Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsCausesFactors That Influence Loose SkinSide EffectsAt-Home TreatmentsMedical Treatments

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

Causes

Factors That Influence Loose Skin

Side Effects

At-Home Treatments

Medical Treatments

You may be able to tighten loose skin after weight loss with a variety of lifestyle and medical treatments.

Exercise and diet can help support muscles to fill out sagging skin while surgery can remove excess, and radiofrequency can shrink skin. These treatments provide a smoother appearance and reduce side effects of weight loss such as discomfort and irritation.

Verywell / Jessica Olah

At-Home Treatments for Tightening Skin After Weight Loss: A person touches extra skin on the arm while talking to a healthcare professional

What Causes Loose Skin After Weight Loss?

Loose skin after weight loss is common, particularly in those who lose 100 pounds or more. The skin may lose elasticity and sag as a side effect of such a dramatic change in size.

Skin is partially made up of proteins called collagen and elastin fibers. These proteins give skin its firmness and allow it to snap back in place after being stretched. When the skin is stretched for an extended period of time, the collagen and elastin fibers become damaged.

After weight loss, your skin may lack the necessary proteins to return to its original shape. The skin loses its firmness and tends to just hang on the body.

In addition to losing elastin and collagen, after excessive weight loss, the makeup of the collagen left in your skin changes also changes. In fact, after losing weight, your skin contains less collagen. This results in its composition changing.

What Are the Side Effects of Loose Skin?

There are some simple, healthy habits you can try at home to address loose skin. While at-home treatments can help you make small improvements to the look and feel of your skin, they won’t completely address the cause of your sagging skin or fix it completely.

Losing a significant amount of weight usually results in more skin than lifestyle changes can handle. For this reason, many people turn to medical treatments for help.

Exercise

Physical activity and strength training routines can help you maintain your weight loss and build healthy muscles.This will help with sagging skin because the new muscles can help to fill it out. After weight loss, you don’t have as much body fat to fill out your skin. By building lean muscles through strength training, you’ll be able to add muscles while keeping the extra weight off.

Why Is Losing Weight So Hard? 7 Factors That Play a Role

Diet

Another way to improve loose skin is with your diet. Talk to your healthcare provider about adding the following to your meal plans:

Compression Clothing

Wearing compression clothing can help prevent some of the side effects of loose skin. Compression stockings and other garments that firmly hold loose skin together minimize friction from skin-to-skin contact. This can help reduce pain, irritation, itching, and the risk of infection. Compression clothing will not improve loose skin itself, however, only the side effects.

Sun Protection

Sun damage, known as photoaging, can cause a loss of skin elasticity, aggravating side effects of skin loss.

Wearing clothes to protect your skin from the sun or using sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 50 or higher can prevent photoaging. Look for water-resistant formulas and reapply every two hours when you are spending time in the sun.

Firming Cream

Collagen

Preliminary studies on collagen supplements suggest that oral collagen supplements may help improve skin moisture and elasticity, and topical collagen applied directly to the skin may help reduce wrinkling and roughness.However, higher quality studies are needed and there isn’t any research showing a benefit for skin that is sagging after weight loss.

Additionally, supplements are not regulated in the same way as prescription drugs and are not tested for safety and effectiveness. Always check with your healthcare provider before trying supplements.

As bariatric andweight loss surgerieshave become more common, so too have procedures to address the excess skin that can result from them. If you’ve lost a lot of weight, talk with your healthcare provider about the right medical treatment for addressing loose skin.

Body Contouring Surgery

There are several types of body contouring surgeries depending on where you have excess skin and how much you would like removed, including:

Undergoing body contouring surgery requires general anesthesia and usually spending one night in the hospital. When you are discharged home, you may require a surgical drain for excess fluid for a few weeks, as well as compression clothing. Recovery may take several months, but most people start feeling better after about four weeks.

Body contouring surgery may be right for you if you have been able to maintain a stable weight and are not dealing with any major medical problems. Nonsmokers have better outcomes, as well as individuals who have made healthy habits like diet and exercise a part of their lives.

Other Medical Procedures

If you’d like to avoid surgery to address your loose skin, there are other options. Radiofrequency-based energy devices are noninvasive and minimally invasive body contouring procedures that can help to tone the skin.These procedures may be a good fit if you have a minimal amount of excess skin to remove.

Examples include devices that use radiofrequency, infrared light, and suction to massage the fat cells under the skin. This process is meant to stimulate the growth of new collagen and elastin, giving your skin more flexibility and definition.

Another device uses radiofrequency delivered to your cells via a catheter. The procedure heats the tissue under your skin to a safe temperature and causes it to contract and shrink. Results usually take about three to four months to show.

