There are lots of ways to tighten skin after you lose weight, and many reasons to do so. The loose skin can come from pregnancy or even just dropping a lot of weight at one time. While you might be at your goal weight, you might still feel bulky, and the culprit is loose sagging skin. How do you tighten skin after weight loss so you can fit into the clothes you want, and look as gorgeous, healthy, and toned as you know you are? My dears, I can help. If your skin is slow to rebound, keep reading. Here's how to tighten loose skin after weight loss.
1 Don't Lose Weight Too Quickly
One of the best ways to tighten loose skin is to lose weight slowly instead of all at once. Dropping a lot of weight at one time can be bad for you, not just for your health, but in general, it can make your skin sag. One of the ways to tighten skin after weight loss is to lose your weight gradually. If you are trying to rid yourself of the baby fat after a baby, just tone a lot, don't immediately jump onto a crash diet that will make you lose a bunch of weight in a short amount of time. Remember, time is your friend and you want your weight loss to be healthy!
2 Skin Firming Creams
Skin firming lotion is definitely one of the best ways to tighten skin after weight loss and even after a baby. You want creams that are filled with herbal ingredients, aloe vera, and even some vitamin E and A. These are all ingredients that are designed specifically to increase the collagen and elastin in your skin!
SabrinaDoes this work on elderly I’m 64 years old ...
Your skin needs to be nurtured. Being out in the sun too long and too much exposure to hot and chlorinated water can loosen up your skin even more than it is now. Limit your exposure to both of these things, along with tanning booths and you'll see your skin start to firm up in no time! Besides cutting your risk of skin cancer, this is one of the best ways to deal with loose skin after weight loss.
4 Mineral/Salt Scrubs
Scientists think the reason that using sea salt scrubs (or other scrubs) helps tighten skin after weight loss is that they encourage increased blood flow, which in turn encourages healthy, elastic skin. Whatever the exact reason, it does seem to work for many people. Try using a good scrub in the shower twice a day, at least three times a week, and see if it helps you! Mineral scrubs are also extremely good, just a little bit of sand can go a very long way toward helping you deal with loose skin.
5 Use a Collagen Cream
Another way to tighten skin after weight loss is to keep it nourished with a collagen cream, one designed specifically to cope with loose, sagging skin. They can be pricey, but well worth the expense when they work. Note that collagen creams won’t work for everyone (nothing ever does), so ask family and friends for recommendations before you invest in a range of products that aren't effective. Reviva Labs Elastin and Collagen Body Firming Lotion is definitely one of the best and it's available on Amazon.com for under $10.00!
6 Try Massage Therapy
I have a particular friend who swears her weekly massage therapy helped her tighten skin after weight loss. She complained of sagging skin, particularly on her upper arms and upper thighs, and is delighted to show off her non-saggy parts now. Why not give it a go? At best, it will help tighten your skin, at worst, you get an invigorating massage. Massages help stimulate the blood cells and really help your skin feel much firmer!
7 Spa Wrap
Another friend tells me his skin was tightened when he got a seaweed wrap at a local spa, and now he goes every 6 to 8 weeks to enjoy its benefits. Online, I've found rave reviews on the local spa he frequents and not a single negative review. Find a spa near you and do some digging. Yelp is a great place to start! You can read reviews from people who have actually been there. Seaweed isn't the only wrap to try either, so ask the spa experts and see what would be great for skin tightening!
8 Add Weight Training
Chances are, you used weight training to help you get to your goal weight, but if not, it’s time to add it to help tighten skin after weight loss! If you’re worried about looking overly buff and masculine, don’t be. Simply add weights to your workout three times a week, because building toned, lean muscle under your skin will help it look tighter and sexier!
9 Hydrate Yourself
Healthy skin is hydrated skin! Adding at least 8 glasses of water a day to your diet can make all of the difference in the world. Hydrating yourself after a workout makes sure that your body stays hydrated. When your body is hydrated, it shows on your skin, making it look glowing and tight. In fact, downing plenty of water is one of the best ways to tighten skin after you lose weight.
