So, you’ve done it! You finally lost the excess weight that was troubling you, and now you feel stronger and healthier than ever. Succeeding in a weight-loss journey is no easy feat, and you should feel proud of how far you’ve come.

Unfortunately, if you lose weight very quickly (such as with the aid of a medication like semaglutide), you may now be facing a new trouble: loose skin. This is a common problem among people who lose a large amount of weight (i.e., 100 pounds or more), particularly among older adults as the skin has lost its stretchy ability. However, don’t despair–there are some natural and medicinal options you can try to improve your skin’s elasticity and help it return to its former shape.

If you’re concerned that you have loose skin, there’s an easy test to try. Sometimes, what people think of as loose skin is actually just soft fat. If you can pinch more than an inch or two of skin together or stretch it further than two inches away from your abdomen, it’s probably loose.

Causes of Loose Skin

The skin is the largest organ in the body, and it is affected by your health in a myriad of ways. Taking proper care of it can result in soft, glowy skin even as you age, but neglecting it may result in a dull appearance, acne, increased scarring, or a host of other issues.

Fortunately, skin is highly resilient and can adapt to its circumstances. When you gain weight, your skin gradually stretches out over time to cover the expanded areas. It also does the opposite by shrinking during gradual weight loss, but it’s less adept at this than it is at stretching. There are a few common reasons your skin may not return to its former form after significant weight loss.

Losing weight rapidly, which often happens to those who use medication, undergo bariatric surgery, or try unhealthy starvation diets, can result in skin that doesn’t have time to properly shrink back down. It may appear saggy, wrinkly, or dangly on the body. When skin is stretched out during weight gain, the collagen and elastin fibers can become damaged, preventing it from maintaining the necessary firmness to contract.

Your skin’s composition can also be affected by other factors, including diet, age, genetics, smoking history, and more. Additionally, losing muscle mass may result in gaps between your skin and inner tissues.

Are There Health Problems Associated With Loose Skin?

Some people aren’t affected by loose skin, but others may experience associated side effects or discomforts.

These may include:

• Infections: Excess skin can be difficult to keep clean, which may allow for the accumulation of bacteria. This can lead to an infection, which may enter the body if the skin tears.
• Rashes: Sweat and dirt can become trapped in skin folds, creating irritation and rashes.
• Odor: The buildup of sweat combined with the difficulty of cleaning excess skin may create odors.
• Discomfort: Loose skin can make it difficult to find clothes that fit comfortably, and it may also be painful to deal with during movement and exercise.
• Chafing: Skin that rubs against itself or clothing can become chafed, creating sores or red skin.
• Deteriorating body image: Losing weight is a significant achievement that often boosts self-esteem, but loose skin can negatively impact any benefits.

Will My Loose Skin Go Away on Its Own?

People who lose small or moderate amounts of weight will likely have skin that contracts back into its former place. However, people who lose large amounts, such as 100 pounds or more, are less likely to experience this. With time, particularly if you build muscle, some of the skin may eventually shrink.

If you’ve been battling with loose skin for more than a year or two, it may be time to try treatment.

Home Remedies for Loose Skin

At-home treatments aren’t as effective as medical intervention for excess amounts of saggy skin, but they can help you make small improvements, particularly if you don’t have very much to contend with.

Many home remedies are lifestyle changes that must be done regularly for results, but others are a little easier to incorporate into your daily routine. You can try the following to see if your loose skin shows signs of improvement:

Exercise 

Exercising and moving regularly is one of the best things you can do to tackle excess skin. If you’ve been following a healthy weight-loss routine, you may already be doing this every week. Keep it up! Building muscle will help give the skin something new to stretch over that’s not fat.

Eat a Healthy Diet 

Eating a healthy diet with plenty of protein boosts muscle building, which will help with loose skin. Additionally, be sure to stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water, as hydrated skin is able to stay more flexible and firm than dehydrated skin.

Take Collagen

Some studies have demonstrated that taking collagen hydrolysate may directly improve skin elasticity and texture. You can purchase it in powder form at natural health stores. Taking it with other supplements, such as vitamin C and biotin, may increase its effectiveness.

Medical Remedies for Loose Skin

Medical treatments are typically more expensive and invasive than home remedies, but they are often much more effective. The procedures have become more common in recent years, and you can talk to your doctor about whether or not you’d be a good candidate for one of these options.

Body Contouring 

Body contouring is a procedure done by plastic surgeons to remove fat and smaller amounts of excess skin. There are several types of body contouring surgeries, including abdominoplasty (tummy tuck), Brachioplasty (arm lift), lower body lifts, medial thigh lifts, and upper body lifts. In some cases, a patient may need to undergo two or more of these surgeries to tackle the body’s loose skin fully.

A hospital stay of 1-4 nights is usually needed since the patient must undergo general anesthesia. Recovery typically takes about four weeks.

Radiofrequency 

There are other choices available for people who don’t want surgical intervention. However, it’s important to note that these work best on people with smaller amounts of loose skin.

One such option is known as radiofrequency, which uses a combination of infrared light, suction, and radiofrequency to massage the skin and fat cells under the surface. This can help stimulate collagen production. Another version of radiofrequency involves using it to heat tissue under the skin to allow it to contract. It can take several months to see results from radiofrequency.

If you’re ready to tackle your loose skin, consult with your doctor. They can help you determine if you’re at a good stage in your weight loss journey to begin treatment. Keep in mind that this is a common problem and not something you did wrong. If your loose skin isn’t bothering you, you may not be interested in medical procedures. However, if you’re having recurring troubles like rashes or infections, it could be time to seek additional help.

Note: The content on this page is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be professional medical advice. Do not attempt to self-diagnose or prescribe treatment based on the information provided. Always consult a physician before making any decision on the treatment of a medical condition.