How To Tighten Skin After Weight Loss – 16 Tips

Weight loss is not an easy process. You have to be strong physically and mentally to achieve the targeted weight. But if your skin has become loose in the process, worry not. There are ways to tighten skin after weight loss. Your skin may sag and lose elasticity during rapid weight loss as it doesn’t get enough time for its shrinkage. However, the right practices can help. Continue reading to know how to keep the skin tight while losing weight.

Why Skin Gets Loose After Weight Loss?

Underneath the skin, there is a layer of fat, and below it, a layer of muscles is present. The loosening of the skin actually starts when you gain weight. To accommodate the new fat cells, your skin has to stretch. And when you lose a good amount of fat, the skin remains stretched, but there is empty space underneath the skin. This is the reason your skin becomes saggy.

Tightening your sagging skin post weight loss is achievable, but it will take time depending on your previous weight, current weight, age, and the period for which your skin remained stretched.

Barbara Kovalenko, a nutrition consultant, says, “Not everyone will experience loose skin after weight loss, as it depends on several factors, such as the person’s age, genetics, and amount of weight lost. Rapid weight loss can increase the risk of loose skin, as the skin may not have time to adjust to the changes in body shape.”

Learn more about these factors and how much time it might take to naturally get rid of loose skin in the next section.

How Long Does Loose Skin Take To Tighten?

The timeline for loose skin to tighten after weight loss varies from person to person. Generally, it may take several months to a few years to see significant improvements. Younger individuals often experience faster skin tightening due to better skin elasticity. Genetics too play a crucial role; some people naturally have more resilient skin than others (1).

In some instances, medical procedures such as surgery or non-invasive treatments may be considered for those with excessive loose skin. You can consult your healthcare professional for this. They can help you choose the most appropriate method that aligns with your goals and physical well-being. Your doctor may recommend making a few lifestyle changes that will help speed up the process of skin retraction instead of surgery or any non-invasive treatments. Anecdotal evidence suggests gradual weight loss through a balanced diet and regular exercise tends to result in better skin retraction compared to rapid, extreme weight loss.

Want to know how to get rid of loose skin after weight loss? Follow these tips to tighten your skin and look as attractive as ever.

Tips To Tighten Skin Post Weight Loss

1. Stay Hydrated
2. Slow Down Your Weight Loss
3. Eat Good
4. Strength Training
5. Tone Your Belly
6. Sea Salt Bath
7. Get A Body Massage
8. Seaweed Wrap
9. Moisturize
10. Say No To Sun
11. No Chlorine
12. Supplements
13. Sleep
14. Radiofrequency (RF) Technology
15. Surgery
16. No Smoking

1. Stay Hydrated

Drink 2 liters of water per day for optimal hydration. It will help tighten and smoothen your skin and flush out toxins. This natural detoxifier is an elixir for those who want to lose weight, tighten their skin post weight loss, and have a healthy body overall.

2. Slow Down Your Weight Loss

When you are following a restricted diet and working out to lose a few pounds, make sure that you lose weight slowly over a period. People often fall for unrealistic fad diet plans that may work intially, but definitely harm them in the long run. Eating nutrition-dense foods and doing proper and regular workouts are the key factors to lose fat and gain muscle. If you lose weight slowly, your skin gets time to shrink. Rapid weight loss doesn’t allow that, making you look older than you are.

3. Eat Good

While losing weight, make sure to include negative calorie foods in your diet. Eat foods such as kale, celery, broccoli, lean meat, fish, spinach, etc. It is necessary that you maintain a healthy diet even after you have shed a few pounds. Drink freshly pressed fruit juice without sugar. You should also have good carbs like veggies and whole grains and healthy fats like avocado, avocado oil, olive oil, and ghee. Make sure to practice portion control.