10 Practice Yoga
Yoga will help you relieve stress, be more flexible, lose weight, and can even help your skin rebound after weight loss! The key to yoga, and any other regimen for that matter, is to start off slow. Within a few weeks, you’ll be surprised how much more flexible you, and your skin, can be. There are tons of yoga classes that you can take or you can even do it at home!
11 Raw Foods
There are a lot of vitamins and nutrients that can be cooked out of foods. To avoid that, why not add some raw foods to your diet? Raw foods can be anything from fruits to veggies to even fish (sushi anyone?). Once you add these raw foods to your diet, you'll see how quickly your skin tightens up!
12 Do Calisthenics
Calisthenics are great for building lean muscle, great for your heart, and they’re even great for tightening skin after weight loss! Add a round of calisthenics to your weekly routine, three or four times a week, and enjoy the jumping jacks, push-ups, windmills, and more…they can be fun, and they’re helping your skin readjust at the same time. Exercise is one of the best natural ways to tighten loose skin.
13 Lean Protein
Adding lean protein to your diet will also help tighten skin after weight loss. How? First of all, it helps build lean muscle, which will make you appear more toned (well, you WILL be more toned!). But lean protein also contains collagen and other nutrients your skin needs to stay elastic. Protip: consuming lean protein after a workout will help boost the muscle-building effect.
14 Avoid Junk Food
Foods that are high in fat are a dieter’s worst nightmare on two fronts. First, obviously, they can wreck your diet. Second, they do your skin no favors. If you’re trying to keep a healthy weight or tighten skin after weight loss, avoid foods that are high in fat. Even the ones that taste really, really good. ESPECIALLY the ones that taste really, really good! Studies have shown that these high-fat foods can even be addictive...so stay away!
15 Fruits & Veggies
The USDA recommends we eat five servings of fresh fruits and veggies every day, to give us nutrients we need and to help us maintain a healthy weight. But did you also know these five servings will help tighten up your skin? Whether your weight loss is from a pregnancy or you're doing it just because you want to, adding these fruits and veggies is the best idea! The reason they work to help tighten up your skin is because most fruits and veggies have a high water content, which your skin needs to rebound.
16 Avoid Sulfates and Harsh Soaps
Sulfates are used in lots of body washes, soaps, and shampoos because they’re good, cheap cleansers and they make lush lather. But sulfates can also over-dry and irritate skin, stripping it of vital moisture and making it less elastic. If you’re trying to tighten skin after weight loss, shop around for sulfate-free products. L’Oreal offers a great line, for a very reasonable price.
17 Don’t Tan
The tanning process is horrible for your skin, especially when you’re using a tanning bed to boost your melanin. You might think it makes your skin look smoother and healthier, but it doesn't. Wear sunblock when you’re outdoors, and don’t fake and bake. You’ll see your skin tighten more quickly, and you’ll also avoid a greater risk of skin cancer.
18 Rinse Away Chlorine
Excess chlorine from swimming pools and hot tubs can dry out your skin, making it less elastic, and less likely to rebound after weight loss. If you swim to keep fit, be sure to shower immediately after, and use cleaners designed to remove chlorine and moisturize your skin. Also, remember that you don't need HOT water to rinse chlorine away, use warm water instead, which will also help keep your skin hydrated (hot water can strip away natural oils). Taking the right kind of shower is one of the best answers for how to tighten loose skin.
19 Castor Oil
Castor oil is another great natural way to tighten up your skin. Weird right? But if you combine a little castor oil with some lemon juice or even lavender oil and rub it into your skin, you'll see your skin start to tighten. To be honest, this is one of the greatest ways that you can tighten up your skin! Only use a few tablespoons of castor oil every night and you'll see a difference!
20 Essential Oils
Whether you've lost weight because you were pregnant or you just want to get to your goal weight, tightening up your skin is so important! Essential oils can really help your skin tighten up if you are using the right ones! Lavender essential oil is truly one of the best! Just a few teaspoons every night on your stomach can work wonders! This is another great natural way to tighten loose skin after weight loss.
