10 Ways to Naturally Tighten Skin After Weight Loss
Losing weight is a momentous achievement and ought to be celebrated for sure, but for some having to contend with loose skin as a result of losing a great deal of weight it can be disappointing.
You may feel like you’ve won in one area and lost in another, but this is not necessarily the case. In fact, there are some natural ways that can increase your skin’s elasticity and tighten the areas in need over a matter of time. Your results, of course, will depend on how much weight you’ve actually lost, the length of time your skin was stretched out, and your age.
Here are some valuable tips on how you can tighten your skin after weight loss:
1. Monitor your weight loss to prevent loose skin
It may be time to curb your weight loss just for a bit to allow your skin to get adjusted to the loss. As you maintain your weight, your skin has more of a tendency to shrink to your new size. If you continue to lose weight rapidly, your skin will continue to lose elasticity.
2. Increase your water intake to improve skin elasticity
Drinking a lot of water not only improves your overall health, it also will help your skin to become tighter, smoother, and look more radiant. One scientific study found that increasing the daily water intake caused significant improvements in skin hydration and function.
Be sure to drink at least 6 glasses of water per day. If you can drink more than that, even better. Hydration is wonderful for your skin and certainly helps to improve skin elasticity which can help to tighten it after weight loss.
You can also drink flat tummy water to help you burn belly fat.
3. Participate in weight resistance training to make your loose skin tighter
According to Cedric Bryant, chief science officer for the American Council on Exercise, strength training strengthens muscles as it creates a layer of muscle underneath the skin. As a result, your skin will become tighter.
Scientific studies show that regular resistance-training exercise is one of the best ways to build muscle mass in both young and older adults. An increase in muscle mass could also help improve the appearance of loose skin and make it look tighter.
It is recommended that you perform strength training three times per week every other day in order to really benefit your muscles and skin. Weight training is especially important if you have dropped your caloric intake significantly, as when you lose fat, you often lose muscle as well. Rebuilding your muscles will help tighten the skin after weight loss.
4. Moisturize your skin to keep it firm
Use a skin moisturizer that has vitamin E in it, so that your skin will stay moist, as this allows for new skin cells to grow. Moisturizing also helps with minimizing wrinkles.
You can even use coconut oil on your skin. Coconut oil is a natural moisturizer and has antibacterial properties to soothe the skin. It is often used in commercial and DIY body lotions, but it can be used on its own as well.
You can find here more fantastic everyday uses for coconut oil, or read about these natural oils that could help to reduce loose skin.
5. Belly toning exercises for a tight tummy
Chances are your belly has some stretched skin if you’ve lost a lot of weight.
Tightening the tummy area is much more possible if you take time a few times per week to exercise that area.
Commit to belly toning exercises such as crunches, air bike, leg raises, sit ups, side bridges, and pelvic thrusts.
You don’t have to spend a lot of time on these flat tummy exercises either. Simply spending 15 to 20 minutes three to five days per week will help tighten your tummy area to get rid of loose skin faster.
You can find here 8 simple exercises to get a flat tummy, and if you have loose skin on your arms, check these 6 simple exercises to get rid of jiggly arms.
6. Get massages to reduce loose skin after weight loss
Who doesn’t love a massage? Head to your favorite masseuse to get weekly or biweekly massages, as they are known to help increase blood circulation that is helpful to tighten loose skin.
One medical study showed that a combination of massage, infrared light and radiofrequency helped to reduce loose skin.
You don’t necessarily need a massage therapist to massage your skin, as you can do it yourself or have your partner do this for you. You can add to the massage your favorite essential oils diluted in a carrier oil and inhale them to reach new levels of calmness.
Massaging your skin is also one of the best ways to reduce cellulite on your tights, legs and butt.
If you are interested to learn more about essential oils you can find useful information in my e-book Magical Aromatherapy. This book will help you to discover the power of essential oils and the most effective ways to use them.
7. Limit your sun exposure to keep your skin firm
Too much time in the sun will have a negative effect on your skin’s elasticity, so limit your time sun bathing to prevent loose skin.
Medical studies have shown that too much time in the sun can reduce the skin’s collagen and elastin production, which may cause loose skin.
This goes for tanning beds as well, as the rays can dry out your skin and damage the skin cells at the same time (you can also watch this video to see what the sun really does to your skin).
Also, limit your time swimming in chlorinated water, as the chlorine can dry out and damage skin cells.
Spending a short amount of time sun bathing and swimming is alright; just be sure to shower afterwards and apply a natural moisturizer that has vitamins and aloe vera included.
Also remember that sun exposure is one of the top reasons for premature aging of your skin.
8. Sea salt scrubs can help tighten your skin
There are some researchers asserting that sea salt scrubs will help with blood flow to the skin and help tighten the skin over time.
There are a number of sea salt and mineral scrubs available on the market to choose from. Simply use them in the shower each day as you wash and see how your skin looks and feels after a couple of weeks.
Read my article on how to use sea salt for your skin, including sea salt body scrub.
9. Consume protein, omega 3 and vitamin C to tighten loose skin after weight loss
Eat protein to improve skin elasticity
Consume more protein as it’s vital for having a healthy firm skin. According to scientific studies, protein contains the amino acids lysine and proline that play a key role in collagen production. You can get plenty pf protein without consuming meat or dairy.
Consume Omega 3 fatty acids to tighten skin
One scientific study found that omega 3 fatty acids found in fish oil can improve skin elasticity. There are a lot of other proven health benefits of consuming omega 3 fatty acids.
Consume vitamin C to improve skin elasticity and flexibility
Vitamin C is required to produce collagen, a naturally occurring protein found in the body that supports elasticity and flexibility of the skin. One scientific study concluded that vitamin C stimulates collagen production and helps to protect against sun damage.
Citrus fruits, broccoli, guava, kiwi fruit, strawberries, peppers, papaya and berries are high in vitamin C.
10. Be patient
When dealing with stretched, loose skin, it is important to be patient as your body adapts to your new size.
Additionally, keep in mind that depending on how much weight you’ve lost, your skin may not be able to return to its original elasticity. Make a decision to accept this now just in case and affirm that you are pretty awesome even with some loose skin.
Should You Use Firming Creams?
There are many “firming” creams that contain collagen and elastin. For example, this cream promises to tighten up your crepey skin. While this cream claims to slim, tone and firm loose skin.
These creams may temporarily give a boost to skin tightness. However collagen and elastin molecules are too large to actually penetrate the skin.
It Takes Time to Tighten Loose skin
It is understandable to become frustrated when you’ve lost a lot of weight and now have to be concerned about loose skin. Fortunately, others that have gone before you have tried all sorts of methods to tighten their skin and happily pass that information on.
Keep in mind that what works for one person may not work for you. You can try various ways to tighten your skin and see what is helpful for you.
Additionally, understand that skin elasticity reacts differently at different ages and stages in life. For the young mom who just gave birth and is contending with loose skin, it may only take a little bit of effort to tighten up the skin and keep it moving.
For the 50 year old who has just dropped 75 pounds in a short amount of time, it may take a bit longer for the skin to tighten and it may not get back to its original state due to the age. It is important to realize this and accept it wholeheartedly.
Reward yourself for losing the weight and accept your skin’s condition in the process of tightening it.
If you have loose skin on your arms and want to tighten and tone it, try these simple exercises for jiggly arms: 6 Simple Exercises to Get Rid of Jiggly Arms.
If you have stretch marks, there are effective natural ways to get rid of them.
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- How to Reduce Cellulite Naturally: Nutrition + Exercises for Toned Legs & Butt
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- How To Use Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) For Weight Loss (Evidence Based)