You may experience loose skin after weight loss if your weight loss occurs rapidly, preventing the skin's elasticity from adjusting and affecting its ability to retract with the rest of the body. This loose skin can be embarrassing and contribute to a poor body image, and in some cases it can be hard to keep clean, leading to infection. Fortunately, there are ways to tighten this loose skin naturally and with surgery.
Step 1
Apply a moisturizer to your skin daily. Hydrating the skin helps increase its elasticity. Use a moisturizer every morning and evening, and choose one without drying ingredients like alcohol and strong fragrances.
Step 2
Eat a diet low in fat and rich in protein. Focus on eating eggs, nuts and lean cuts of meat. According to iFit & Healthy, this helps to tighten skin even after you've lost weight.
Step 3
Do strength training exercises at least three days a week. When you build muscle below areas of loose skin, it makes the entire area tighter. Do crunches to focus on your abdominal area, lunges for your legs and bicep curls or push-ups for your arms.
Step 4
Discuss body contouring surgery with a plastic surgeon. This type of surgery is designed to reshape and tighten droopy and stretched areas. Panniculectomy and abdominoplasty procedures remove excess abdominal skin, and lifts can be done on the thighs, arms, chest, breasts, face and neck. The official website of the University of Minnesota Physicians states that you may be eligible for body contouring surgery if you are healthy, psychologically prepared and have maintained a stable weight for at least six months.
Tips and Warnings
- You can prevent loose skin after weight loss by losing weight gradually. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, losing weight at a rate of 1 to 2 pounds per week is healthy and makes you more likely to keep the weight off. It will also allow your skin's elasticity time to adjust.
Things You'll Need
- Moisturizer
Member Comments