21 Tightening Mask
I know that it might be weird, but have you ever tried to put a mask on your stomach? Tightening masks work wonders for your face, why wouldn't they work for your stomach? For me, I use a single egg white mask on my stomach at least three times a week. You let it dry and then rinse it off and gently scrub it dry. Within a few months (it does take a while), you'll see a difference!
22 Tightening Astringent
A lot of people forget that they can make their very own tightening astringent which can really tighten up your skin and give you the results you are looking for. A little honey, some rosemary, and some witch hazel can go a very long way! I typically do a teaspoon of honey, a tablespoon of witch hazel, and some chopped up rosemary and use that on my stomach. Rosemary has been known to improve circulation and will really help your skin tighten up!
23 Almond Oil
If you are looking for a really great moisturizer that will rid you of stretch marks and tighten up your skin, almond oil is the key! Just a small amount of this rubbed along your stomach every day will really make your skin super soft and tighten it up! Use about a teaspoon of this every night and your skin will look so much better!
24 Soy Protein
Did you know that soy protein and even aloe vera are two things that can really help boost the elastin in your skin and make it tighten up? You can add soy to your diet and even find creams that have both of these ingredients in them. If you apply that cream twice a day, every day, you'll see quite a bit of difference on your skin!
25 Cleanser
Finally, you need to think about what you are using to cleanse your skin with. Did you know you can make your own cleanser? Mixing things like sugar, milk, and a few mashed up fruits such as grapes, papaya, berries of any kind, and even oranges can all tighten up your skin when used on a regular basis.
Follow these tips to tighten your skin after weight loss and you’ll be bikini ready in no time…well, at least within 6 months! You can do it! Or perhaps you already have? Which of these tips worked to tighten your skin after weight loss? Or do you have another skin care tip to share? Please do share!
Sabrina #2 Does this work on elderly I’m 64 years old
Natural These are great tips!
Ashleigh Yes! Castor oil works! Tried it!
Amanda Thank you! About the hydration, the Almond Oil, and more.
trina I use coconut oil pure and it is a solid when it is pure but warms up quickly in your hands and put it all over even your face and hair mask it is the best for everything
Mitch These are great tips!
RaniSami Castor oil is one of those oils that just sits on top and is greasy..no idea how one could possibly apply that to their body without making a sticky oily mess everywhere including ur clothes?
Megalomania Healthy eating & weight/body resistance are most effective for me.
Nivin I have lost a lot of weight after giving birth to my second child. My main problem is the stomach n belly area. I do exercise n going on diet however this area is really irritating my provress i n a great way :( any suggestions??
Mark I've been using the Lady Soma Firming Lotion on my face and I absolutely love it. I have noticed a difference with respect to some wrinkles and slightly sagging skin. So far, it has been the best for my face. Not only does it help with sagging skin and wrinkles, but my face is soft and does not break out.
Thida Thanks for useful tips :)))
Ginny It says 2 teaspoons lavender oil. That makes no sense. If it is pure essential oil, 2 teaspoons is about $10. The curative effects of lavender, if pure, should only take a few drops to make the natural chemical changes, Anyone have experience with this?
Kim @Ginny Edmunds, as an aromatherapist i have to say you are quite right, 10 drops in 10 ml would be plenty in fact 5 would do.
Carmen What's the best firming cream is the best to use ?
Lora789 Useful tips.
LeineMantovani I received DermalMD Serum as a gift after asking my mother in law to help me get rid of or lighten my stretch marks...I started using and within a week I was seeing results...I was amazed and so happy to have finally found a product that works
faria hello!
LoveKitty17 Add commentcan you do this while loosing weight?I'm sure you could but will it work better then waiting after you've lost the weight.I weigh 300 pounds but since ive started my diet I believe I have lost some weight.I been counting calories, I have been eating more fruit and proteins for breakfast.I also have been walking on the treadmill for an hour and have been dancing. I'm working in working out twice a day.will I still have some loose skin if I do this while I'm working out now till I loose as much as I want?
