Loose or saggy skin can be a result of genetics, but usually, skin laxity is attributed to sun exposure and oxidative stress over time. As we age, the dermis produces less collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid. As a result, strength, elasticity and hydration are taxed and the skin becomes thinner and more lax.
For small to moderate amounts of weight loss, your skin will likely retract on its own. Natural home remedies may help too. However, more significant weight loss may need body-contouring surgery or other medical procedures to tighten or get rid of loose skin.
It may help prevent skin sagging
When your collagen levels begin to drop, your skin may begin to sag. Applying a vitamin C serum may boost collagen production, resulting in an overall tightening effect, reports a 2017 review .
The deterioration or reduction of collagen and elastin in the dermis are another cause of saggy skin. While anyone can get saggy skin, it's more likely to occur in people as they age. People who have lost significant amounts of weight are also more susceptible. Certain medical conditions may also be the cause.
In most cases loose skin is actually just cases of excess subcutaneous body fat covered by skin. Because subcutaneous fat is "soft" fat, it is looser, or jiggly, and easier to confuse with skin. In some cases of major weight loss, as you get leaner, it can be quite stubborn to lose this remaining fat.
Type I collagen is usually considered best for the skin. It is the most abundant type of collagen in the body. It maintains healthy bones, skin, hair and nails.
The amount of weight that has been lost: Fat loss of 100 lbs (46 kg) or more is associated with excess loose skin than weight reduction of fewer than 100 lbs (46 kg). Exposure to the sun: Skin elastin and collagen production have been proven to be reduced by prolonged sun exposure, which may result in loose skin.
Most people notice subtle lifting and tightening within 2–6 months of their first treatment and report more significant results with additional treatments.
When you lose or gain weight, you effectively stretch or shrink your skin. By reducing the fat that keeps skin stretched out, you will also weaken the elasticity of the skin temporarily, so that post weight-loss skin may appear loose and flabby.
The takeaway. “Skinny fat” is a term that refers to having a relatively high percentage of body fat and a low amount of muscle mass, despite having a “normal” BMI. People of this body composition may be at a heightened risk of developing diabetes and heart disease.
Skin noticeably starts to lose its elasticity in your 30s to 40s and particularly in the first five years of menopause when women's skin loses around 30% of its collagen.
Coconut oil has amazing skin tightening properties. You can use it to tighten the skin on your stomach. What you need to do is massage your skin with coconut oil before going to sleep daily. Gently heat a tablespoon of coconut oil and use it to massage your belly skin in circular motions.
“And free radicals are the big culprits that destroy collagen, and therefore, lead to the appearance of lines and wrinkles.” For an antioxidant serum adored by AW – and dermatologists, for that matter – try SkinCeuticals CE Ferulic.
Of course, you can't reverse the signs of aging completely. You can go the nonsurgical route and add firming creams or facial exercises to your skincare routine. There are also cosmetic procedures that provide quicker results, such as laser surfacing or ultrasound skin tightening.
The biggest changes typically occur when people are in their 40s and 50s, but they can begin as early as the mid-30s and continue into old age. Even when your muscles are in top working order, they contribute to facial aging with repetitive motions that etch lines in your skin.
Retinol (vitamin A) is the most frequently used ingredient in anti-aging creams. But tretinoin, another form of vitamin A, may be the most effective ingredient to firm the skin on your neck and face.
For example, eating too much sugar and processed carbohydrates (like pasta, bread, and baked goods) can lead to damage in your skin's collagen, which keeps your skin springy and resists wrinkles, says Andrea Giancoli, MPH, RD.
In a new paper published in Nature, a research team found that a collagen protein called COL17A1 plays a key role in maintaining youthful skin. Declining levels of this protein over time cause our skin to develop wrinkles, sag, and lose its elasticity, according to the paper.
But what if you're left with sagging skin or stretch marks? If an elastic band is over-stretched repeatedly or for a long period of time, it loses its elasticity. Our skin acts in the same way – if our weight yo-yo's up and down, or following pregnancy, we can be left with sagging, wrinkly or loose skin.
Loose skin on the stomach area could be due to reduced body mass. Resistance and strength training exercises such as squats, planks, leg raises, deadlifts, and bicycle crunches help you create a defined belly area. Tighten your belly skin with massages and scrubs.