Loose Skin After Weight Loss? Treatment Options and Prevention

A fairly common side effect of losing weight is loose skin, or "saggy skin." In fact, more than 70% of people who have weight-loss surgery experience it. While this is normal, it does provide a unique set of discomforts.

Loose skin can be painful because it can tug at you or irritate your skin by rubbing against you. It can also wear on you mentally and increase your self-consciousness. Excess skin can even interfere with exercise and physical activity. So, while weight management encourages people to exercise, a result of loose skin is not exactly desirable.

Getting rid of excess, loose skin may involve surgery, but there are some less-invasive methods you can try as well.

How You Get Loose Skin

Loose skin can be a side effect of a few lifestyle habits—it's not strictly associated with weight loss. Here are the main reasons individuals may find themselves with loose skin.

Preventing Lose Skin

There are a few ways to prevent loose skin that coincide with the reasons listed above. First, if you smoke, quit. Make your home a smoke-free zone so you're not exposed to it. Consult your healthcare professional about quitting.

Wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen of at least SPF 15 to protect your skin from the sun's harmful rays, even if it's cloudy outside. Apply 30 minutes before going outside and reapply every two hours.

Coping With Loose Skin After Weight Loss

Excess, loose skin after weight loss is common, but there are things you can do to cope.

Exercise

No scientific studies on humans prove exercise can reduce loose skin. However, an increase in muscle could help improve the appearance of excess skin. Studies show physical activity can positively impact individuals' self-esteem, which may help decrease feelings of self-consciousness regarding loose skin.

Compression Garments

You may have seen athletes wearing compression garments while playing sports or at the gym. They can help after weight loss, too. Compression clothing prevents rashes and infections by making the loose, excess skin doesn't rub against other skin. Try powder to help with chafing, as well.

Supplements

Studies show skin proteins decrease after weight loss. A collagen supplement can help improve the skin's collagen production, improving hydration and firming sagging skin. Look for a collagen peptides supplement, which can be found in pill or powder form.

Vitamin C helps with collagen production and is essential for skin health. The best way to get more is to take a supplement with vitamin C and vitamin E.

One study showed that fermented papaya extract, taken with a supplement containing vitamin C, vitamin E, selenium, and trans-resveratrol improved overall skin health.

Radiofrequency Treatment

Radiofrequency (RF) treatment is a non-surgical way to treat loose skin using heat from a high-frequency alternating current to stimulate collagen production.

RF has become popular because there is no downtime or scarring. In addition, you could see an improvement in the skin's tone and firmness. Just because the treatment is growing in popularity doesn't mean you should immediately try it. Consult a certified medical professional who uses an FDA-approved device before trying RF.

A Word From Verywell

Excess skin after weight loss is incredibly common, but there are ways to treat it. Ultimately, what's important is how you feel in your body; consult a medical professional before embarking on any treatment plan for loose skin.