• Fruits

Local fruits are the best for your body. Every fruit has some amount of natural sugars, along with vitamins, minerals, and fiber, which support your overall health and help in tightening your skin post weight loss. You can eat berries, grapes, banana, papaya, kiwi, watermelon, musk melon, mango, orange, apple, etc. The best time to eat fruits is in the morning or right after working out. You can also juice the fruits or make mocktails and drink whenever you feel the urge to snack.

• Vegetables

Veggies are loaded with nutrients. Allow yourself to eat as many leafy green vegetables as you like! You can make a vegetable-wholegrain sandwich, salad, or juice. You can also throw in some turkey bacon, chicken breast, or fish along with the veggies to make your vegetable intake delightful. Heat makes the vitamins present in the vegetables inactive. Therefore, eating raw vegetables is the best. This ensures that your body gets all the nutrients in the pure form. Make sure you wash the vegetables properly before eating them raw.

However, if eating raw vegetables is difficult for you, consume a combination of cooked and raw meals. Cooking helps with the release and absorption of some nutrients.

• Protein

If you are a vegetarian, the main source of your dietary protein should be pulses, beans, soy, and nuts. If you are a non-vegetarian, along with vegetarian protein sources, you should opt for lean protein options such as fish, chicken breast, and turkey.

• Carbs And Fats

If you think completely cutting off carbs and fats is good for you, you are wrong. Your body is made up of water, proteins, carbohydrates, and fats (along with other chemicals). The cells are composed of fats and proteins. The better the health of your skin, the firmer it will be. Therefore, a measured fat intake will ensure good skin health. You should eat good carbs (such as multigrain or unpolished rice) and fats (clarified butter or cashew nuts) in measured proportions.

• Dairy

Dairy products like milk, cheese, yogurt, and buttermilk are a rich source of calcium, inorganic phosphate, and protein (2). These nourish and maintain the muscles and bones (3). You can either drink milk and have yogurt or apply them as body wraps or masks.

Eggs are rich in proteins and vitamins (4). Eat one whole egg every alternate day. You can also apply raw egg white on your skin to make your wrinkles and loose skin disappear.

4. Strength Training

If you have never tried strength training earlier, do it now. It will help rebuild the muscles that lie just below the skin and make your skin firm. Practice strength training or Calisthenics thrice a week, and you will start noticing a difference by the end of the second week. It is also important that you should increase your intake of calories if you are doing strength training. It will keep you energized, you will not feel weak, and it will help build lean muscle.

5. Tone Your Belly

When you lose a lot of weight suddenly from your belly area, the belly sags down. To make sure you don’t have a belly flap, tone your belly. Simple exercises such as leg lift, sit-ups, crunches, air biking, and side bridges will help you get a flat and toned belly. Try these exercises for about 15-20 minutes daily.

6. Sea Salt Bath

Sea salts work wonders when it comes to tightening and rejuvenating your skin. They help in blood circulation, which will make your skin firm and also make it glow. Sea salt baths are easily available in the market. You can use them with lukewarm water. Alternatively, you can also make your own scrub by mixing two tablespoons of sea salt, two tablespoons of white clay, two to three drops of mint oil, and a tablespoon of yogurt.

7. Get A Body Massage

Many people have reported that indulging in a body massage twice a week is the best way to tighten skin after weight loss. Upscaling your routine with proper skin care during weight loss can make a significant difference. You can get it done at a spa or do it at home. You can use an essential oil (mix it with a carrier oil) or simply mix coconut oil, dried and crushed rose petals, and a little camphor. Massage the problem area slowly and in circular motions. You can rub it off with a soft cloth. Alternatively, you can also take a hot water bath. Try this, it actually works!

A fitness blogger’s journey to tighten her sagging skin was a process of self-improvement and self-acceptance. She said, “The longer I stay lean the tighter the skin gets. I started using a derma roller with some serum at night before bed. I think it has helped tighten the skin a bit and the stretch marks have gotten lighter (i).”

