How to Avoid Having Loose Skin after Losing Weight

Loose skin is a common problem after weight loss, but there are things that can be done to minimize the chances of having loose skin. If you are planning on losing a large amount of weight, these tips will help you to avoid the loose skin problem.

Lose Weight Slowly

One of the most important things you can do to prevent loose skin while losing weight is to lose the weight slowly. It’s tempting to want to lose weight as quickly as possible, but this doesn’t give the skin time to adjust to the weight loss. Limiting weight loss to no more than a pound or two per week will go a long way in preventing the loose skin condition.

Dry Brush 

Gently brush the skin with a soft boar bristle brush prior to bathing or showering. This will not only feel great and help to exfoliate your skin, but it will increase the circulation in your skin. This increased circulation will help bring vital nutrients to the skin and improve the quality of collagen and elastin, which will improve the skins ability to bounce back following weight loss.

Balanced Diet

Make sure that you’re eating a balanced diet with adequate protein. Protein is important for skin elasticity. The body cannot do without sufficient protein. Crash dieting will force the body to cannibalize itself and rob its stores of protein, including collagen. Collagen is the most abundant protein in the body and its degradation will lead to loose skin and wrinkles as well as more serious heath conditions.

It’s also important to get enough antioxidants and healthy oils in your diet. Eating fresh fruits and vegetables and healthy nuts and oils will help to keep your skin in tip-top shape when dieting.

Multivitamins

When cutting calories sometimes it’s hard to know if you are getting all the nutrients needed to maintain proper health. Taking a multivitamin will help to ensure that you’re not missing any essential nutrients. Make certain that the multivitamin you choose includes vitamins C, A, E and K as well as the B-complex vitamins. These vitamins are all important to skin health. Choose a formula that includes minerals as well. Selenium, copper and zinc are minerals that are vital to healthy skin.

Some vitamins formulated specifically for skin health and beauty will also include nutrients like alpha-lipoic acid, DMEA, MSM and hyaluronic acid.

Weekly Massage

Getting frequent massages that utilize effleurage movements, a technique that helps to improve skin circulation, is a great way to maintain skin health. There are also techniques that can help to smooth cellulite if that is a concern. If getting a professional massage isn't for you, there are many massage techniques that are great for the skin that you can do yourself. Use a good quality lotion or oil and focus on stimulating the blood flow so that the skin's surface will feel rejuvenated.