After significant weight loss, loose skin frequently remains because the skin has stretched the two uppermost layers, the epidermis, and the dermis.
The epidermis is the top layer of skin which is responsible for pigment, epidermal cells, and proteins. The dermis layer is located just beneath the epidermis and contains the dermal cells, blood vessels and nerves, hair follicles and oil glands that are responsible for providing nutrients. However, the most notable component of the dermis layer is the skin’s collagen and connective tissue.
The collagen and connective tissue are responsible for the elasticity in the skin. Gaining weight will stretch the skin and if there is a significant amount of weight loss, the skin’s elasticity could be overworked, leaving saggy skin behind on the face, stomach, thighs, arms, and back.
Collagen fillers can be injected in order to rejuvenate the skin and its elasticity, however, for more extensive improvement, an invasive procedure such as tummy tucks is recommended. Those that are surgery averse should be aware of the many non-invasive surgical procedures such as laser skin tightening can remove scar tissue, fix uneven skin tone and encourage the collagen-building process in order to create firmer skin.
Other options include the Thermage procedure, which employs a patented technology called ThermaCool™. It has been clinically proven to tighten and gently lift the skin to smooth out wrinkles and renew facial contours. The incision-free procedure is fast and easy and requires no downtime from normal activities. Unlike lasers, the procedure can be performed on patients of all skin types. The ThermaCool device has been cleared by the FDA for the non-invasive treatment of wrinkles.
*Results may vary.
Immediately following a Thermage procedure, your skin may feel tighter, smoother and more youthful. Over time, you will notice additional tightening. Unlike many laser procedures requiring four or more sessions, a single Thermage treatment has produced results in the majority of patients. Your physician will determine the course of treatment that is right for you. The Thermage procedure can take anywhere from twenty minutes to two hours, depending on the size of the treatment area. Additional time may be required for skin preparation prior to the procedure.
Due to genetics and the inherent nature of skin and fat, many unsightly conditions simply cannot be addressed with diet and exercise alone. Fortunately, Dr. Rokhsar’s practice offers a wide variety of options to combat these stubborn areas.
For problems that can be resolved by tightening skin, patients can look to simple procedures such as Thermage, which uses ThermaCool technology to smooth skin, producing a tight, youthful result. Similarly, VelaShape’s heat energy delivery and vacuum/roller massage help to reduce cellulite, decrease fat, and create extraordinary contours.
Of course, rapid body shaping can be done through SmartLipo and LipoLite, a combination of minimally-invasive liposuction and skin tightening laser. By combining these together, Dr. Rokhsar can dramatically reduce the circumference of problematic areas. The procedure involves tiny incisions, local anesthesia, and a few days of downtime. However, the results are quick and patients are left visibly leaner, while still maintaining the curves and contours that define an attractive body.
Additionally, non-surgical fat removal systems continue to enter the market, such as the UltraShape, Liposonix, and Zerona technologies. These procedures use innovative new techniques to melt fat quickly, painlessly, and with zero incisions. While the results take longer to reveal themselves than with Liposculpture, they are nonetheless remarkable, lasting, and of course, convenient.
With an ever-increasing amount of options for patients to consider, talking with Dr. Rokhsar can help you decide how to best meet your body contouring goals.
Ulthera is another innovative cosmetic laser option that utilized acoustic energy deep into the soft tissue to promote collagen formation and skin tightening. The device can emit the energy at various levels, allowing Dr. Rokhsar to precisely administer the right amount of energy based on the particular area of the face being treated.
Fraxel Re:pair is ablative; meaning it removes tissue. Fraxel Re:pair is a more powerful laser- it removes the epidermis (the outer layer of skin). This means more post-treatment redness, scaling, peeling, and swelling. However, this laser also has unparalleled, dramatic skin-rejuvenation results after one or two treatments.
Fraxel Re:store is non-ablative; meaning it does not remove any tissue. Thus, there is less recovery time and less post-treatment peeling, redness, and swelling.
Losing weight can be a challenging task, and while it has numerous benefits, one downside is the possibility of developing loose skin. Loose skin can be caused by various factors such as aging, genetics, sun damage, or rapid weight loss. However, there are some steps you can take to minimize the chances of developing loose skin after weight loss.
One way to avoid loose skin after weight loss is to lose weight gradually. Experts recommend aiming for 1-2 pounds per week, which translates to 4-8 pounds per month. Gradual weight loss allows your skin to adjust as you lose weight, reducing the chances of developing loose skin.
Another way to avoid loose skin is to eat a healthy diet rich in lean proteins. Eating protein after strength training is particularly helpful for building muscle. Exercise can also help minimize the appearance of loose skin after weight loss by building muscle mass and tightening muscles. Strength training exercises like weightlifting, squats, and lunges can be particularly helpful.
Hydrating your skin by drinking plenty of water and using a skin moisturizer with vitamin E can help keep your skin firm and prevent wrinkles. Additionally, many studies suggest that quitting smoking and limiting sun exposure may help prevent loose skin.
Finally, rebuilding your muscles is crucial to minimizing loose skin. As you lose weight, the underlying layers of tissue shrink under a much larger surface area. Building muscle tissue can help to fill in this space and reduce the appearance of loose skin.
