AVOID Loose Skin on the HCG Diet

Many of you out there may be wondering if you'll end up with a lot of saggy, loose skin during or after dieting on HCG.  It makes sense to consider this, and it's definitely a valid question for all you HCGers and potential HCG dieters out there.

Lose a lot of weight fast + no exercise on HCG = a lot of extra, flabby skin, right? Well, not necessarily.

If you don't know this already, the HCG diet is actually one of the BEST diets and weight loss plans out there, no matter how much weight you may have to lose, and especially if you have tried other diets with little or no success like some of us have. We know that the HCG diet amazingly suppresses appetite and helps you shed unwanted fat quickly and naturally, but  does that mean with the HCG diet  that once the fat is gone that loose skin will just be hanging there? Well, not exactly. Here's why...

For those of you who may be new to how HCG works or new to the HCG diet itself, it's important to first and foremost understand what HCG is and how it may affect your body and your skin when you go on the HCG diet. HCG, or human chorionic gonadotropin is a hormone. HCG is more widely known as the "female hormone present during pregnancy." HCG levels rise in a female during pregnancy to help protect and nourish the unborn fetus. The main function of HCG is to trigger the hypothalamus gland in the brain to release abnormal fat. In pregnancy, (if needed) the fat stores are used to nourish the baby, but when used as a weight loss treatment, can result in thousands of calories of stored fat lost in hard to get off areas such as the abdomen, hips, and thighs. Not only is muscle loss prevented while dieting on HCG, but metabolism improves as well.

But can this dramatic weight loss wreak havoc on your skin? The answer lies in the HCG hormone itself. A common feature often noticed in expectant mothers is the "pregnancy look" or a very healthy "glow." This particular phenomenon is not coincidence or made-up but actually a result of accumulating HCG within the mother's body. The hormone HCG is meant not only for the protection of the fetus, but for the well being of the mother as well.  One of the biggest factors of HCG is its effect on the skin. Only with HCG is a woman's skin able to stretch so far and rapidly during pregnancy and then quickly rebound and return to its normal state. HCG actually improves skin elasticity and can remove cellulite and skin dimpling. Because of its profound and beneficial effects on the skin and its ability to pull abnormal fat, the HCG diet can actually provide great body contouring. If done correctly, and a max of 34 lbs. is lost per round of HCG (as recommended by Dr. Simeons, the original creator of the HCG diet) most HCG dieters do not have issues with excessive or loose skin. (If more weight loss is desired then another round of HCG must be done). Most HCG dieters are pleasantly surprised at how quickly they drop the weight and that they just seem to be "shrinking" from everywhere...including their skin.

There are also a few other ways to help keep your skin nice and firm while on your diet journey...

Drink plenty of water.

Healthy skin is hydrated skin. Making sure you are drinking adequate amounts of water during and after dieting is super important in keeping your skin soft, supple, and youthful looking no matter what your age.

Exercise.

It is not recommended to exercise while on the HCG diet, but after the diet is complete, toning and mild strength training may be very beneficial in improving muscle tone. Firm muscle and tone can improve the look of skin and texture as well as prevent sagging.

Keep skin moisturized.

Like exercise mentioned above, oils and lotions should be avoided on the HCG diet, but after the program and during maintenance, a good skincare regimen can make all the difference in improving your skin's tone and texture. Skin elasticity and firmness 'technically' are really more of an internal issue, and skin firming creams and lotions are certainly limited as to what they can do and of course how much "collagen repair" they can provide, but keeping skin moisturized on the outside is a basic but yet still a big step in improving skin resilience, nourishment, as well as providing protection.

Keep hormones well balanced.

Hormones can fluctuate continuously throughout our lives, and doing our best to keep things in balance is important in maintaining proper skin integrity. Many times our skin is a projector of what may be going on internally. For example, hormones can cause oily skin which can cause acne breakouts, and hormones can also cause dry skin which can lead to premature skin wrinkling and cracking. Hormones change especially during times of stress, puberty, pregnancy, and menopause. But there is a huge hormonal shift, or decline rather, that occurs with age. Many women and men notice numerous signs of this hormonal shift, but one of the more noticeable effects is in the skin. Hormonal decline with age is the number one factor in skin wrinkling, age spots, etc. Unfortunately, there is little we can do to "turn-back-the-clock" so to speak, but there are few other treatment measures (besides those listed above) that can be taken to help maintain skin firmness and youthfulness...Some adults find great success by supplementing hormone loss with HGH (Human Growth Hormone) therapy. HGH therapy not only improves skin texture and turgor, but it may also improve other age related issues such as loss of libido, fatigue, muscle loss, etc. To learn more about HGH therapy and its benefits click here  https://nuimagemedical.com/hgh-therapy/.

Eat nutritiously. Eating right is also a MUST for anyone that wants to keep their skin firm, bright, and healthy. The HCG diet is a great stepping stone in helping to get you started on a healthier eating track, but it's just a start. Keeping large amounts of fresh fruits and vegetables in your diet while maintaining your weight loss will not only make you healthy on the inside but will also keep your skin healthy on the outside as well. Eating well and nutritiously is also an extremely important factor in hormonal balance. In fact, most physicians start hormone- imbalanced patients on a healthy eating plan first before discussing further treatment options.

HCG is a remarkable hormone, and ONLY with the HCG diet can dramatic weight loss occur with amazing body contouring results that prevents saggy, loose skin. And  by following the simple steps above, you can help  keep your skin tight and firm for years to come.

If you have more questions about the HCG diet and loose skin, please feel free to contact us at Nu Image Medical (888)520-3438.

About the author

Dr. Constance Odom, MD

Dr. Constance Odom, MD

Dr. Constance Odom, MD

About

Constance Tambakis Odom, MD graduated in 1987 with her Doctorate of Medicine from the New York Medical College, and was an Anesthesiologist Resident from 1988 to 1991 at the Brookdale Medical Center PGY II (CA-I)-PGY IV (CA-III). She is Board Certified by the American Board of Anesthesiology since 1998 and American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine since 2002. Constance Odom, MD is affiliated with the American Medical Association, American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine, American Society of Anesthesiology, Georgia Society of Anesthesiology, Hellenic Medical Society of New York, North Carolina Society of Anesthesiology, and Society of Ambulatory Anesthesia.

Credentials

Medical Director At:

• Nu Image Medical
• MetroMedispa P.A.

Staff Anesthesiologist at:

• Betsy Johnson Regional Hospital in Dunn, NC
• Onslow Memorial Hospital in Jacksonville, NC
• Duplin General Hospital in Kenansville, NC

Director of Anesthesia Services at:

• Jacksonville Surgery Center in Jacksonville, NC

7 years ago · 8 min read