You’ve been working hard at the gym and watching your calorie intake – no easy feat, especially during the holiday season. (The eggnog will get you.) Now, you’ve lost a lot of weight. Yes! However, you may have excessive sagging of the skin on your abdomen, thighs, face or arms. This is because the elastin and collagen in your skin are destroyed, making it harder to “snap back” into stretched skin.
It can be hard to feel excited about your accomplishment when you feel insecure about excess skin. It can also be uncomfortable or difficult to find clothes that fit properly. But there are some solutions. We review the safest and most effective skin tightening practices and treatments.
Why does the skin fall off?
As you age, your body will have lower amounts of elastin and collagen, which are responsible for maintaining elasticity and firm skin. Weight gain and pregnancy can also damage elastin and collagen fibers. When you lose weight, it can be difficult for your skin to bounce back.
How to tighten the skin after losing weight?
There are many products out there that claim their cream will lead to skin tightening. Unfortunately, there is not enough evidence to suggest that home remedies are very effective. The The American Academy of Dermatology writes that these creams don’t penetrate deep enough to lift damaged skin. They explain that some moisturizers can give your skin a “fuller” look, but that the results are usually temporary.
There are, however, effective medical treatments – both non-invasive (non-surgical) and invasive (surgical).
Can You Really Tighten Your Skin After Losing Weight?
Yes! There are several non-invasive treatments recommended by dermatologists and plastic surgeons. These treatments consist of:
- Ultrasound. Writes the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery that in this procedure, a portable device transmits energy through the skin (about 5 mm) which causes collagen production.
- Radio frequency. In this procedure, thin tubes or needles are inserted into the skin to heat the tissue underneath. Similar to an ultrasound, this will also stimulate collagen production and tighten the skin.
- Laser treatments. According to Mayo Cliniclaser resurfacing is a procedure that uses a laser to destroy the top layer of skin and heat the next layer, which increases collagen production.
It is important to note that although stimulation of collagen production is integral to all of these treatments, collagen supplements have not been proven to effective treatment.
Your dermatologist or plastic surgeon may recommend one of these procedures or surgery, especially if you’ve lost a lot of weight.
Uzbek face? Don’t use the term. It’s offensive and useless.
Can loose skin be removed after weight loss?
Yes, there are a few different surgeries that can be performed. The most common are:
- A “tummy tuck”. A “tummy tuck” or tummy tuck removes excess skin from the abdomen and tightens tight abdominal muscles.
- Lower body lift. A lower body lift (or peripheral body lift) tightens the skin on the abdomen, thighs and buttocks. It also tightens tight abdominal muscles.
- Panniculectomy. A panniculectomy simply removes excess skin from your abdomen.
- Lifting thighs and buttocks. This procedure removes excess skin around the thighs and buttocks while creating a smoother, more sculpted appearance.
- Upper body lift. Same as thigh and butt lift but around the arms, chest and back/bra line.
Excess skin can be frustrating, but with the help of a trusted practitioner, you can feel confident about your recent weight loss.
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