Loose belly skin can be a concern for those who have lost a significant amount of weight or given birth. While there are surgical options available, non-surgical methods can also be effective in tightening loose belly skin.
One method is exercising to strengthen your stomach muscles, specifically the transverse abdominis, which helps with posture and keeping internal organs tucked in tightly. Incorporating weight training can also help build muscle and tighten the skin.
Taking care of your body is also important. Drinking plenty of water to stay hydrated can help maintain healthy skin and elasticity. Eating protein-rich foods and foods high in collagen can also promote skin elasticity.
The most effective non surgical method to tighten the skin of the abdomen is the thermitight procedure. All non surgical laser and energy based devices use the concept of heat for skin contraction. Whether the source of the energy is ultrasound (Ulthera), lasers (Fraxel, CO2), or radiofrequency (morpheus, thermitight, thermage, exilis), the end result in the skin is that the energy is converted to hear to make loose skin tighter. The thermitight procedure is the most effective at making loose skin of the belly better, because the energy is delivered deep in your skin through a probe that emits radio frequency energy. After the area of the belly is numbed with some numbing fluid, the probe is inserted underneath the skin to heat it up while the temperatures on the outside are monitored by an infrared camera. The thermight is the safest and most effective way to heat up the skin to make the belly tighter.
Surgical options, such as an abdominoplasty or tummy tuck, which removes extra fat and skin and tightens the muscles in the abdominal wall, should be considered a last resort. Laser resurfacing with the Fraxel laser is also a highly effective procedure for tightening loose skin, although it does require some downtime.
Overall, there are several non-surgical and surgical options available for tightening loose belly skin. It’s important to consult with a board certified dermatologist to determine which method is best for your specific situation.
If you are looking for ways to tighten loose skin on your arms, there are several options to consider:
Remember that the effectiveness of these methods can vary based on the individual’s skin type and the amount of loose skin they have. It’s always best to consult with a dermatologist or plastic surgeon to determine the best course of action for your specific needs.
There are various ways to tighten loose skin on the stomach without undergoing surgery. One important step is to stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water. Another way is to consume a diet rich in protein which can help build muscle mass and enhance fat loss. In addition, increasing collagen production naturally can play an important role in re-tightening belly skin.
Non-surgical treatments such as Thermitight and laser treatments can also effectively tighten the skin on the stomach. Thermitight uses radiofrequency technology to restructure collagen fibers and stimulate the production of new collagen by delivering heat to the skin inside out. This is the most effective procedure to tighten the skin of the stomach. The results with Thermitght in experienced hands is far superior to Thermage, Ultherapy, Morpheus, and other skin tightening procedures. Similarly, laser treatments like the Fraxel laser can heat deep into the skin without wounding the top layer and help tighten skin all over the body.
In addition to these non-surgical treatments, targeted exercise can also help tighten loose skin on the stomach. A recommended exercise is to lie on your back, bend your legs at a 90-degree angle to the floor, lift your arms toward the ceiling, curl your upper back and shoulders off the floor, hold for a few seconds, and release slowly. Repeat this exercise for 10-15 times.
Finally, non-surgical skin tightening procedures in general work by using targeted energy to heat deeper layers of skin, which stimulates collagen and elastin production and gradually improves skin tone and texture. However, while these non-surgical treatments may be effective in some cases, they may not be sufficient for individuals with severely loose skin on the stomach where surgery may be required.
Loose skin after pregnancy is a common concern for many women. While it can be frustrating, there are several things you can do to tighten loose stomach skin after pregnancy. Here are some strategies you can try:
Overall, a combination of exercise, hydration, healthy diet, weight training, and skin protection, liposuction and Thermitight can help tighten loose stomach skin after pregnancy. Remember that it may take time and patience to see results, but with consistency, you can regain your pre-pregnancy body.
Loose skin under the chin can be a frustrating and confidence-damaging issue for many people. Fortunately, there are several ways to treat this condition:
Loose skin on thighs can be a result of aging, weight loss, sun damage or pregnancy. There are several ways to tighten loose skin on thighs, and here are some of the most effective methods:
Loose skin on the arms can be caused by aging, weight loss, sun damage or pregnancy. Fortunately, there are various ways to tighten loose skin on the arms:
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Dr. Cameron Rokhsar, MD, FAAD, FAACS, is the founder and medical director of the New York Cosmetic, Skin, & Laser Surgery Center. Dr. Rokhsar is a graduate of Harvard College and NYU School of Medicine. Dr. Rokhsar is double board certified in dermatology and micrographic dermatologic surgery, being one of the few select dermatologists in the country who is also fellowship trained in laser surgery. A researcher and innovator, Dr. Rokhsar is the creator of the non-surgical nose job and has been instrumental in the research and development of laser systems such as the Fraxel, CO2, Mirady, Vbeam, Themitight, and Ulthera devices. An Associate Professor of Dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital in NYC, Dr. Rokhsar actively teaches the cosmetic dermatology clinic to the resident at Mount Sinai. An expert injector of fillers, and a trainer for many companies, patients fly in from around the world to see Dr. Rokhsar in his Garden City and Manhattan offices in New York.
Dr. Rokhsar was chosen by
magazine as a top dermatologist in its Best Doctors 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023 issues.