8. Seaweed Wrap

This is one of the best and promising therapies to tighten your skin. Seaweeds contain compounds that help in detoxification, moisturizing, skin regeneration, and cellulite reduction. You can get a seaweed wrap at a spa or at home. Mix clay, essential oils, honey (if you have dry skin), seaweed, and hot water. Apply the paste all over your body and cover with a hot towel. Let your body take up all the goodness for about 20 minutes. Take a soft and moist cloth and gently rub off the paste. Then, take a hot water bath.

Quick Tip

Alternatively, you can also add one of your preferred oils, including olive or argan oil, to the DIY seaweed paste (long with a few drops of an essential oil).

9. Moisturize

Moisturizing will rehydrate, soften, smoothen, and tighten your skin. Use good moisturizer creams and serums available in the market or try natural remedies. You can use almond oil, coconut oil, or olive oil. Add clove oil or mint oil to get a cooling and calming effect. After applying the oil all over the problem area, soak for 10-15 minutes. Rub it off with a small dough of flour in a circular motion. You will experience a brightening and tightening effect immediately. Also, skin-tightening face masks are designed to help lift and firm the skin, making it appear younger. These masks often contain hyaluronic acid, collagen, or clay, which help to tone and tighten the skin. Regular application can lessen the visibility of wrinkles and fine lines and increase the skin’s elasticity.

10. Say No To The Sun

Your skin’s elasticity can deteriorate if you do not protect yourself from the harmful UV rays of the sun. Wear sunglasses and trendy hats or carry an umbrella. Always dab a sunscreen with high SPF on all the exposed areas 30 minutes prior to stepping out in the sun.

It is recommended to get around 20-30 minutes of direct sunlight daily to ensure optimal functioning of multiple body functions and hormonal cascades, including the production of serotonin and melatonin. If these are low, you are not going to be sleeping well feeling good or wanting to exercise. Additionally, the use of chemical sunscreen stresses the liver. When the liver cannot function optimally, weight is very difficult to lose. Hence, consider finding a physical zinc-based sunscreen.

11. No Chlorine

Chlorine makes your skin dry, and with time, your skin loses its elasticity. Elasticity is the determining factor whether or not you will be able to tighten your skin without surgery. Limit your swim time in the pool. You can swim in a nearby lake or sea. Also, always shower after swimming in a pool.

12. Supplements

The skin’s elasticity depends on collagen, a protein that strengthens the tendons and makes the skin smooth and firm. With age, the collagen production decreases. This can also happen due to alcohol intake, smoking, not eating right, less sleep, and exposure to sun and pollution. The only way to make up for the loss and maintain skin firmness is by incorporating healthy whole food eating practices. If that’s not an option, consider taking vitamin supplements. Vitamins A, C, E, K, and B-complex will nourish the skin, and the antioxidants will scavenge the reactive oxygen radicals. This will result in tighter, smoother, and brighter skin.

Note: Some of these supplements can be easily overdosed on e.g. Vitamin A. Hence, it is important to consult with your Registered Nutritionist or healthcare provider prior to any supplement protocol.

13. Sleep

Sleep plays a vital role when it comes maintaining skin health. When you feel good, you look good. If you do not sleep, your cells are constantly at work. Since you are in a weight loss mode, you would probably eat less as well. This is a deadly combination and can make your body cells deprived of nutrition and energy. Getting at least seven hours of sleep helps rejuvenate your cells to perform various functions properly, also contributing to great skin health.

14. Radiofrequency Technology

Still at an infant stage, using radiofrequency (RF) technology for skin tightening has gained much attention in the past few years. This technology allows contraction of collagen and formation of new collagen. This is another option to tighten your skin if you do not want to go for surgery. However, there are side effects associated with this technology. Consult your doctor to get expert advice.

Did You Know?

FDA approved the use of a monopolar radiofrequency technology for a wrinkle treatment in 2002 and a full face treatment in 2004 (5).

