Losing weight can help your health, extend your life and make you look better in clothes. But dropping a significant amount of weight -- even in a natural way, sans surgery -- may have an unpleasant consequence: loose skin. Fortunately, there are ways to shed weight without leaving excess skin, as well as skin-tightening fixes after the fact.
Description
According to the American Academy of Dermatology, or AAD, skin is the largest organ of the body and grows faster than any other organ. The skin has two layers: the epidermis on top and the dermis below. The epidermis continually produces new cells that push to the top surface. Ideally, the skin molds to the shape of the body. "The layers of the skin are made up of elastic connective tissue that allow the skin to expand or shrink with your body weight," explains Sandra Read, M.D., a dermatologist in Washington, D.C., and spokesperson for the AAD. When you lose a lot of weight quickly, however, the elastic components of the skin may not be able to adapt to your smaller, trimmer body, according to Read.
Identification
Excess skin after weight loss may take the form of extra skin under the arms or folds of skin under the abdomen that hang down like elephant skin. "It's most common for this to happen in the stomach area," says James Day, M.D., medical director of the Colorado Center for Weight Management in Denver. Excessive amounts of stretched skin can make it difficult to wear clothes comfortably. In some cases, the layers of saggy skin may rub or chafe together. This can be identified by rashes or even sores on the skin, Dr. Day notes. The good news is that saggy skin after weight loss may not be permanent. "It may take 12 to 18 months for the skin to stabilize and conform to the shape of your body," Day says.
Factors
The speed and amount of weight loss are the two main factors contributing to loose, saggy skin. Dropping weight quickly increases the risk of sagging skin, according to Day. Excess skin after weight loss is most common when 100 or more pounds are shed. "You're probably not going to have a problem if you've lost just 20 to 50 pounds," says Day, who adds that obese people who undergo significant weight loss are most likely to have excess skin. Other contributing factors include skin damage from sun or smoking, genetics and age. Older skin isn't as elastic as younger skin, Read explains.
Solution
Choose a diet that allows you to shed pounds gradually. In addition to losing weight slowly, incorporating strength training into your exercise program may help prevent saggy skin. Day indicates that excess skin will adhere to the new muscle, and weightlifting may help tighten the skin. Day also suggests wearing compression undergarments, or girdles, during extreme weight loss to help keep the skin from stretching out too far. If saggy skin is still bothersome, skin removal surgery is an option. This cosmetic surgery can be expensive and is not usually covered by insurance, however.
Considerations
The possibility of excess skin is no reason to put off weight loss. Losing weight rarely causes saggy skin around the face and neck, according to Day. Even if you have extra folds of skin around your arms or abdomen, they can be hidden with clothing. "Dropping weight is more important than a little saggy skin," Day notes. Obesity increases the risk of heart disease, diabetes and some cancers. Getting to a healthy weight will improve your wellness and increase your chances of enjoying a long, happy life.
References
- American Academy of Dermatology: Fast Skin Facts
- Sandra Read, M.D., dermatologist, Washington, D.C.; American Academy of Dermatology spokesperson; fellow and member of the AAD Board of Directors
- James Day, M.D., weight-loss specialist; medical director, Colorado Center for Weight Management in Denver
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