is one of these proteins, and it helps maintain skin tight and elastic. A collagen supplement can help boost collagen formation in the skin, boosting moisture and firming drooping skin. Look for a collagen peptides supplement, which can be taken as a tablet or in powder form. Vitamin C promotes collagen formation and is necessary for skin health. The best method to obtain more is to take a vitamin C and E supplement. According to one study, fermented papaya extract combined with a supplement containing vitamin C, vitamin E, selenium, and trans-resveratrol enhanced general skin health.
Radiofrequency Therapy
Radiofrequency treatment, often known as RF treatment, is a non-surgical method of treating loose skin. It stimulates collagen formation by using heat from a high-frequency alternating current. Due to no downtime and no scarring, RF therapy has become very popular. Furthermore, you may notice an improvement in the skin’s tone and firmness. However, just because the treatment is becoming more popular does not imply you should schedule one right now. Before committing to the therapy, consult with a medical expert and select a qualified practitioner who utilizes FDA-approved equipment.
Kim’s Final Thoughts…
Excess skin following weight reduction is persistent, but there are treatments available. What matters most is how you feel in your body. Weight loss appears to contradict the body positivity trend, but the good news is that you can love yourself and lose weight at the same time. These alternatives are not mutually exclusive. You can work on having body confidence at any size and achieving your body goals. Seek a medical practitioner before beginning any treatment plan.
