Pregnancy, weight loss, and gravity are all causes of sagging skin. Weight lost is huge achievement. It’s it a testament to will-power and a lot of hard work. Unfortunately, we don’t feel so proud of the loose skin and stretch marks that inevitably follow rapid weight loss or weight gain. Tightening and firming loose skin is the final step to feeling great about yourself and your accomplishment.
When we overindulge excess calories are transformed into fat for storage. Traditional “problem areas” are where the fat likes to hide. This can be the arms, thighs, hips, buttocks, and midsection. If you pinch the skin on the back of your hand you will notice that it stretches and stretches and finally when you let go it snaps back into place. This is elastin and collagen at work. When we go through dramatic weight loss or on a crash diet our nutrition and consequently the elastin and collagen proteins suffer. Elastin and collagen are two groups of proteins found in skin and healthy tissue. Elastin is responsible for making everything stretchy, from muscles to veins. Collagen makes up 25% to 35% of the body’s total protein. There are many different collagens, (29 to be exact) that help build and maintain our complex bodily structures. Collagen 1 abbreviated Col1A1 is the key protein for healthy resilient skin. Gelatin naturally contains collagen since it is made from animal parts that contain the very same protein. Collagen supplements can be found at drugstores and health food stores look for one that specifically says Collagen 1. Collagen supplements are usually packaged with other vitamins, such as Vitamin C, and amino acids.
Amino acids are sometimes called the body’s building blocks, without them we wouldn’t be able to gather nutrients that the body converts into healthy proteins like Elastin and Collagen. To supplement your nutrition, pick up a bottle of Bragg’s amino acids from the health food store. Bragg’s is a salty all-purpose liquid seasoning that looks a lot like soy sauce and contains all 22 amino acids. Good nutrition is the best thing you can do for your skin. Eat plenty of fresh fruits and add foods rich in Essential Fatty Acids, these include hemp seeds, olive oil, sesame, sunflowers, and walnuts.
Natural oils are very beneficial to skin, when applied topically. Moisturize with natural cocoa butter, shea butter, or Vitamin E. to prevent and reduce stretch marks and sagginess. Use pure or unrefined oils when possible. Avoid packaged moisturizers that contain alcohols and emulsifiers like glycol, sulfates, anything with the word acid, these chemicals will dry fragile skin, causing more harm than good.
Crash diets can be harmful to nutrition, muscles, and overall health. The healthiest weight loss is two to four pounds per week. Maintaining nutrition during weight loss is the best way to ensure the skin can keep up with the changing body shape. Weight training is also beneficial for reshaping the body during and after weight loss. Healthy lean muscle mass can fill in some of the sagging areas, this is particularly effective for the back of arms, and legs.
The only way to truly remove sagging skin is plastic surgery. Tummy tucks remove excess skin from under the belly button, while surgeries performed on the arms, legs, hips, and buttocks are called “lifts.” Although surgery is permanent is it costly, causes additional scarring, and it is only suitable if you are at an extremely stable weight. If you are planning on loosing more weight or have a constantly yo-yoing weight, surgery is not a good solution.
For those of us who naturally fluctuate, or plan on loosing more weight, mud wraps are a wonderful temporary solution to tighten sagging skin. Bentonite clay can be purchased online or at most health food stores (I like Aztec Secret brand Indian Healing Clay) a huge two pound jar costs under $10 and makes quite a few body wraps. Combine 1 Cup of clay with 1 cup of vinegar (white or apple cider will work,) stir well and apply. For best results apply in a warm room, or wear a bathing suit and applying outdoors on a warm day. Wait for 20 minutes or until totally dry (it will feel really tight) and wash off. Bentonite is also effective at removing toxins from inside the body so it’s normal to feel a little sleepy afterward.
Regardless of age, or weight, good nutrition is always the key to maintaining healthy and resilient skin.
Wikipedia, “Elastin” Wikipedia.com.
Wikipedia, “Collagen” Wikipedia.com.
Wikipedia, “Amino acid” Wikipedia.com.
Martica Heaner, M.A., M.Ed., “Saggy Skin after Weight Loss” MSN.com
Natalie B, “How to Tighten Saggy Skin” ArticleAlley.com
Health Recipes, “Herbal Body Wraps Recipes” HealthRecipes.com
