One of the issues weight loss patients in Los Angeles can sometimes experience is loose skin. Excess skin after weight loss can be a challenge and we are here to support you and provide solutions.
The longer you have been overweight or obese, the looser your skin will be after weight loss due to elastin and collagen loss. There are a number of reasons why this can happen:
- When you have a weight loss of 100 pounds or more during a short time frame, it can typically result in a greater amount of loose skin than with more moderate weight loss.
- Older skin has less collagen than younger skin[1] and as a result, tends to be looser following weight loss.
- Your genes may affect how your skin responds to weight gain and loss.
- Chronic sun exposure[2] has been shown to reduce skin’s collagen and elastin production, which may contribute to loose skin.
- Smoking[3] leads to a reduction in collagen production and damage to existing collagen, resulting in loose, sagging skin.
For many of our Los Angeles patients at West Medical, having loose skin after bariatric sleeve surgery can be a challenge, especially after they have such tremendous feelings of positivity and achievement due to reaching their weight loss goal. Excess skin can be uncomfortable and possibly interfere with their normal activity. Loose skin has also been found to interfere with being able to exercise after bariatric surgery[4] which can also cause concern.
However, there is help to tighten that loose skin. To avoid the more drastic and costly measure of getting surgery to reduce your excess and loose skin there are a number of health-conscious ways you can tighten it up.
Green Tea
Green tea contains vitamin B2, which is also known as riboflavin. This vitamin is known to help temporarily firm and tighten the skin. Green tea also has a high concentration of catechins, which are powerful antioxidants that help to eliminate inflammation, inhibit cellular damage and defend the skin from the sun.
Applying green tea directly to your skin can also assist with increased elasticity. A small 2005 study of 80 women showed an improvement of skin elasticity in participants treated with a combination regimen of topical and oral green tea.[5]
Biotin
A water-soluble B vitamin, biotin is also known as vitamin H. Biotin helps your body metabolize the amino acids needed to build keratin. Cells in the body called keratinocytes produce keratin which is a protective layer for the skin, making it supple and firm, just like elastin or collagen.
Skin disorders such as dermatitis, scaling and alopecia have all been associated with a deficiency in biotin. To help build up your biotin levels, increase your intake of green, leafy vegetables, milk, eggs, nuts, rice and oatmeal.
Vitamins A, C and E
Cellular damaging free radicals have no chance when facing these combinations of vitamins. Vitamin A helps to hydrate the lower layer of skin, vitamin C preserves and protects skin-firming fibers such as collagen and elastin, and vitamin E safeguards skin from sun damage. To employ this powerful protection for your skin, eat more leafy greens and colorful fruits and vegetables.
Essential Fatty Acids
Essential fatty acids such as omega-3 and omega-6 cultivate your skin to keep it resilient, svelte and smooth. What is more, they help ward off wrinkles and dry skin, which prove to be additional benefits that increase their appeal to encourage healthy skin. Outstanding sources of essential fatty acids are nuts, olive and grapeseed oils and fish such as tuna, mackerel, sardines and salmon.
Exercise
Strength training exercises will get your skin tightened in no time! When muscles are firmed up due to strength training, this diminishes the appearance of sagging skin. Simply put, strong and lean muscles keep your skin toned.
Are you considering a weight loss surgery sleeve? At West Medical, we are proud to be the premier provider of weight loss surgery in California. We want to support you so you can achieve your weight loss goal. Please call or text us now at (855) 690-0565. One of our expert team will be available to help you with any questions you may have!
1 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25660807/
2 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25561721/
3 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30581032/
4 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27178615/
5 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16029678/