It is important to wait to address excess skin until you have reached a stable weight and have maintained it for some time. Otherwise, if you continue to lose weight after body contouring, you will most likely have to repeat the procedure because of additional loose skin.Experts recommend waiting until 18 months after bariatric surgery and six months of maintaining a stable weight before looking into body contouring procedures.

It is important to wait to address excess skin until you have reached a stable weight and have maintained it for some time. Otherwise, if you continue to lose weight after body contouring, you will most likely have to repeat the procedure because of additional loose skin.

Experts recommend waiting until 18 months after bariatric surgery and six months of maintaining a stable weight before looking into body contouring procedures.

Summary

To determine which treatment is right for you, talk with your healthcare provider.

17 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Sami K, Elshahat A, Moussa M, Abbas A, Mahmoud A.Image analyzer study of the skin in patients with morbid obesity and massive weight loss.Eplasty. 2015;15:e4.Liu Y, Aron-Wisnewsky J, Marcelin G, et al.Accumulation and changes in composition of collagens in subcutaneous adipose tissue after bariatric surgery.J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2016;101(1):293-304. doi:10.1210/jc.2015-3348Bariatric and Metabolic Center of Colorado.Handle your excess skin after weight loss surgery.Fagevik Olsén M, Gren S, Heydeck Sundberg S, Biörserud C.Physical activity with hindrances: a qualitative study of post bariatric patients' experiences of physical activity in relation to excess skin.J Plast Surg Hand Surg. 2022;56(6):320-325. doi:10.1080/2000656X.2020.1777144de Zwaan M, Georgiadou E, Stroh CE, et al.Body image and quality of life in patients with and without body contouring surgery following bariatric surgery: a comparison of pre- and post-surgery groups.Front Psychol. 2014;5:1310. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2014.01310Krzysztofik, Wilk, Wojdała, Gołaś.Maximizing muscle hypertrophy: a systematic review of advanced resistance training techniques and methods.IJERPH. 2019;16(24):4897. doi:10.3390/ijerph16244897Huang TH, Wang PW, Yang SC, Chou WL, Fang JY.Cosmetic and Therapeutic Applications of Fish Oil’s Fatty Acids on the Skin.Mar Drugs. 2018;16(8):256. Published 2018 Jul 30. doi:10.3390/md16080256Oregon State University.Vitamin C and Skin Health.Lim MT, Pan BJ, Toh DWK, Sutanto CN, Kim JE.Animal Protein versus Plant Protein in Supporting Lean Mass and Muscle Strength: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.Nutrients. 2021;13(2):661. Published 2021 Feb 18. doi:10.3390/nu13020661Penn Medicine.How to tighten loose skin.Yale Medicine.Photoaging (Sun Damage).Al-Atif H.Collagen supplements for aging and wrinkles: a paradigm shift in the field of dermatology and cosmetics.Dermatol Pract Concept. 2022:e2022018. doi:10.5826/dpc.1201a18American Society of Plastic Surgeons.Body contouring.John Hopkins Medicine.Body contouring.UCSF Bariatric and Metabolic Center.Post-bariatric body contouring.Kesty K, Goldberg DJ.Combination treatment with 150 W bipolar radiofrequency, infrared light, and ultrasound-induced lipolysis for thigh circumference reduction.J Cosmet Dermatol. 2020;19(9):2301-2305. doi:10.1111/jocd.13533Yale Medicine.Body contouring after weight loss.Additional ReadingChoo S, Marti G, Nastai M, Mallalieu J, Shermak MA.Biomechanical properties of skin in massive weight loss patients. Obes Surg. 2010 Oct;20(10):1422-8. doi: 10.1007/s11695-010-0147-6.Orpheu SC, Coltro PS, Scopel GP, Gomez DS, Rodrigues CJ, Modolin ML, Faintuch J, Gemperli R, Ferreira MC.Collagen and elastic content of abdominal skin after surgical weight loss. Obes Surg. 2010 Apr;20(4):480-6. doi: 10.1007/s11695-009-0019-0.