LoveKitty17 @LoveKitty17, oh and I'm in my early twenties
Jerry I am 61 years old. I lost 20 pounds over the last 6 months. I used the Dr. OZ diet, cut out almost all fat, gave up sugar in any form. I used to wear a size 36 now I wear a size 30
maggie I've been looking for an answer on how to tighten skin for a while now and finally found this site. Just wanted to say thnk you!
Celeste Just wanted to add that cla protects your muscle when you are loosing weight.
Celeste For the older women- thyroid imbalance or hormone imbalance might thwart your weight loss efforts. I am 38. I have always been thin, but over the years I started gaining wait on my outer hips. Then I hit my mid thirties and it just got ugly. Ballooned out and got all distorted looking. I had to take an honest look at what I considered a reasonably healthy diet and realize I ate too much junk food. And taking an estrogen reducing supplement helped alot. The biggest help besides reducing junk food was taking mrm smart blend- it is a combo of fish oil, cla and Gla.
stella on pic 25 the girl looks fake look at the skin to much photoshop and makeup but she does look nice
Nadine The only thing I know and I have proven it myself are yoga and excercise other than that, I dont think it will work. Maybe it will but it will take a very long time to get the results you desired.
Frenchdoll MSM supplements are great for skin tightening. I'm surprised they're not on the list.
Aqilah @Frenchdoll, can i know where to buy msm supplements? and msm stands for? thank you.
Aliza Wow! I have to try these
natbug hey im natalie, iv lost 14lb (a quarter of my weight loss goal) my skin seems ok now but loose skin is a fear as I lost this first stone in less than a month, going to try sit ups, swimming, lots of body lotion and maybe some weights in the hope my skin keeps up with the rest of me! (btw 24, no babies)
Nicole Would you recommend using these methods WHILE losing weight, not just after? I've lost about 10kgs recently but have about 40kg more to go, a goal of another 25kgs before Melbourne which I feel is realistic but very worried about how my skin will cope with it all.....
Karin Hi, I just wanted to comment on 9. because the picture makes me uneasy. The girl looks so skinny, barely has a waist! She may be perfectly healthy but even so I think the picture sends the wrong message to people who have lost/are trying to lose weight. First of all it's unrealistic to look like that and still be healthy, unless you're naturally that thin, and I don't think anyone should strive to look like that. This is in no way criticism towards the writer, but a concern about an image that feels misplaced in this article. Other than that I thought the article was very interesting and well written!
Alison I'm only twenty one and I weighed 220 pounds a year ago. June of this year I reached my first goal of 160 pounds. c: I was so proud, but I still feel like my body is disgusting due to my WRINKLY stomach! D: There's a lot of loose skin on my tummy despite the fact I lost weight at a reasonable pace and have managed to keep it off without trying much. I'm going to tackle my next goal of 140 pounds soon, which seems like it would be my perceived ideal weight for my height and frame, but I'm terrified of my stomach looking even more gross! I didn't even have a baby and sagging skin and stretch marks everywhere. Thanks for this article! I'll have to start trying the things in the list that I haven't tried yet. :)
Kimmie Dry body brushing helps a lot. Google it
crystal I just had a 10 pound baby whi stretched my stomach anf gave me stretch marks bad. I weight 100 pounds so I don't want to loose weight but does abyone know how I coukd get rid of these stretch marks?
Heather Hi! These are some great ways to tighten up that skin for you! :)
Kasd I've been battling loose tummy skin for almost 8 months now. My son was 10lbs when he was born I was back to my normal weight within a month; and now I'm stuck with a loose belly :( ... I will definitely try some of these ideas; hope they work .. I really want my summer body back lol
Heather Aww! I bet it will come back! :)
Cissy I've lost nearly a hundred pounds in the last year and a half, work out almost everyday (for 45 mins to an hour), and eat as healthy as possible. I've actually dipped below my ideal weight, but still have sagging skin on my abdomen, my thighs and butt. In clothes, I look great, but when the time comes for intimacy, I want to turn all of the lights off and hide under the covers. I'm 55, but am told I look young for my age. My intense workout hasn't helped with the loose skin, so maybe the earlier comment was on the money, so to speak. Find a plastic surgeon and make friends...
