If you are on your own weight loss journey, you likely have a vision for the slimmer, stronger, and firmer body that you’ll have once you reach your goal. What you may not realize, though, is that if you have a significant amount of weight to lose, you may be left with a lot of loose skin once you get to your goal. As exciting as a major weight loss can be, the loose, sagging skin may be a reality for some can put a damper on the accomplishment.
Skin is an organ that molds and adapts. So if you have extra weight, your skin stretches to accommodate the excess fat. While your skin can typically “bounce back” from a weight loss of 10 to 20 pounds, the same may not be true if you have 50 or more pounds to lose. Several factors contribute to loose skin after weight loss, including:
- Length of time being overweight. Generally, the longer you’ve been overweight, the looser your skill will be due to greater loss of elastin and collagen.
- Amount of weight lost. Weight loss of 100 pounds or more often results in a greater amount of hanging skin than more modest losses.
- Age. Older skin naturally has less collagen, making it looser in general but especially after weight loss.
- Genetics. Genes may also play a role in how your skin responds to weight loss.
- Sun exposure. Chronic exposure to sun reduces the skin’s natural collagen and elastin production, resulting in loose skin.
- Smoking. Smoking reduces collagen production and damages the existing collagen, which can result in loose, sagging skin.
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