The best way to manage overweight or obesity is to lose
weight but if it is major weight loss, the results will include loose skin. For
many people, having loose skin may be so discomforting that it interferes with
their quality of life.
What causes loose skin after weight loss?
Remember that your skin is the largest organ in your body.
The reason your skin can become loose after weight loss is because of the
damage your skin’s collagen, elastin and other elasticity-enabling components
get when your skin stretches during significant weight gain or pregnancy. So,
after losing weight, your skin often loses its ability to retract.
Factors that influence the loss of skin elasticity
The factors that cause your skin to lose its elasticity
during weight changes include age, genetics, amount of weight lost, smoking,
and the length of time your skin has supported your excess weight.
Remedies to tighten loose skin
Here are some of the remedies that may help improve skin
strength and elasticity for people who gained weight and have lost small to
moderate chunks of the body mass.
Perform
resistance training
If you want to improve loose skin, build muscle mass. To do that,
engage in regular strength training and with time, your loose skin will turn to
muscle skin worth having. This strategy works for both young and older adults.
Take
certain nutrients (diet) and stay hydrated
There are specific nutrients that are important for producing
collagen and other components that promote healthy skin:
·
Protein: Consuming
enough proteins helps your skin to be healthy. The amino acids lysine and
proline are directly helpful in collagen production.
·
Omega-3
fatty acids: They are found in fatty fish and help in increasing
skin elasticity and anti-aging effects.
·
Vitamin C: Vitamin
C is required for collagen synthesis and protection of the skin from sun
damage.
·
Water: Did
you know that drinking enough water every day for better hydration is one way
to boost your skin’s appearance? One study revealed that women who drink lots
of water daily have better skin hydration and function. Such skin fights away
skin looseness.
Use firming
creams
Collagen and elastin are included in the content of many “firming”
creams.
Temporarily, these creams may slightly improve your skin’s
tightness as collagen and elastin molecules are too large for your skin to
absorb.
Compression
Clothing
If someone with loose skin wears compression clothing, it can
help conceal and also prevent certain side effects of the loose skin. For
example, compression stockings and other garments can minimize friction provoked
by skin-to-skin contact. This helps to reduce pain, itching, irritation and the
risk of infection.
Slower
weight loss
While losing skin slowly is not always an option (especially for
people who have done bariatric surgery), it can still be the best option for preventing loose
skin from even showing up.
Body
contouring surgery
People with loose skin can go for contouring procedures which
can be undertaken alongside liposuction. They involve removing fat and tightening
the skin, but for all but mild cases of excess skin. However, these medical
procedures are many but may not fully address the problem.
Conclusion
The best home remedy begins with taking good care of your
skin by avoiding smoking, ultraviolet rays from the sun, reducing alcohol
consumption and increasing a fruit-vegetable-rich diet and foods low in sugar
and saturated fats. But always check the pros and cons of the loose skin remedy
you have chosen before going for it.
0 Comments