No one ever tells you the truth about losing weight. Your social media is probably flooded with before and after pictures of people that have shed pounds by following a healthier lifestyle. It sounds great, but, with every major change that your body undergoes, there can be some frustrating consequences. A common problem people are faced with after losing weight is the skins inability to bounce back. Loose skin from weight loss may feel like a major setback to your fitness goals, but that is not to say that it can’t be remedied. Whether you’ve already begun your weight loss journey or are about to commit to a fitness regimen, there are a couple of things you should know to avoid that saggy skin.

Why do we get loose skin?

Your skin is an organ that stretches out and expands according to the amount of fat that has been accumulated in a certain area. Once you’ve gained a considerable amount of weight, it will often not snap back into place, especially if it is lost at a relatively rapid rate. There are a myriad of factors that can affect the firmness and ability of your skin to tighten after weight loss. Some of these may include age, how much weight is lost, how quickly the weight is lost, hydration, sun exposure, or the fact that some people are genetically pre-disposed to have looser skin. Many of these factors affect your skins natural production of collagen, a protein that helps to restore dead skin and maintains its firmness. Once it is stretched out to a certain point, it begins to damage the collagen and affects its overall elasticity so it will not shrink back with you.

 

How can you prevent it?

As you lose weight, it is important to keep your skin in mind, and following certain methods, you can help it bounce back. Experts have recommended losing weight at a slower pace (to give your body more time to adjust to the change), building muscle, and making sure to stay hydrated. An effective method to prevent that sagginess can be found in creams and serums with ingredients to help heal and support the firmness of the skin. Putting together the best ingredients for you may make a drastic difference in its health and can minimize the effects of weight loss. Several have been tested for their effectiveness in restoring your skin naturally. Below is a list of some excellent ingredients to try out and the reasons why they’re creating a craze in the beauty world.

JOJOBA

It’s likely that you’ve seen jojoba listed on the ingredients of your favorite shampoo or creams. But what does it do? Jojoba is a wax that is extracted from the seed of the plant of the same name. It contains phytosterols, compounds that encourage collagen production and slows down the process of aging skin, making it a vital tool in your arsenal of ingredients to tighten and minimize loose skin. Jojoba is incredibly moisturizing and very quickly absorbed. Remember, age and environment affect the skins ability to produce collagen and can negatively impact its firmness. When you use products like jojoba that maintain hydration and helps collagen receive water, it can significantly influence how your skin bounces back.

AVOCADO OIL

Hydration is a crucial element in supporting collagen production, and avocado oil is perfect to minimize the effects of damaged skin. Avocado oil moisturizes the skin and is used to relieve eczema, prevent stretch marks and protect against the sun (one of the main factors of collagen degradation). It seals in moisture for long-lasting hydration and contains vitamin E, potassium and healthy fats like oleic acid that can be deeply absorbed by the skin to moisturize, hydrate and improve the function of cells.

HYALURONIC ACID

Hyaluronic acid may not sound like something you’d want to put on your skin, but in reality, it is a substance naturally found all over the body that functions to fill up space between tissues. It helps to regulate moisture and is located in the highest concentration in skin tissue. It is safe to use and may drastically maintain the health and appearance of your skin. It is often added to serums and creams because of its effectiveness in improving wrinkles and lines found around the face. The craze is not just hype; thousands have seen the positive benefits hyaluronic acid has had on their skin so adding it to your creams may be just what you need to firm up those areas you need help with.

ROSEHIP OIL

Rosehip oil is made from the seeds of the rosebush. It contains vitamins like A and C that firm up the skin and are commonly used to treat wrinkles and prevent premature aging. Rosehip also contains high levels of fatty acids, particularly Omega-3 and Omega-6. These are generally absorbed by the body through our diet. They are available in foods such as fish oil, walnuts, oysters and plant oils and are essential because fatty acids are the building blocks of the skins surface layers. Applying it directly to your skin can help improve its durability and the likelihood that the skin will strengthen and tighten in the long run.

There are hundreds of remedies to help with saggy or loose skin after weight loss. It just takes the right combination of diet, exercise and skin care ingredients to help your skin look its best while you work on transforming your body for the better. If you are interested in creating your own serum or skin cream, check out the company Organation that specializes in providing the best ingredients (including all of those mentioned above) to create your own custom product that will work for your unique needs. With all of these tools in your arsenal, it’s easy to jump onto that new diet with the confidence and knowledge necessary to fight saggy skin, so you’ll look your best no matter what.