There are endless upsides to releasing unwanted weight: improved health, increased energy, elevated confidence. The list goes on. But one possible downside to significant weight loss is developing saggy, excess skin. So we reached out to health experts and everyday women to ask how best to deal with loose skin after weight loss. Here, some natural and easy solutions, as well as some more involved approaches to consider.
Why does loose skin happen after weight loss?
In many ways, skin is an amazing organ that can stretch to expand life’s changes, like pregnancy. It contains three layers: the epidermis (the outside that displays our skin color), the dermis (the middle part that is strong and bungee-cord stretchy, thanks to elastin fibers), and the hypodermis (the bottom part that insulates and protects us with fat.)
But when the skin expands and stays expanded for years with prolonged weight loss, the elastin “strings” can get damaged, similar to what happens when the skin grows too rapidly and develops stretch marks. And since we often lose fat and muscle during weight loss, we can have extra skin that is left over and unable to bounce back to its original shape, look or smoothness.
Who is prone to loose skin after losing a lot of weight?
People are more likely to develop loose, saggy skin if they were at their heavier weight for longer, lost the weight more quickly, lost a higher percentage of their total body weight, or have other factors at play like age and genetics. For example, about 70 percent of people who undergo weight-loss surgery and lose around 100 pounds will develop excess skin, according to Canadian research published in Obesity Journal.
Why it may be worth trying to minimize loose skin
Loose skin can affect people’s body confidence. It can also become irritated due to chaffing or rashes. And for some people, excess skin folds may be more difficult to keep clean. That’s not all: Sagging skin is a sign of lost collagen (a protein stored in the middle layer of our skin), which can hint at future health problems. Anthony Youn, MD, one of the nation’s top holistic plastic surgeons, explains “Less collagen means sagging of skin, weaker tissues, like tendons, ligaments and cartilage that tear more easily, and weaker bones that are more likely to break.” For this reason, he adds, “Collagen is so important for fighting aging.” (More on collagen later…) So without further delay, here are ways to deal with loose skin or prevent it from happening in the future.
Conceal loose skin by wearing special garments
Most women we spoke to reach for compression undergarments to instantly create the appearance of smoother skin under their clothes. Paulette Szalay, who lost 90 pounds, says, “I have used a few types for my stomach but HoneyLove Shapewear is a great brand because it doesn’t roll down and it is not tight.”
Tighten loose skin with firming creams or masks
There are countless products on the market designed to target damaged skin and rejuvenate its appearance. Look for formulas that contain retinol, an ingredient known to promote the skin’s ability to make more skin-firming collagen. Another helpful ingredient is bromelain, naturally found in pineapple, and shown to boost the elasticity and firmness of skin to treat things like bumpy cellulite. One product to try on loose belly and thigh skin: DropOff body-sculpting serum.
Another idea is to wear a special “mask” to restore some of the damage that gravity inflicts on skin. “I have a few tricks for the loose skin in my neck. I use a neck mask while I sleep,” Szalay explains. “It is a silicon mask that you can reuse a few times. It isn’t cheap but it’s worth it.” One disposable option to consider: Taigaga Neck Wrinkle Patches, designed to tighten, lift and firm.
Repair and prevent loose skin by consuming collagen
Wellness advocate Naomi Whittel, author of the best-selling book Glow15, explains how we lose collagen with age, and the process only accelerates. “By the time you reach age 25, you produce about 1 percent less collagen per year… At 50, you may have up to 50 percent less collagen than you did in your twenties.” It’s not just a cosmetic issue of wrinkles and skin sagging. “Collagen depletion leads to easy bruising,” she says, “And wounds take longer to heal with a lack of collagen.”
The good news: We can boost our skin’s collagen levels with food and supplements. A 2014 placebo-controlled study published in Skin Pharmacology and Physiology revealed that taking oral supplementation for 8 weeks reduced facial wrinkles by 20 percent and increased skin’s elastin by 18 percent. So try mixing a high-quality, hydrolyzed collagen powder into a daily shake. This type of protein has been described as working like “Spanx for skin.” One brand to consider: Zint Collagen Peptides powder.
