Let's Talk About Loose Skin
Can it be Treated Without Surgery?
“Loose skin,” “excess skin,” “crepey skin,” and “lax skin”… all of these descriptors refer to the same issue. A sagging appearance to the skin that doesn’t seem to go away despite our hard work.
The cause?
This is a common experience following significant weight loss, pregnancy, or as you age and the skin naturally loses its elasticity.
Can it be treated non-surgically?
The short answer: sometimes.
Following my 130-lb loss, many people did not seem to understand why I couldn’t fix the loose skin on my arms by going to the gym. It was quite frustrating to have to explain again and again, and I even received a comment about “taking the easy way” by undergoing brachioplasty surgery.
The simple truth is that you can go to the gym and weight train as many days a week as you like, but once your skin is stretched beyond capacity, it will not return to its original state.
*In the above photo, my before was after 11 months of weight training.
You can certainly minimize the appearance of that sagging, and you do have the option to essentially “fill” that surface area with muscle (a lot of muscle - think Chyna from the WWE!), but unfortunately, if you’re looking for it to return to that pre-stretched/pre-weight gain point, that’s usually not possible.
Are there exceptions?
The two most crucial factors are how much the skin was stretched and how long it remained that way. Age, genetics, and diet can also play a role.
In my case, I had spent the majority of my life, childhood well into adulthood, with a serious weight problem. Losing weight, even at a slow pace over the course of a few years, did nothing to aid in the elasticity already lost.
Another myth debunked! “Lose it slow and give your skin a chance to catch up!”
Well, that didn’t happen.
Today, non-surgical methods are available that can tone and tighten less significant stretching in many different areas of the body, including the face and neck.
Radiofrequency treatments, with or without microneedling, can be very helpful. They work by producing heat under the skin’s surface, increasing collagen and elastin fibers. This is an excellent treatment to get before an event because you will see a temporary improvement, but keep in mind that lasting change will require ongoing sessions.
Cryotherapy (using cold) can also temporarily tighten the skin by stimulating collagen, constricting blood vessels, and improving circulation. This is another reason why cold plunges and ice baths have really soared in popularity recently.
Does skincare play a role?
While a proper skincare regime may not completely reverse the effects of long-term weight issues or advanced age, caring for your skin will always result in at least minor improvements.
Of utmost importance will be keeping the skin hydrated and moisturized! Chances are you’ve seen one of those “before and after” images tied to ads trying to sell you something (without a single study to back up any claims). The skin on the left is always wrinkly and loose, and the skin on the right is taught and healthy looking. Well, that’s no miracle cure. It’s hydration. The “before” is simply dehydrated skin, while the after is nourished. That’s all it is. My apologies again to the TikTok shop promoters…
As for skincare products, there may be a few options. I wouldn’t expect major change (again, depending on if the skin is even capable of recovering), but you can look for skincare products with the following ingredients:
Retinol: stimulates collagen production in damaged or aged skin.
Hyaluronic Acid: retains moisture and plumps the skin, reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
Vitamin C: accelerates the production of collagen and elastin
Peptides: stimulates collagen production, improves skin elasticity, and reduces the appearance of wrinkles
Coconut Oil: promotes collagen production, while fatty acids moisturize and nourish the skin
Caffeine: improves skin elasticity, texture, and tone by stimulating blood flow
Shea Butter, Ceramides, and Squalane: all hydrate the skin
Loose skin is far from the end of the world. I know it is tough to get used to a new, looser “you” staring back at you in the mirror, but there are ultimately always options to try and reverse the effects of stretched skin.
While surgery is the most effective option, it’s not for everyone. If you don’t want your skin removed, consistent treatment over a long period of time is your best bet. Be persistent, and you may just see some results.
If you’d like to discuss treating loose or saggy skin, I’d love to help you find a product or regime that fits your lifestyle. To get started, fill out my online skin analysis and let me know where your problem areas are. Then, we can get to work!