To enter loose skin territory, you must lose a lot of weight and drastically change your body. People who have struggled with the same 5 pounds for the last 10 years usually don’t have this problem. However, obese people tend to find motivation in the final result after grinding every day. They need a mental picture that can extend their expectations, and one single downside can throw them off their game.
After all, nobody likes to tuck their loose skin in their pants and be unable to show off all the hard work it took to drop the weight. So one may wonder, is slow weight loss better for skin? Bare with us as we elaborate on this and what to do to potentially tighten the skin.
Is Slow Weight Loss Better for Skin?
In general, the length of time someone was overweight or obese plays a significant role in the collagen and elastin of the loose skin. In fact, yes, it is better to lose weight slowly and gradually than rapidly. A slow weight loss may prevent you from getting loose skin, but it does not offer a guarantee in each scenario.
For instance, if you are a 300-pound man who has not done a single pushup in his life, no matter how slowly or quickly you start to shed the pounds, loose skin is something you might have to live with for the rest of your life unless you get it surgically removed. However, there are things you can do to potentially tighten loose skin.
On the other hand, if you like to drop body fat, doing it slowly is the way to go. Not only will you be able to avoid loose skin, but you will also achieve a physique that you can sustain instead of crash dieting and going to McDonald’s every Sunday for a cheat meal.
Read more: How to Restart Weight Loss After Gastric Bypass
Factors that affect the elasticity of the loose skin
- Amount of weight loss – Anything above 80 pounds will leave much loose skin behind. If you need a less drastic change and shed a couple of pounds in multiple weeks, you are more likely to have a flat stomach.
- Age – If you decide to burn fat and change your appearance at an older age, unfortunately, you are more prone to loose skin. Older skin has less collagen and can quickly become looser.
- Genetics – Anything related to your fitness goals has to match your genetics. Some people lose even 100 pounds and still do not have loose skin.
- Smoking – Nicotine can cause collagen reduction and may result in sagging skin.
Natural Remedies for Tightening the Skin After Weight Loss
So, is slow weight loss better for skin? Yes, it is. But, if you have already lost weight and are a proud owner of saggy skin, some non-surgical remedies can help you tighten it and regain confidence.
Weight training
Resistance training is one of the most effective ways to build muscle and tighten your loose skin. Think about it: if you have no muscle and have spent your entire weight loss journey on the elliptical, you can look more toned and fill up the skin once you build muscle.
Collagen
Collagen is similar to gelatin and is found in the connective tissue of animals. Multiple studies have shown that collagen can have a protective effect on loose skin. It may increase the skin’s elasticity, hydration, and texture. Collagen can be found in almost every supplement store and benefits your recovery journey. It contains biotin, zinc, vitamin C, and vitamin E.
Also read: Foods to Eat to Lose Weight in Stomach
Conclusion
Is slow weight loss better for skin? After acquiring the answer, you can approach your fat loss journey differently. Everything related to fitness takes time, whether building muscle or losing weight. By showing up every day, you can be one step closer than before.
Eventually, if you have loose skin and all the non-surgical alternatives have not helped you, wear it with pride and let everyone at the beach know how much you accomplished. Consult your doctor for any questions you may have regarding your health.