Rapid weight loss can cause sagging skin

By Angela Young 14 months ago

While weight loss always feels amazing, sudden weight loss can leave your skin ravaged. Sagging skin can be difficult, uncomfortable and embarrassing thing to deal with. If you watch shows like The Biggest Loser you see massive amounts of weight loss in a short period of time and while every body is different, you can also see where arms, stomachs and legs just don't bounce back.

Causes

There are a variety of reasons you may have sagging skin after you lose weight. These can include genetics, loss of elasticity, age, weak muscles and over-stretching. Though rapid weight loss is something we all want to see, a slow progressive weight loss is best for the skin. The older you are the more elasticity your skin has lost which means it won't bounce back as quickly. 

Pregnancy

Another cause of sagging skin is pregnancy. Even with all other pre-disposers out of the picture you can come away from pregnancy with a saggy post-partum body. The extra stretching breaks down the skin and combined with weight gain can prevent it from shrinking efficiently.

Sun Exposure

Sun exposure both in the past and present can also effect sagging skin. Prolonged sun exposure causes the skin cells to break down and damage your skin. This keeps your skin from rejuvenating the way it's supposed to. You should always wear at least SPF15 even on cloudy days. If you live in a hot, dry area make sure you're skin is getting plenty of moisture. Use lightweight formulas to avoid trapping in oil and cause acne or skin rashes. If you suffer from dry skin, work with your dermatologist to put together a regime to treat and protect your skin from sun exposure.

Low Fluids

You know how important it is to get in plenty of fluides, but your fluid intake can also influence how well your skin bounces back from weight loss. When your skin is well-hydrated it's able to produce skin cells and tissue much more effectively. Fluids also help keep your skin firm.

Excess Weight

Depending on how much weight you have to lose or have lost and how quickly you lose it can be the biggest factor in sagging skin. Also take into consideration how long you've been overweight as that will show you how long your skin has been overstretched and strained. The longer your skin has been stretched out the greater your chance of sagging skin. Because age has a biggest presence in sagging skin, if you experience your rapid weight loss later in life you'll be more likely to see sagging skin as well.

How to Prevent Sagging Skin

The best remedy for sagging skin is to slow your weight loss to a level your skin can keep up with, generally 1-2 per week. Also work with your trainer to establish a strength training routine designed to help you build muscle under the areas where you're most likely to experience sagging skin. Work with your nutritionists to ensure you're getting enough fluids and nutrients that can help your keep and build healthy skin cells.

Rapid weight loss can cause sagging skin but you may not be able to do much about it. There are options, such as surgery, where you can work to help the skin renew itself. The best option is to work with a personal trainer to help build up the muscles beneath the sagging skin and a dermatologist on the treatment methods they think may help you.