Embarking on a weight loss journey is a big decision, one that requires a lot of determination and focus, especially considering results won’t be visible overnight. It also requires you to consider loose skin, as it’s something that a lot of people have to deal with when they lose weight, especially if a lot of weight is lost in a relatively short period of time. It’s a side effect, but one that can be worked on. Though it’s impossible to completely avoid loose skin after weight loss, there are things that you can do to prevent it, as well as things that you can do to improve existing sagging skin.
What Causes Loose Skin After Weight Loss?
Understanding the mechanisms behind loose skin is important, as it’s something that often occurs after weight loss, especially when the weight is lost quickly and the skin doesn’t have sufficient time to adapt. Factors such as age, genetics and collagen levels play pivotal roles in skin elasticity, which means that anyone can be faced with loose skin after losing weight.
Your skin is made up of elastin and collagen, both of which keep skin looking firm, strong and somewhat stretchy. With collagen and elastin fibres, your skin can stretch without tearing, even if you grow or gain weight. However, these fibres are weakened with old age and changes in weight, which makes it hard for them to return to their previous state. If rapid weight loss occurs, the fibres shrink and contract, but they do so too quickly and this can result in loose or excessive skin.
This is also the case as you age, as younger skin has the ability to stretch and contract a lot better than older skin does. If you lose a lot of weight when you are older, you are more likely to find that loose skin appears, simply because the collagen and elastin fibres are less able to shrink and contract.
How Much Weight Loss Causes Loose Skin?
There is no set answer for this question, as a lot of it depends on a person’s individual skin and how much collagen, elastin and ‘stretch’ it has. Typically, a small amount of weight loss won’t lead to loose skin. You can usually lose a small amount of weight, knowing that your skin will contract and shrink back successfully. But, the risk of loose skin increases as more and more weight is lost. Larger amounts of weight loss – for example, if you lose two or three stones, or more – is a lot more likely to cause noticeably looser skin.
Can Loose Skin Be Prevented?
Though you can’t prevent loose skin completely, there are certain strategies that can minimise the risk. Gradual weight loss, proper hydration and incorporating exercise into your routine can help to preserve skin elasticity during the weight loss process.
- Stay Hydrated – One of the most important things that you can do when losing weight is to drink a lot of water. You need to drink enough water, as hydrated and healthy skin will find it a lot easier to stay stretchy and elastic as you lose weight.
- Do Some Exercise – There’s a high chance that exercise will be part of your weight loss journey, but it’s also a good way to reduce the chances of loose skin appearing. Resistance and weight experiences, along with cardio, can help to keep your body lean, toned and free from sagging.
- Lose Weight Slowly – By giving your body time to adjust to the weight loss, it’s a lot easier for skin to contract successfully. One of the main causes of loose skin is skin not having the time to successfully contract, which can result in sagging and the appearance of excess skin.
- Have a Balanced Diet – As well as being a key part of losing weight, having a balanced diet also helps to reduce loose and sagging skin. Vitamins A, E and C, along with Omega 3, can all help to boost the elasticity of your skin.
Though it’s impossible to prevent loose skin completely, especially if you have lost a lot of weight or are in the process of losing a lot of weight, it’s important to give your skin everything it needs to keep its elasticity
Factors That Contribute to Loose Skin
There are a range of factors that contribute to loose skin including age, genetics, sun exposure and the overall health of your skin. Recognising these factors, and knowing how to change them, can help you to make informed decisions on your weight loss journey.
- Losing a lot of weight rapidly, and not giving skin the chance to contract and shrink.
- Smoking, or having a history of smoking.
- Age, as skin loses elasticity as you get older.
- Overall health, as healthy skin finds it easier to change as you lose or gain weight.
- Genetics, such as having a family history of sagging skin.
How to Improve Loose Skin After Weight Loss
Luckily, if you are already dealing with loose skin, help is available. Practical steps such as maintaining a balanced diet, staying hydrated and engaging in targeted exercises can help to tighten loose skin, as can PlasmaPen treatment. PlasmaPen is an innovative and versatile device that works in a variety of ways to improve the appearance of skin. This includes tightening loose skin and sagging skin, such as problems caused by weight loss. With PlasmaPen, you can lose weight, knowing that something can be done to improve the appearance of your skin.
To find out more about PlasmaPen and treatment for loose skin, get in touch with our helpful team.
