Losing weight is an accomplishment, especially in a world rife with fast food and creamy desserts. According to Tom Venuto, fitness expert at WeightLossDigest.org, weight gain and later loss can damage collagen and elastin in the dermis--the deep layer of skin under the surface layer--which can cause skin to sag and loosen. As you lose weight, you may notice that your skin isn't keeping up with the loss of fat underneath and has lost some elasticity. While you can't restore all skin to its former tightness, you can take measures to help your skin regain elasticity.
Step 1
Moisturize often. Skin can become dry and brittle when it isn't hydrated enough, causing elasticity to decrease. According to MayoClinic.com, moisturizers can not only help hydrate the skin but also can contain other ingredients like minerals, plant extracts, vitamins and sunblocks to aid in keeping your skin safe and soft.
Step 2
Stay hydrated and keep up with vitamins and minerals. Harry Pino, director of exercise physiology at the Obesity Consult Center of Tufts New England Medical Center, states that eating foods high in water content, maintaining a lower fat and higher protein diet even after weight loss, and keeping up with vitamins and minerals will help skin retain elasticity. Take a multi-vitamin daily, and if you are engaging in vigorous exercise, make sure your zinc and potassium levels are not depleted.
Step 3
Firm your muscles, especially in problem areas. According to Cedric Bryant, chief science officer for the American Council on Exercise, adding muscle doesn't necessarily shrink skin, but by firming up muscle, you can form a tighter layer under the skin, which can improve how your skin looks. Often, skin looks more flabby because you sill have fat underneath skin layers that pulls at the skin, providing more of a sag effect. In your upper arms, for example, you may have issues with "bat wings" under your arms, but the more fat you lose and muscle you build, the less that skin will sag when you lift your arms.
Step 4
Give your skin time to catch up. Often, skin might look baggy and loose early on after weight loss, but it will naturally spring back, albeit slowly. Fat under the skin layers might burn away quickly, but your skin takes longer to spring back. Keep moisturizing and exercising to get rid of the excess fat, and allow at least a year for your skin to regain as much elasticity after weight loss as possible before considering methods like plastic surgery procedures.
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