15. Surgery

Our skin’s elasticity declines as we age. Once stretched out to a point for many years, your skin cannot snap back to its original form. It is easier to tighten your loose skin after pregnancy or a little weight loss, but not if you have carried hundreds of pounds for many years and lost those pounds in a short time (liposuction). Therefore, the ideal candidate for plastic surgery to tighten loose skin is the one who has undergone liposuction to lose weight or has taken drastic measures to lose too much weight too quickly. Do keep in mind that even after plastic surgery, you can gain the weight back, and your skin will become loose again. Follow a proper diet and maintain a regular workout regimen to prevent that from happening. You can also opt for other non-invasive methods, such as ultrasound skin tightening or minimally invasive laser skin tightening.

16. No Smoking

Direct or passive smoking can dry your skin out, which ultimately impacts the elasticity of your skin negatively. As mentioned earlier, when your skin loses its elasticity, it is nearly impossible to restore it to its normal form. No matter how cool or how important it is, you just have to ditch this habit if you want to tighten your skin.

Infographic: Top 5 Natural Ways To Tighten Skin After Weight Loss

Losing weight suddenly may result in sagging skin. However, tightening the skin is not difficult if you follow the right steps. Though we have mentioned the important tips to make your skin firm and tight, the infographic below will help you find the best natural ways to do so. Check out the infographic to know more.

Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

Frequently Asked Questions

Does fasting help with loose skin?

According to Kovalenko, “Fasting alone is unlikely to have a significant impact on loose skin, as it is a result of the skin losing its elasticity and not having enough time to adapt to changes in body shape. However, fasting combined with other weight loss strategies, such as maintaining a healthy diet, exercise, and hydration, can help support skin health and promote overall weight loss.”

Will loose skin eventually tighten after weight loss?

Depends. Your skin will tighten on its own if you lose a little to moderate weight. Major weight reduction, on the other hand, may require medical interventions to tighten or remove loose skin.

Does caffeine help tighten skin after weight loss?

Anecdotal evidence suggests that caffeine may help tighten skin as it reduces cellulite.

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Reviewer Expert Author Editor Fact Checker

Jess WhartonAdvanced Dip Nutrition & HPN

   

Jess Wharton is Registered Nutritionist based in Auckland, New Zealand. She works with clients around the world to help them reach their health and wellness goals. She believes that food is medicine and proper nutrition is healing and essential for well-being and quality of life.

Read full bio of Jess Wharton

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  Barbara KovalenkoNutrition Consultant Barbara Kovalenko is a nutritional consultant with 4 years of experience in nutrition and mindful eating coaching. She earned her bachelor's degree in nutrition from Bogomolets National Medical University, Ukraine and master's degree from Boston University, USA.
  
  Barbara Kovalenko is a nutritional consultant with 4 years of experience in nutrition and mindful eating coaching. She earned her bachelor's degree in nutrition from Bogomolets National Medical University, Ukraine and master's degree from Boston University, USA.

Charushila BiswasHealth & Wellness Writer

 

Charushila is an ISSA certified Fitness Nutritionist and a Physical Exercise Therapist. Over a span of 6 years, she has authored more than 400 articles on diet, lifestyle, exercises, healthy food, and fitness equipment. She strives to inform, educate, and motivate her readers via authentic, straightforward, and fact-checked information.

Read full bio of Charushila Biswas

Arshiya SyedaCo-Editor-in-Chief

Arshiya Syeda is the Co-Editor-in-Chief of StyleCraze with 8 years of experience. Prior to that, she was a content writer who combined her writing and research skills to write over 200 high-performing articles on hairstyles, hair care, and skin care.

Read full bio of Arshiya Syeda

Sindhu KogantiSenior Health & Wellness Writer

Sindhu Koganti is a Certified Health and Nutrition Life Coach and has over 6 years of experience in writing on health and wellness topics. She has a bachelor’s degree in biotechnology from Acharya Nagarjuna University, Guntur, and a diploma in nutrition from Fab Academy.

Read full bio of Sindhu Koganti