Keeping Skin Firm Through Weight Loss
Nothing feels better than losing that extra weight you had been carrying around. It truly feels like a burden has been lifted from your shoulders. However, those of us who have lost a substantial amount of weight in the past know there are some less than pleasant side effects that come along with our joy. Namely, when you lose fat, you can be left with loose skin in its place. Typically, loose skin is linked to rapid weight loss. About 70% of those who undergo bariatric surgery are left with excessive skin. The loose skin does not necessarily present itself only after weight loss, however. Loose skin can actually be caused by the weight gain that happened before the loss. Your skin only has a certain amount of elasticity, and if you push your skin beyond the limit of its elasticity by gaining weight, the skin loses some of its ability to contract after the weight is lost. Check out some of our best tips for how to keep your skin as tight as possible while still losing weight:
- Build muscle.
Focusing on strength training while you are losing weight will allow your body to replace the fat that was once in the skin with muscle. While it might take some time for your skin to catch up, the end result will be a beautiful, toned body. When muscle under the skin is toned and tight, it gives your skin a strong foundation and lessens the appearance of loose, saggy skin. Furthermore, building strength will keep your skin feeling tight and help you lose even more weight, so it’s a win-win!
- Lose the weight gradually.
This technique will be beneficial in multiple ways because losing weight gradually is the healthiest way to do it and it gives your body the best chance at long-term results. Generally, this means losing between one to five pounds a week, but this number will depend on your current fitness level and the results you are trying to create.
- Make sure you are getting your vitamins and produce.
Antioxidants are great for your skin and can help negate some of the damages of UV rays. A good rule of thumb when it comes to looking for the best antioxidants is to look for the colorful fruits and vegetables that contain plenty of vitamin A. For example, red peppers and tomatoes are two delicious pieces of produce that are beneficial for your skin.
- Protect your skin from the sun.
If you are experiencing your skin sagging due to weight loss, excessive sun exposure will only hurt the situation. We recommend protecting your skin from the sun’s harmful UV rays by lathering on sunscreen with an SPF of 50 or more. This will allow you to enjoy your new body in the sun without worrying too much about its damaging effects.
- Drink plenty of water and avoid smoking.
Water does wonders for the body, and your skin is no exception. If you are dehydrated, your skin cells will experience the consequences. You should drink about half of your body weight in ounces of water each day. Smoking is another activity we recommend avoiding if you are looking to improve the elasticity of your skin. Smoking makes your skin less resilient and has inflammatory factors that will not help in your fight for beautiful skin.
To learn about skin tightening treatments from Soza Weight Loss, call us at (504) 475-9817 or contact us online.