“Collagen maintains the skin structure,” reiterates Kellyann Petrucci, MS, ND, an expert in collagen-rich bone broth and author of Dr. Kellyann’s Bone Broth Diet. “When we can replenish collagen, we end up turning back the clock and we increase the elasticity and hydration and start to see a reduction in sagginess.”
Consider non-invasive cosmetic treatments
Some women swear by laser skin-tightening treatments. Another promising dermatology approach that is gaining popularity is microneedling, which creates miniscule “injuries” to the skin to stimulate collagen production and deep cellular healing.
“With weight loss, and especially being older, our skin isn’t as elastic as when we were younger,” says Vivian Tordeau, who lost 96 pounds on a keto diet. Her answer for loose skin: “I do Cryoskin. It’s a machine that builds your collagen and tightens the skin.” This spa treatment is being called an alternative to liposuction. It uses cold temperatures to target fat cells to improve skin’s overall tone and texture and reduce sagging and cellulite. Then it flushes trapped toxins that are affecting skin’s appearance out through the lymphatic system. Tordeau says, “It’s amazing!”
For a more involved approach consider removing excess skin
Up to 90 percent of people who lose a major amount of weight indicate they’d like to undergo plastic surgery to rid that extra skin, says the Journal of Plastic Surgery and Hand Surgery. Common procedures include a lower-body lift, medial thigh lift, tummy tuck, breast lift or arm lift. Insurance does not cover plastic surgery, which can range from about $10,000 to $15,000 per procedure.
After losing 95 pounds, Shelley Hughes ended up having skin removal surgery. “I took about three years to decide to do it. It was a total of 4 pounds removed.” The avid swimmer and stand-up paddle boarder explains, “I ended up doing it because I have to wear a wet suit, and the loose skin rubbed and was painful.”
Some women ultimately embrace their loose skin
We found many people opt to keep their saggy skin and happily live with it. Susan Mackey, who lost 116 pounds through gastric bypass surgery, has some loose skin on her arms, but she isn’t bothered by it. She just sees it as a sign of how far she’s come. She shares, “I went so many years not wearing sleeveless shirts. I wear them now!”
Natural ways to *prevent* loose skin from developing in the future
• Stay hydrated
Most people are sub-clinically dehydrated. But getting enough water helps nourish skin cells so they can fight against sagging and bounce back more plump and firm.
Javanna Buehler, who has lost 105 so far and continues to work toward her goal, says, “I’m losing it slowly so I’m doing it right. I’m drinking my water so my loose skin won’t really be as bad as I think it could be.” The best part about the process: She adds, “It’s about falling in love with your body and yourself again.”
Aim for 8+ glasses of water daily. And carry water with you on-the-go. One eco-friendly bottle we love, that fits in purses, is the Ocean Bottle, made from recycled stainless steel. Bonus: With each purchased cup, the equivalent of 1,000 plastic bottles are collected and diverted from the ocean and waste stream.
• Eat a healthy diet
Whole foods—those rich in healthy fats, tissue-repairing protein, and fruits and veggies loaded with vitamins, minerals and antioxidants—keep skin cells healthy and supple and ward off free radicals that can damage and age skin’s appearance. One mealtime approach to taste-test: These healthy-fat smoothies.
• Walk and practice strength training
Walking is a great exercise for keeping the body flexible and firm. Plus, adding weights can build muscles to give a toned, not deflated look. “Walking is the simplest workout, and anyone can do it,” says fitness legend Denise Austin. She shares that special walking moves like walking backward and walking up and down stairs can strengthen and tighten up legs during a weight loss journey.
This content is not a substitute for professional medical advice or diagnosis. Always consult your physician before pursuing any treatment plan.