Funkydivas Super
Paula I have had three c sections and left with a visible scar and protruding fat above the scar. I used to believe it will always be there until my Pilates instructor told me that's not true and she too had 2 c sections and has a flat belly. It's a complete lifestyle change, a long committed prcess with a combination of avoiding fat foods, sugar and too much carbs, a daily ab routine, cardio 3 times a week and weights three times a week. I also put Saran Wrap around the belly to make it sweat more. Regular exfoliation to remove dead cells and normal moisturizing cream. The only gimmick is commitment.
AWP @Jazzy wonderfully put! I've had 3....twins that were still born 9 months ago! Got a lot of excess weight I'm fighting to get rid of! But no matter what, if you don't give up, you'll be successful! Thank you for sharing your story with us! It's inspirational for me! Wonderful! Keep up the good, hard work
Hayley How do u get rid of massive thighs
Heather Hi! Have you tried the tips above? :)
Deana Do crutches and a medicine ball n I also heard that the wrap works because u sweat in it but everybody is different
Michele The flu took me off my weekly workout, but definitely going to try these tips as I get back on track.
Denise Take it easy when you start working out again. Get well soon, Michele!
kc I keep reading, if you lost weight fast you will have loose skin. Well, I lost weight slow and i still have the loose skin. So it don't matter how slow or fast you lost it.
Denise You're right, KC. It also depends on the elasticity of your skin.
Jogalog It's definitely good advice not to lose weight too quickly and to focus on the positive. You've just had a baby and looking after the baby is far more important than body image.
Heather Awesome advice! :)
Miss After I had my daughter I was stressing about my stretch marks and loose skin like crazy. Here's a homemade sugar scrub that worked wonders for my skin! Olive oil (you can substitute for another oil if you prefer) sugar, lemon juice (squeeze half a lemon)...Enjoy! Use this up to 3 times a week. Post shower use a moisturizing lotion with vitamins A
Denise Thanks for sharing!
Heather Hi Brandy! You've just got to keep clicking. :) There is 25!
aMiNa I just had a baby on New Years! I'm 21 but I have some I have some stretch marks! I'm def Gona try this
Heather Aww! Definitely! Let us know how it works for you!
Shannon Definitely need to do this
Aletheia How about for early 20s? What if it is cellulite?
Heather Hi Aletheia! All you need is some toning -- these tips still work! :)
Prudence gonna try it this stuff out and let u no how it goes
Heather Let us know how it goes!
doritos after loosing a lot of weight or pregnancy there is only one way to improve the skin condition- laser treatment-CO2, fraxel etc. improves collagen production. No creams, gels or other body wraps will help- waste of time and money.. Resistance training another thing (working out with weights). Forget about diets and only cardio, that will only make your skin more saggy.
ashleen I just turned 24 and my stomach lilooks like a 45 yr old womans no matter how much weight i loose by belly hangs due to having a baby at such a young age 15 my weight has been from obese to ill skinny what could i do plz help
Heather Hi! Have you tried any of the tips above? They work!! :)
Patrice Hay, im glad there are posts like this. I just lost a little over 125pounds I need my whole body toned please help!!
Heather Have you tried any of the tips above? They totally work! :)
Asrai's Go to a tanning salon that offer red light therapy; it a great way to tighten and repair skin.
Denise Thanks for the tip. :)
Christine i have had 6 children ranging from 19 to 2 and i have alot of excess skin all over my body i wouldn't be so upset but the smell it creates is horrible no matter how much you shower and spray deodaurant i have been told i have to get my bmi to 25 with the amount of loose skin i have it not going to happen i feel so depressed about how i look i don't go out unless i have to
Heather Hi Christine! I bet that you are absolutely beautiful, no matter what. I just wanted to let you know that. :)
Shannon Im 42 years old and had three children. I lost 47 lbs and I do have some extra skin on my belly. But it has redused from when I first started losing weight. Exercise and eating healthy will help your skin tighten up. Even if I have a little extra I'm still glad I lost the weight.
Heather That's so awesome!! Congrats on the children and the weight loss, that is truly something to be proud of!
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