We all know the health advantages of weight reduction, and more importantly fat loss. However, with major weight reduction, in case of obese individuals, specially at a faster pace, almost at all times ends in loads of loose skin, hanging across the body.
Though loose skin just isn’t a problem when it comes to health as such, but it surely is a standard reason behind feeling of self-consciousness, especially when in public. This will ultimately result in a negative body-image, and affect the general quality of lifetime of a person.
Excessive loose skin may also pose a barrier to every day physical activity. The areas that hassle probably the most are the abdomen, upper arms, and buttocks.
The skin is the biggest organ within the human body and acts because the body’s first line of defence, protecting the inner organs from external trauma and pathogenic infections. It consists of three layers: the outermost layer called the epidermis, the thicker and elastic middle layer called the dermis, and the inner layer called the hypodermis. The dermal layer is what gives skin its strength and elasticity on account of the high contents of collagen and elastin fibres.
Viscoelasticitya reversible deformation property, allows the skin to stretch to a certain physiological limit under physical stress after which return to its resting state once the load is removed. Sliding and realignment of collagen fibrils allows skin to deform while maintaining its integrity and stopping damage, while elastic fibres will return skin to its resting state after the external force is removed.
There are various aspects which might alter the structural and mechanical properties of collagen and elastin in skin. For e.g.
- Biological aspects – genetic reasons, cancer & aging,
- Physical aspects – mechanical stretching, stretch marks etc.
- Environmental aspects – excessive sun (UV) exposure, smoking
Skin is in a position to face up to certain amounts of physical force (measured as stress per unit area) by deforming (measured as strain or proportional deformation). Once the force is removed, skin returns to its resting state, which is feasible on account of the viscoelastic property of the skin. This biomechanical property of the skin is contributed by collagen and elastin fibrils.
A classic example could be general weight gain, or pregnancy, where the skin has to expand to create space for increased growth, and it has to stay in that position for quite a while.
In such cases, the collagen & elastin fibres get damaged. Studies have shown that, skin of the patients with massive weight reduction is weak on account of lower density and thickness of collagen fibres and damage to its elastic fibres.
Studies also showed that, structural dermis alterations in case of massive weight reduction demonstrated collagenous remodelling, with consequent reduction of organized, structured, and directed fibres in favour of misaligned, and loosely arranged fibres. Weight loss was also related to increased skin elasticity.
As a results of all this, the surplus skin, post big weight reduction, doesn’t return to its original shape, and starts hanging. More the burden you gain, more stretched the skin proteins get, and better the possibilities of loose skin.
In order to avoid excessive loose skin, post weight reduction, or to enhance body composition, after an enormous weight reduction, keep within the mind the next points:
- Focus on gradual fat loss, not weight reduction. Aim ought to be to cut back fat percentage and construct lean muscle mass, along the way in which. In easy terms, aim to get fit & strong, not thin & weak.
- Performing Resistance/Strength training is probably the most effective strategy to goal fat, construct lean muscle, prevent loose skin, and improve body composition.
- Take collagen supplements if needed. Though there aren’t any studies on effectiveness of collagen complement on loose skin, post massive weight reduction. But, there are various studies on collagen and its protective effects on skin aging, damage on account of exposure to UV rays, reduce skin wrinkles.
However, in some cases, body-contouring surgery can have to be performed, to remove excessive loose skin. Such surgery is more common after weight reduction surgeries like bariatric surgery. In some cases, multiple surgeries must be performed over the span of 1-2 years in an effort to remove excess skin from different body parts.