17 Sources

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Sami K, Elshahat A, Moussa M, Abbas A, Mahmoud A.Image analyzer study of the skin in patients with morbid obesity and massive weight loss.Eplasty. 2015;15:e4.Liu Y, Aron-Wisnewsky J, Marcelin G, et al.Accumulation and changes in composition of collagens in subcutaneous adipose tissue after bariatric surgery.J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2016;101(1):293-304. doi:10.1210/jc.2015-3348Bariatric and Metabolic Center of Colorado.Handle your excess skin after weight loss surgery.Fagevik Olsén M, Gren S, Heydeck Sundberg S, Biörserud C.Physical activity with hindrances: a qualitative study of post bariatric patients' experiences of physical activity in relation to excess skin.J Plast Surg Hand Surg. 2022;56(6):320-325. doi:10.1080/2000656X.2020.1777144de Zwaan M, Georgiadou E, Stroh CE, et al.Body image and quality of life in patients with and without body contouring surgery following bariatric surgery: a comparison of pre- and post-surgery groups.Front Psychol. 2014;5:1310. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2014.01310Krzysztofik, Wilk, Wojdała, Gołaś.Maximizing muscle hypertrophy: a systematic review of advanced resistance training techniques and methods.IJERPH. 2019;16(24):4897. doi:10.3390/ijerph16244897Huang TH, Wang PW, Yang SC, Chou WL, Fang JY.Cosmetic and Therapeutic Applications of Fish Oil’s Fatty Acids on the Skin.Mar Drugs. 2018;16(8):256. Published 2018 Jul 30. doi:10.3390/md16080256Oregon State University.Vitamin C and Skin Health.Lim MT, Pan BJ, Toh DWK, Sutanto CN, Kim JE.Animal Protein versus Plant Protein in Supporting Lean Mass and Muscle Strength: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.Nutrients. 2021;13(2):661. Published 2021 Feb 18. doi:10.3390/nu13020661Penn Medicine.How to tighten loose skin.Yale Medicine.Photoaging (Sun Damage).Al-Atif H.Collagen supplements for aging and wrinkles: a paradigm shift in the field of dermatology and cosmetics.Dermatol Pract Concept. 2022:e2022018. doi:10.5826/dpc.1201a18American Society of Plastic Surgeons.Body contouring.John Hopkins Medicine.Body contouring.UCSF Bariatric and Metabolic Center.Post-bariatric body contouring.Kesty K, Goldberg DJ.Combination treatment with 150 W bipolar radiofrequency, infrared light, and ultrasound-induced lipolysis for thigh circumference reduction.J Cosmet Dermatol. 2020;19(9):2301-2305. doi:10.1111/jocd.13533Yale Medicine.Body contouring after weight loss.Additional ReadingChoo S, Marti G, Nastai M, Mallalieu J, Shermak MA.Biomechanical properties of skin in massive weight loss patients. Obes Surg. 2010 Oct;20(10):1422-8. doi: 10.1007/s11695-010-0147-6.Orpheu SC, Coltro PS, Scopel GP, Gomez DS, Rodrigues CJ, Modolin ML, Faintuch J, Gemperli R, Ferreira MC.Collagen and elastic content of abdominal skin after surgical weight loss. Obes Surg. 2010 Apr;20(4):480-6. doi: 10.1007/s11695-009-0019-0.

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Sami K, Elshahat A, Moussa M, Abbas A, Mahmoud A.Image analyzer study of the skin in patients with morbid obesity and massive weight loss.Eplasty. 2015;15:e4.Liu Y, Aron-Wisnewsky J, Marcelin G, et al.Accumulation and changes in composition of collagens in subcutaneous adipose tissue after bariatric surgery.J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2016;101(1):293-304. doi:10.1210/jc.2015-3348Bariatric and Metabolic Center of Colorado.Handle your excess skin after weight loss surgery.Fagevik Olsén M, Gren S, Heydeck Sundberg S, Biörserud C.Physical activity with hindrances: a qualitative study of post bariatric patients' experiences of physical activity in relation to excess skin.J Plast Surg Hand Surg. 2022;56(6):320-325. doi:10.1080/2000656X.2020.1777144de Zwaan M, Georgiadou E, Stroh CE, et al.Body image and quality of life in patients with and without body contouring surgery following bariatric surgery: a comparison of pre- and post-surgery groups.Front Psychol. 2014;5:1310. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2014.01310Krzysztofik, Wilk, Wojdała, Gołaś.Maximizing muscle hypertrophy: a systematic review of advanced resistance training techniques and methods.IJERPH. 2019;16(24):4897. doi:10.3390/ijerph16244897Huang TH, Wang PW, Yang SC, Chou WL, Fang JY.Cosmetic and Therapeutic Applications of Fish Oil’s Fatty Acids on the Skin.Mar Drugs. 2018;16(8):256. Published 2018 Jul 30. doi:10.3390/md16080256Oregon State University.Vitamin C and Skin Health.Lim MT, Pan BJ, Toh DWK, Sutanto CN, Kim JE.Animal Protein versus Plant Protein in Supporting Lean Mass and Muscle Strength: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.Nutrients. 2021;13(2):661. Published 2021 Feb 18. doi:10.3390/nu13020661Penn Medicine.How to tighten loose skin.Yale Medicine.Photoaging (Sun Damage).Al-Atif H.Collagen supplements for aging and wrinkles: a paradigm shift in the field of dermatology and cosmetics.Dermatol Pract Concept. 2022:e2022018. doi:10.5826/dpc.1201a18American Society of Plastic Surgeons.Body contouring.John Hopkins Medicine.Body contouring.UCSF Bariatric and Metabolic Center.Post-bariatric body contouring.Kesty K, Goldberg DJ.Combination treatment with 150 W bipolar radiofrequency, infrared light, and ultrasound-induced lipolysis for thigh circumference reduction.J Cosmet Dermatol. 2020;19(9):2301-2305. doi:10.1111/jocd.13533Yale Medicine.Body contouring after weight loss.

