How Can I Fix Skin Elasticity Issues After Weight Loss?

I want to know about my skin elasticity. I am 18 years old and 5’7″ tall. I went from 275 pounds to 185 pounds in 9 months and several parts of my body now has loose skin that hangs and I can’t stand it. I have only been overweight for about 4 years and would like to know if my skin will ever return back to normal?

First off, congratulations on your successful weight loss! Losing 90 pounds in 9 months is truly impressive. If you have not already done so, I encourage you to submit your weight loss story in the success stories portion of ShapeFit. It is really inspirational to others to hear from those who have succeeded in their weight loss goals. You should take a lot pride in the fact that you have come so far so fast. Losing weight as quickly as you have does have an effect on the body and one of those effects may be some loose skin over certain areas of the body. Of course everyone’s body responds differently but there are several factors which play a role in how well the body retains its elasticity during weight loss.

Age
As we age our body gradually loses its ability to regenerate healthy cells. This is true regardless of what steps we take but this process can be slowed to a great extent by living a healthy lifestyle. Since you are young this shouldn’t represent as much of a problem as it may in someone who is 50 years old but it is important to be aware of the process when you are young so you can take the appropriate measures to protect your skin.

Nourishment
During your youth, it’s precisely the time when you need to get into the habit of nourishing your skin. It is much easier and far better to keep your skin healthy than it is to repair the damage caused by years of neglect. This means using good chemical-free moisturizers on a consistent basis along with using sunscreen. Of even greater importance is nourishing your body with a variety of nutrient dense fruits, vegetables and water. Lotions and sunscreens are fine but they do little to aid your body in repairing the daily damage your skin takes from the environment. Your body restores its cells from the inside out so providing your body with all of the powerful nutrients found in plants along with proper hydration is a thousand times more effective than even the most expensive cosmetic treatments.

Genetics
As with everything, genetics plays a big part in how well your skin will retain its elasticity. Some people’s skin simply stretches better than others. This is why some women get stretch marks from pregnancy and some don’t. Even with all the appropriate steps taken it may be that you will still have some loose skin after weight loss.

Time
By time, I mean not only the amount of time it took you to lose a certain amount of weight but also allowing your skin the time to recover from the weight loss. You may find that over the course of months or years that your skin will gradually tighten up. This is why it is so vital that you are nourishing it in every way possible, especially from the inside.

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