Losing weight through diet and exercise is a great way to maintain good health. However, significant weight loss can result in sagging skin in areas such as the arms and abdomen. Are there ways to get rid of sagging skin? Check out the following article.

Causes of sagging skin after weight loss

After successfully achieving your desired weight, you may face the new challenge of sagging skin due to drastic weight loss. This condition results from the breakdown of collagen and elastin fibers in the skin as a result of weight changes.

The deepest layer of the skin is composed of proteins, collagen, and elastin. Collagen makes up 80% of the skin's structure, providing firmness and strength, while elastin keeps the skin tight. When you gain weight, the skin expands to accommodate the additional weight. Over time, collagen and elastin fibers deteriorate.

When you lose weight, you may not have enough protein to regain your original shape. As a result, the skin loses firmness and tends to hang loosely from the body. The more drastic your weight loss, the more noticeable the sagging skin.

Sagging skin does not pose a health risk, but it can cause self-consciousness. Other unpleasant side effects include rubbing, painful and itchy rashes, and bacterial infections in the skin folds.

How to get rid of sagging skin after weight loss

In mild cases, sagging skin can be treated with self-care at home. These treatments take time, and the results might not be visible for several weeks or months. They may also fail to fully address or improve the underlying cause of sagging skin.

Some ways that you can try to help with sagging skin include:

Strength training

Regular strength training can help you maintain your weight and build healthy muscles. It can also help with sagging skin by creating new muscles to fill in loose skin spaces.

Maintain your diet

Your skin's condition is also affected by the nutrition you consume. Eat foods high in lean protein, vitamin C, and omega-3 fatty acids to improve skin elasticity and prevent aging. Drink plenty of water to keep your skin looking healthy and elastic.

Collagen

Oral collagen supplements can help improve skin moisture and elasticity. You can also consume collagen-rich foods like bone broth, green vegetables, nuts, and fruits.

Another collagen product that can help is collagen cream. When applied to sagging areas, it can help tighten the skin. However, more research is needed to determine the efficacy of firming creams in treating sagging skin.

Medical procedures

To remove excess skin and fat from your body, you could undergo a medical procedure that tightens the skin and improves the shape of the remaining tissues. This procedure will be performed by a plastic surgeon and requires a recovery period of up to several months. Not everyone is suitable for this procedure, so consult with your doctor about the appropriate medical procedure for your condition.

Sagging skin after weight loss usually appears on the arms, abdomen, and thighs. Although not dangerous, this condition may cause you to lose confidence. If you have problems with sagging skin, see a doctor.

If you need medical advice or consultation, you can either visit a doctor or make use of the consultation features that are available in the Ai Care application by downloading the Ai Care application from the App Store or Play Store.

Looking for more tips and health tricks, first aid, and home remedies? Check here!