Overview
Loose, sagging skin can be a normal sign of aging or an aftereffect of having lost a significant amount of weight. You may find the looseness of your skin to be uncomfortable or unsightly enough that repair of some kind is warranted. Upping your intake of certain vitamins and minerals, applying firming creams, exercising, and protecting yourself from the sun can be ways to repair loose skin without any medical intervention. Cosmetic surgery to remove excess skin may also be an option to consider.
Step 1
Exercise. Repair loose skin by exercising. According to Skin Biology and the National Institutes of Health, both aerobic and weight-bearing exercise can tone your muscles and tighten your skin. Ask your doctor to recommend specific exercises to target loose skin in particular areas of your body. Walking, jogging or participating in sports is beneficial to your overall health and may help repair loose, sagging skin throughout your body.
Step 2
Take nutritional supplements that contribute to skin health and can help you tighten loose, crepey skin. Biochemist Dr. Loren Pickart, founder of Skin Biology, suggests that vitamin C, a nutrient that helps skin wounds heal, can also aid in skin tightening. Taking 1 g daily as part of your routine may repair your skin from the inside out. Another dietary supplement, called methylsulfonylmethane (MSM), may be helpful. According to Drugs.com, this substance is primarily used to treat arthritis and muscle pain. Skin Biology reports that taking 1 g of MSM each day gives your body the sulfur you need to make protein. Collagen, the protein in your skin that gives it structure, can repair loose skin.
Step 3
Apply alpha hydroxy-based firming lotions or creams that are designed to restore a younger appearance to your skin. Products of this kind often receive conflicting reviews and may not be effective in all people. Months may pass before you notice that your loose skin is repairing yourself, so patience and perseverance is key.
Step 4
Talk to a doctor about cosmetic procedures such as a face-lift, arm-lift or abdominoplasty to repair loose skin on a more permanent basis. Kristin Cooper of “Northern Virginia Magazine” reports that surgery of this kind is often reserved for people who have recently lost large amounts of weight, as the vast excess of loose skin may not respond to exercise and beauty products. Be sure you understand the risks of such procedures, including complications from bleeding, infection and possible nerve injury.
Tips and Warnings
- Protect your skin from future damage and sagging by applying sunscreen whenever you are outside. Sun exposure can cause collagen and elastin, the skin’s support systems, to break down, which can make skin looser and flabby.
About this Author
Erica Roth has been a freelance writer since 2007. She is a member of the Society of Professional Journalists and was a college reference librarian for eight years. Roth earned a Bachelor of Arts in French literature from Brandeis University and Master of Library Science from Simmons College Graduate School of Library and Information Science.
