How to avoid loose skin: Tips for weight loss success

Dr. Constance Odom, MD

Medically reviewed by

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

Written by our editorial team.

Last Edited 2 months ago · 8 min read

Weight loss journeys are incredibly personal and vary from one individual to another. They are marked by triumphs, challenges, and sometimes, unexpected outcomes like loose skin. This phenomenon often catches many by surprise, especially after achieving significant weight loss milestones. However, understanding the factors that contribute to loose skin and adopting strategies to mitigate it can make your weight loss experience more rewarding and fulfilling.

Understanding loose skin after weight loss

When you gain weight, your skin stretches to accommodate the increased volume of body fat. During rapid or significant weight loss, the skin may not retract back to its original size and shape, leading to loose, sagging skin. Factors that contribute to the development of loose skin include age, the amount of weight lost, and the speed at which weight loss occurs.

Aging:

Weight loss is a process that may take several years to achieve, particularly if you are aiming to lose 100 pounds or more. During this time, the aging process continues. As a person ages, their skin naturally loses elasticity as the body slows collagen production.

If you have been on a weight loss journey, your skin may not be as elastic as before. This is because the skin loses its ability to stretch over time. This can result in loose or sagging skin.

Rapid weight loss:

When a person loses a significant amount of weight quickly, it is hard for the body to keep up with the weight loss. This most commonly happens in cases with surgical intervention--like bariatric surgery. Rapid weight loss can happen if someone has an illness or loses weight too quickly using natural methods. Unlike slow and steady methods where the skin can contract, this does not occur; instead, the skin hangs in place.

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Weight gain over time:

People who have been overweight for a long time may have stretched skin that is hard to tighten without extreme measures.

Genetic disposition:

In some cases, people are born with the genes for saggier skin than others. This may not be noticeable until you begin to age and can be exacerbated by significant weight loss.

Overall health and Diet:

Those who have certain underlying health conditions may have skin that appears less healthy or less elastic than those who do not.

The diet also plays a part in the look and feel of the skin. It is crucial to eat foods that are high in vitamins that support skin health and to stay adequately hydrated each day. Experts recommend as a general guideline that adults should consume between 6 to 8 cups of water each day. This amount may be more or less based on overall activity levels and any pre-existing conditions.

Why skin elasticity matters:

Skin elasticity is crucial in how well your skin can bounce back after being stretched. Collagen and elastin are key proteins that give skin firmness and elasticity. Over time, or with rapid weight loss, the production of these proteins can decrease, affecting the skin's ability to return to its pre-stretched state.

Strategies to Avoid Loose Skin when Losing Weight

Preventing loose skin after weight loss is not guaranteed. However, by focusing on certain strategies, you can optimize your chances of achieving your desired results and maintaining skin elasticity.

1. Lose weight gradually

The most crucial step is to lose weight gradually whenever possible. While some people require surgical interventions for weight loss, it is best to lose as much weight as you can on your own. By following a lower-calorie diet and exercising regularly, a normal weight-loss journey will allow you to lose around 1 to 2 pounds per week. Losing weight slowly gives your body the time it needs and provides your skin with the ability to contract week by week.

By comparison, those who undergo bariatric surgeries of any form generally lose around 1 to 2 pounds per day during the first 60 to 90 days after their operation. This weight loss slows over time but remains much faster than average weight loss efforts. Overall, bariatric surgery patients lose around 50-70% of their body fat within the first year after surgery. At this speed, the body is continually losing fat and the skin is unable to contract properly to keep up.

2. Incorporate the right exercises

Oftentimes when people are exercising to lose weight, they stick with exercises like cardio. Jogging, for example, can help you burn calories and lose weight but it does not do much for avoiding sagging skin. The key here is to remove excess skin and fat, and replace with muscle mass lean muscle.

Strength training or resistance training exercises, such as weight lifting, lunges, and squats, are particularly beneficial for toning and tightening the skin. By engaging in these exercises, you not only burn calories but also promote muscle growth, which helps to fill out the skin and maintain its elasticity.

This includes exercises like weight lifting, lunges, and squats. If you are unsure of the best methods for your particular situation, consider working with a personal trainer.

3. Consider supplements

If you have undergone bariatric surgery and have had rapid weight loss, it is essential to pay attention to the vitamins and nutrients that you are consuming on a daily basis.

Because you are physically restricted with what you can eat, each bite is crucial in giving your body the vitamins and nutrients it needs to function and keep your skin healthy. Even those who have not undergone surgery may have diets that are lacking in much-needed nutrients.