Sami K, Elshahat A, Moussa M, Abbas A, Mahmoud A.Image analyzer study of the skin in patients with morbid obesity and massive weight loss.Eplasty. 2015;15:e4.

Liu Y, Aron-Wisnewsky J, Marcelin G, et al.Accumulation and changes in composition of collagens in subcutaneous adipose tissue after bariatric surgery.J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2016;101(1):293-304. doi:10.1210/jc.2015-3348

Bariatric and Metabolic Center of Colorado.Handle your excess skin after weight loss surgery.

Fagevik Olsén M, Gren S, Heydeck Sundberg S, Biörserud C.Physical activity with hindrances: a qualitative study of post bariatric patients' experiences of physical activity in relation to excess skin.J Plast Surg Hand Surg. 2022;56(6):320-325. doi:10.1080/2000656X.2020.1777144

de Zwaan M, Georgiadou E, Stroh CE, et al.Body image and quality of life in patients with and without body contouring surgery following bariatric surgery: a comparison of pre- and post-surgery groups.Front Psychol. 2014;5:1310. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2014.01310

Krzysztofik, Wilk, Wojdała, Gołaś.Maximizing muscle hypertrophy: a systematic review of advanced resistance training techniques and methods.IJERPH. 2019;16(24):4897. doi:10.3390/ijerph16244897

Huang TH, Wang PW, Yang SC, Chou WL, Fang JY.Cosmetic and Therapeutic Applications of Fish Oil’s Fatty Acids on the Skin.Mar Drugs. 2018;16(8):256. Published 2018 Jul 30. doi:10.3390/md16080256

Oregon State University.Vitamin C and Skin Health.

Lim MT, Pan BJ, Toh DWK, Sutanto CN, Kim JE.Animal Protein versus Plant Protein in Supporting Lean Mass and Muscle Strength: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.Nutrients. 2021;13(2):661. Published 2021 Feb 18. doi:10.3390/nu13020661

Penn Medicine.How to tighten loose skin.

Yale Medicine.Photoaging (Sun Damage).

Al-Atif H.Collagen supplements for aging and wrinkles: a paradigm shift in the field of dermatology and cosmetics.Dermatol Pract Concept. 2022:e2022018. doi:10.5826/dpc.1201a18

American Society of Plastic Surgeons.Body contouring.

John Hopkins Medicine.Body contouring.

UCSF Bariatric and Metabolic Center.Post-bariatric body contouring.

Kesty K, Goldberg DJ.Combination treatment with 150 W bipolar radiofrequency, infrared light, and ultrasound-induced lipolysis for thigh circumference reduction.J Cosmet Dermatol. 2020;19(9):2301-2305. doi:10.1111/jocd.13533

Yale Medicine.Body contouring after weight loss.

Choo S, Marti G, Nastai M, Mallalieu J, Shermak MA.Biomechanical properties of skin in massive weight loss patients. Obes Surg. 2010 Oct;20(10):1422-8. doi: 10.1007/s11695-010-0147-6.Orpheu SC, Coltro PS, Scopel GP, Gomez DS, Rodrigues CJ, Modolin ML, Faintuch J, Gemperli R, Ferreira MC.Collagen and elastic content of abdominal skin after surgical weight loss. Obes Surg. 2010 Apr;20(4):480-6. doi: 10.1007/s11695-009-0019-0.

Choo S, Marti G, Nastai M, Mallalieu J, Shermak MA.Biomechanical properties of skin in massive weight loss patients. Obes Surg. 2010 Oct;20(10):1422-8. doi: 10.1007/s11695-010-0147-6.

Orpheu SC, Coltro PS, Scopel GP, Gomez DS, Rodrigues CJ, Modolin ML, Faintuch J, Gemperli R, Ferreira MC.Collagen and elastic content of abdominal skin after surgical weight loss. Obes Surg. 2010 Apr;20(4):480-6. doi: 10.1007/s11695-009-0019-0.

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