Loose Skin After Weight Loss: Does it Go Away? Here’s How You Can Get Rid of It
Apart from the positive changes, weight loss sometimes comes with unexpected, unwanted changes, too like loose skin that exists as sagging folds all over your body. But can you really do anything about the sagging skin? Read on to find out.
So you have lost a lot of weight with your strict diet and exercise but you are still not happy with your 'slim' photos going up on Instagram. You lost major weight but now that loose skin hanging on your arms and belly is somehow snatching away your sex appeal. Loose skin is extremely common after a drastic weight loss as being in a larger body previously stretches out your skin. Further, the collagen and elastin decrease as you age which further contributes to loose skin. But can you reverse this weight loss side effect?
How to Get Rid Of Loose Skin after Weight Loss?
Unfortunately, you will have to opt for surgical methods to get rid of loose skin and effectively contour your body. Typically, after bariatric surgery or massive weight loss, plastic surgery is required to remove excess skin. While these plastic surgery procedures can be heavy on your pockets, they can be very effective in removing the excess skin and lifting or reshaping the remaining tissue.
Apart from going under the blades, options include liposuction. Here a suction technique is used to remove excess skin and fat. It is an invasive procedure where ultrasound or radiofrequency is used to heat up the skin and cause contraction by triggering collagen production. In short, surgical excision even though it comes with a longer recovery remains the gold standard. You can expect only subtle results from the minimally-invasive treatments.
Can Exercise Help Tighten Loose Skin?
There is no magic cream or exercise that can tighten loose skin after weight loss besides the non-invasive and minimally-invasive options that are also somewhat effective. However, it can always be a great idea to approach weight loss gradually to prevent loose skin in the first place. Losing Weight Too Fast Can Harm Your Health! Know Why?
Will The Loose Skin After Drastic Weight Loss Go Away On Its Own?
While the loose skin will not really go away on its own, a lot of factors like your weight and age, to genetics and skin quality come into play. So will be more likely to even out your skin if you are maybe still in your 20s. If you have lost weight through bariatric surgery, do your homework and get in touch with a plastic surgeon. Low Carb Diet Side Effects: What Happens When You Go Off Carbohydrates For Weight Loss.
Are There Any Home Remedies For Skin Tightening?
Unfortunately, there are no efficacious topical products or OTC remedies for excess skin. But if you still insist, the best home remedy is to eat a diet full of fruits and vegetables and use sun protection to help collagen production.
Strength training can help tone your body and tighten your muscles, so you might just want to alternate your cardio with strength training to help your skin look tauter and lose weight at the same time.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 07, 2019 02:44 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).