In fact, it is believed that as many as 92% of American adults have vitamin deficiencies. To ensure that your body has all of the nutrients and vitamins it needs consider taking supplements. While a general multivitamin will do the trick, there are also ones designed specifically to support the functions and health of the skin.

Explore all the supplements you can find on NU Image Medical.

4. Stay hydrated

Hydration is key to maintaining skin elasticity. Drinking plenty of water helps keep your skin supple and more capable of adjusting to changes in your body size. Additionally, staying hydrated supports overall health and aids in weight loss.

5. Avoid smoking

The health consequences of smoking cigarettes or vaping are endless. Each year 480,000 people die from the effects of tobacco use. Many more struggle with heart disease, stroke, lung cancer, breathing difficulties, and more. While these are all severe and dire consequences, one of the first noticeable signs of damage from tobacco use lies in the appearance of the skin.

When a person uses tobacco, the nicotine within it restricts the blood flow throughout the body. This includes the skin and affects the production of collagen and elastin. With an inadequate amount of these proteins, the skin becomes dry, less elastic, and is prone to sagging.

Treatment options for loose skin after weight loss

Remember that losing weight is crucial for your health. While it can be disappointing to experience sagging skin after working hard to lose weight and improve your body image, keep in mind that the amount of stress your body is under has been significantly reduced.

Even if you do not receive the exact results that you had in mind, losing weight is a huge achievement that should be celebrated.

However, people with a lot of loose skin after losing weight may experience pain, skin infections, or limitations in activities. In this case, it is important to consider all of the available treatment options.

Collagen supplements:

Boosting the amount of collagen your body produces can be helpful in mild cases of sagging skin. The results will vary but you may notice slight improvement after several months of taking the supplements.

Build muscle:

For moderate cases of sagging skin after weight loss, building muscle in place of the lost fat can decrease the appearance of loose skin.

Firming creams:

Although there are varying reports of success with firming creams, some believe that they are helpful in temporarily tightening loose skin.

Body contouring surgery:

Body Contouring Surgery consists of several specific procedures. All of these procedures focus on surgically removing the excess skin to improve the function and appearance of an area of focus. Some of the most common forms of these surgeries include brachioplasty which removes skin that hangs from the arm and abdominoplasty (or tummy tuck) to get rid of sagging abdominal skin and strengthen the muscles.

Other procedures such as a panniculectomy remove the skin that hangs beneath the belly button, while an overall lower body lift aids in removing skin from the hips, thighs, and backside.

Chemical peels:

Chemical peels are less invasive than facelift surgery but can help improve the appearance and sagginess of skin on the face or neck.

Botox:

Most commonly thought of in the case of avoiding wrinkles, Botox can be an option for decreasing the appearance of sagging skin in certain areas of the body.

Radiofrequency or lasers:

Although radiofrequency devices or laser procedures can sound intimidating, they offer promising results and are good options for those who do not qualify for weight loss surgeries due to health concerns.

Who qualifies for skin removal surgeries?

To qualify for one of the many surgical procedures to remove skin after weight loss, the patient will need to meet some requirements. First and foremost, they must be in an overall healthy state. For those with certain health conditions, cosmetic surgeries may be too much of a risk for doctors to perform. From there, they must also be non-smokers who are committed to continuing a healthy diet and lifestyle after the procedure.

Those who have lost a significant amount of weight (usually 100 pounds or more) must also maintain this weight loss for at least six months before they are deemed eligible for excess skin removal surgery.

Prevention is key

Although surgeries and other methods are available to remedy sagging skin because of weight loss, prevention is key. Those who are embarking on a weight loss journey naturally should ensure that they do not lose weight too rapidly. Aim for a weight loss of 1-2 pounds per week to give your skin the chance to properly contract throughout the process. In some cases, dietary supplements may be used to help maintain this pace over time.

Keep in mind that losing a large amount of weight is an ongoing process and requires extreme lifestyle changes to achieve and maintain goals. Along with gradual weight loss, be sure to eat a well-balanced diet and hydrate regularly. For those undergoing bariatric surgery, you can help minimize the amount of sagging skin by implementing muscle-building activities into your daily routine even before surgery takes place.

By understanding the factors that contribute to it and adopting a holistic approach to weight management, you can significantly reduce the risk of developing loose skin. Whether you're just starting on your weight loss path or are looking for ways to address loose skin, remember, the focus should always be on overall health and wellness.

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This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The information contained herein is not a substitute for and should never be relied upon for professional medical advice. Always talk to your physician about the risks and benefits of any treatment. Nu Image Medical may not offer the medications or services mentioned in this article.