You’ve smashed your weight loss gloss - congrats! It’s not easy shedding those kilos and embracing a healthier lifestyle.
But now, you’re facing a new hurdle: loose, saggy skin on your stomach. It's a common frustration for many who have experienced significant weight loss, and it can leave you feeling less confident about your newly transformed body.
But don't despair! While loose skin is a natural consequence of weight loss, there are steps you can take to tighten and tone your stomach skin. This guide offers insights into skin tightening treatments on the stomach and post-weight loss.
Why Does Skin Become Loose After Weight Loss?
Loose skin is common after significant weight loss due to stretching. Before losing weight, your skin stretches to accommodate the increased body mass. This stretching process involves two key proteins: collagen and elastin.
Collagen provides structural support and strength, while elastin allows the skin to stretch and bounce back.
Age, genetics, and rapid weight loss also contribute to loose skin on the stomach. Generally, rapid weight loss leaves less time for the skin to gradually adjust.
Naturally, some are predisposed to having less elastic skin, while younger people tend to have more collagen and elastin.
1. Strength Training
Though it will not eliminate loose skin on your stomach, strength training helps you build muscle through resistance exercises. You can fill out the space once occupied by fat with muscles, creating a firmer, more toned appearance.
Focus on exercises that target your abdominal muscles, such as planks, crunches, leg raises, and Russian twists.
Aim for 2-3 strength training sessions per week, gradually increasing the intensity and duration as you get stronger. Don't forget to consult a fitness professional to ensure you're using proper form and technique to avoid injuries.
2. Professional Skin Tightening Treatments
Professional skin tightening treatments offer a faster and more targeted approach to loose stomach skin. These treatments use advanced technologies that stimulate collagen production, tightening existing collagen fibres, and promote skin regeneration.
Here are a few popular options to consider:
Laser Skin Tightening
Laser Skin Tightening Treatments heat energy deep into the skin, causing collagen fibres to contract and tighten. This can result in immediate skin tightening, with continued improvement over time as new collagen is produced. Results are noticeable in 3 months after 4-6 treatment sessions.
Ultrasound Therapy
Similar to RF therapy, Ultrasound Therapy or high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) uses sound waves to heat the deeper layers of skin. Ultrasound targets the skin’s SMAs layer.
These waves produced heat within the target tissue, without harming the skin’s surface. Over time, as the new collagen builds up, the skin gradually becomes tighter, firmer, and more lifted.
3. Surgical Procedures
In some cases where loose skin is severe, surgical procedures like a tummy tuck or abdominoplasty can be an option. This involves removing excess skin and tightening the remaining skin for a more contoured abdomen.
However, surgery is a more invasive option with a longer recovery time and potential risks.
4. Long-Term Lifestyle Changes
Professional treatments and targeted skincare can work wonders but don’t underestimate the power of long-term lifestyle changes.
Maintain a stable weight after achieving your weight loss goals. Yo-yo dieting and fluctuations can wreak havoc on your skin’s elasticity.
Aim for a sustainable weight just enough to keep you energised for any form of physical activity, while maintaining your desired figure.
Additionally, a diet rich in protein is crucial for skin health. Protein provides the building blocks for collagen, a protein that gives skin its firmness and structure.
Incorporating lean protein sources like chicken, fish, beans, and tofu into your meals can support collagen production and contribute to tightening skin.
5. Don’t Forget To Hydrate
Besides quenching your thirst, staying hydrated is also pivotal in skin elasticity and overall health.
This review discovered that increased water intake can contribute to gradual weight loss, which in turn can help reduce the amount of loose skin.
Additionally, water makes your skin cells plump and hydrated. If the water is a bit too bland for you, don’t worry. Fruits like watermelon, cucumbers, and leafy greens have high water content and are a tasty way to get your recommended daily H2O intake in.
6. Mind Your Macros
Nourishing your body from the inside out plays a crucial role in achieving tighter skin after weight loss.
A well-balanced diet rich in specific nutrients can fuel your skin's natural ability to repair and regenerate, enhancing its elasticity and firmness.
Incorporate lean protein sources like chicken, fish, beans, lentils, and Greek yoghurt into your meals to support collagen production and help your skin bounce back.
Additionally, load up on vitamin C-rich foods like citrus fruits, berries, kiwi, broccoli, and bell peppers. This essential vitamin acts as a potent antioxidant, protecting your skin from damage and facilitating protein synthesis.
When Should You Seek Professional Help For Loose Stomach Skin?
Non-invasive lifestyle changes can also do so much in treating severe skin laxity after weight loss. There are cases where professional intervention might be necessary.
If you’re struggling with significant loose skin that’s causing physical discomfort, self-esteem issues, or hindering your daily activities, it’s worth seeking professional guidance.
Losing weight is a tremendous achievement, and while loose skin might be a temporary side effect, it doesn't have to be a permanent one. Incorporating these natural tips into your lifestyle helps support your skin’s natural bounce-back ability and regain firmness.
Consult Laser Clinics New Zealand’s Specialists For Expert Skin Tightening Treatments
If you're looking for a more targeted approach, consider exploring non-invasive yet highly effective treatments like laser therapy for skin tightening.
At Laser Clinics New Zealand, our expert therapists are dedicated to helping you achieve your skin goals. We offer advanced laser technologies tailored to your specific needs and concerns, providing a fast track to firmer, more youthful-looking skin.
Ready to take the next step in your skin transformation journey? Book a complimentary consultation with our expert therapists today and let us craft a personalised treatment plan just for you.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog post is intended for general knowledge and informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
