This year, you may aim to lose weight, but no one informs you about loose skin. Rapid weight reduction can create loose or drooping skin, whereas steady weight loss may not.
You may want to rush to the finish, but taking a year or more to lose weight might be good for your skin. Dr. Davin Lim, a board-certified dermatologist in Brisbane, Australia, suggested losing 2.2 pounds every six weeks on YouTube. "Think long-term, not short-term. Yo-yo dieters with significant weight changes are in jeopardy, said Dr. Lim.
Giving your skin time to acclimatize to weight loss is the aim. According to Healthline, a holistic approach to weight reduction involves working with your skin's collagen and elastin fibers and giving it time to respond. Weight increase and decrease affect skin laxity greatly.
For instance, long-term obesity may decrease skin elasticity. Rapid weight loss just makes matters worse. According to certified personal trainer and author Paige Waehner (via Verywell Fit), reducing weight slowly can "help you lose more fat than muscle and allow your skin to adjust as you lose weight."
If you have flabby skin after bariatric surgery or a lot of weight loss, there are ways to reduce it.
According to Men's Health, strength training and muscle growth might help you avoid non-surgical procedures and go natural.
Healthline suggests excellent hydration and correct diet, including protein, vitamin C-rich meals, omega-3 fatty acids, and collagen supplements, to improve skin elasticity and health.
Consider non-invasive medical techniques like radio frequency skin tightening. Low-frequency electromagnetic waves boost skin collagen and elastin (Cleveland Clinic).
According to New York City plastic surgeon David Shafer (via Harper's Bazaar), these procedures are only as effective as hanging skin. "Abdominoplasty, body lift, and arm lift are needed to remove hanging skin," he said.
If you choose this path, think carefully and visit with many plastic surgeons. Long recovery and problems are possible. The operation may also take 1-2 years following weight reduction.