SKINIPEDIA - Skin Obesity: Skin Elasticity and Weight Loss
Obesity and Skin Problems: Skin Elesticity and Weight Loss
Many people are worried that after significant periods of weight loss, that they will be left to deal with the accompanying problem of excess skin. This is truly only a concern for people who have a significant amount of weight of weight to lose, for example 100 pounds or more. However, if you have started an extreme body makeover, here are some tips to help return your skin to it’s original healthy condition:
Tip 1: Increase circulation- dry brushing
Using a dry brush on the body in the direction of the lymph flow (toward the heart) can help accelerate the flow of toxins out of the body. Lymph is the waste transport system for the circulatory system, and it does not have it’s own pump. Lymph has to be assisted in doing it’s job by artificial means at times. Use of a dry brush stimulates the circulatory system to remove waste and in turn, detoxify the body through the body’s primary form of detoxification, the skin. As toxins exit, skin returns to healthy consistency. Use a dry brush AM and PM, especially before showering, to help improve skin elasticity.
Tip 2: Start early
As you age your skin’s ability to regenerate itself slows down. Younger people will have a much easier time in getting their skin to return to normal after drastic weight loss. Begin by maintaining a healthy body weight early in life, and you will maintain good elasticity throughout your lifetime. By maintaining your weight, you will avoid having to deal with a larger problem later.
Tip 3: Lose weight slowly
By losing 1-2 pounds a week, you will help your skin to be able to recover more gradually. Skin takes time to stretch, and also takes time to return to normal. Follow a gradual weight loss regime in order to give your body the time and energy necessary to repair damage caused by excess weight. You will be rewarded by the longevity of your weight loss as well.
Tip 4: Topical hyaluronic acid
Hyaluronic acid is a moisture binder. When applied topically it prevents a process called Trans Epidermal Water Loss (TEWL). TEWL will affect your body’s ability to regenerate it’s skin as the live skin cells need to maintain a level of moisture in order to replicate properly. Hyaluronic acid can retain 1000 times it’s weight in water. By using products that have Hyaluronic acid in them you enhance your body’s ability to repair it’s own cells, thus enhancing healthy cell regrowth. Look for this ingredient in moisturizers or serums by it’s common name Sodium Hyaluronate.
Tip 5: Consider surgery as a last resort
After you have maintained your weight loss for a period of more than a year, you will see how much recovery the other tips have afforded your skin condition. Then, and only then, consider surgical intervention to remove the excess skin. If you attempt surgical intervention too early you lose the natural effect of having your body recover on it’s own, and results are much more consistent than surgical results. If you feel your body has exhausted it’s own resources, start by talking to some cosmetic surgeons and look very carefully at their before and after photos. See what they are offering to help with excess skin, and where the scars will be located post surgery. Many surgeons are very helpful in assisting with a surgical plan that will be optimally beneficial for their patients.
By following all these tips, you can maintain your optimum skin fitness, and help your skin to return to it’s normal, flexible state. Please consult your professional esthetician for more specific information regarding your condition.
This article brought to you by proprietor of the best facials in San Diego, Surface Esthetics of Del Mar, Michelle Macomber. Surface Esthetics was created by Michelle Macomber in 2006. After working in education for nearly a decade, Michelle designed her company to provide enhanced customer education and superior service within the Esthetics industry.