The fear of loose skin after dieting is enough to keep some people from dieting at all. Loose skin after weight loss does happen occasionally. However, the long-term health benefits from getting to a healthy weight are more important than cosmetic skin issues. When you lose weight, you will have more energy to participate in the activities you enjoy, reduce your risk of dying from heart disease and look better in clothes.
Causes
Loose skin occurs as your skin loses elasticity. The University of Minnesota explains that loose skin is similar to a rubber band that has lost its stretch. Your skin may sag after weight loss due to this overstretching effect. The degree to which your skin sags varies based on your age, how long you were overweight and the amount of weight you lost. In general, if you lose less than 50 pounds, your skin will not change significantly. If you have bariatric surgery or lose weight very quickly, you are more likely to have skin issues. Genetics also a play a role in the effect weight loss has on your skin's appearance.
Complications
Occasionally, people who lose large amounts of weight have complication with the loose skin left after weight loss. Rashes may occur due to the loose skin rubbing against tighter skin. The Cleveland Clinic says that the continued rubbing of your skin can lead to infection and medical issues. In addition to medical concerns, excess skin may make wearing smaller sized clothes difficult and can cause difficulty keeping the underside of the skin clean. If you have loose skin on your thighs, you may find walking difficult.
Appearance and Location
The excess skin is generally the same color as the rest of your skin. The skin often sags around your face, arms, breasts, thighs, stomach and abdomen, according to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. The skin may have permanent stretch marks left over from before you lost weight. You or your doctor can easily manipulate the skin.
Solutions
Exercises that target the muscles under the loose skin can help reduce the saggy appearance, but will not tighten the skin itself. Strength training exercises such as lifting weights, doing crunches and performing squats and lunges are good for your muscle tone. Surgery is one solution for getting rid of excess skin completely. If the skin is not bothersome physically, you can wear supportive undergarments to improve your appearance in clothes.
Considerations
Do not assume you will have loose skin if you lose weight. Every person reacts to weight loss differently. If you have loose skin after losing weight, carefully weigh your surgical options. Any surgery is risky and make sure you are comfortable with the risks involved. According to Columbia University's "Go Ask Alice!" website, you should wait two years after you reach your goal weight before considering surgery. This time gives your body a chance to recover as much skin elasticity as possible.
References
- The Harvard School of Public Health: How to Get to Your Healthy Weight
- University of Minnesota Physicians: Body Contouring After Massive Weight Loss
- Cleveland Clinic: Body-Contouring Surgery After Significant Weight Loss
- American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery: Post Bariatric Surgery
- Baylor College of Medicine: Body Contouring After Massive Weight Loss
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