Whether you’ve just lost a bunch of weight or you’re getting older and your skin is losing its elasticity, loose, saggy skin on your arms can make you feel insecure. You want to show off your slim arms, but your skin is getting in the way of your results. Fortunately, there are things you can do to tighten your loose skin and give you the Michelle Obama arms of your dreams.
What causes loose skin?
If you’ve recently lost a bunch of weight — especially in your arms — then you may notice that you have excess skin. But, working out isn’t entirely the culprit of your loose skin. Your skin contains collagen and elastin that allow it to stretch and constrict as your weight fluctuates. As you gain and lose muscle when working out, your skin will adjust to make room for the change in muscle mass. But, if your collagen and elastin are deteriorating, then your skin won’t be able to snap back — leaving you with loose or sagging skin.
There are many reasons you may be losing skin elasticity. The most common include:
- Age
- Weight loss
- Pregnancy
- Illness
- Chronic conditions — including Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS)
8 Ways to Tighten Loose Skin on Arms
1. Exercise
If you have minor sagging and are looking for modest results, there are options at home that you can try, such as exercise. Movement that builds muscle mass or tightens muscles can reduce the appearance of skin sagging. Try incorporating these exercises two to three times per week:
- Weight training
- Resistance training
- Pilates
2. Healthy Diets
It’s difficult to slim down your arms with exercise alone. Eating the right foods can help promote healthy weight loss and toning. Some foods can also promote collagen production, which helps with sagging skin. Try incorporating these foods into your diet:
- Wild salmon
- Spinach
- Quinoa
- Protein shakes
- Slow-roasted nuts
- Grass-fed beef
- Coconut
3. Topical Creams & Lotions
Over-the-counter or prescription topical creams and lotions can help reduce minor sagging. These solutions typically contain ingredients such as retinol to improve elasticity. Some prescription creams also boost collagen production, which can make prescription creams more effective than their over-the-counter alternatives.
4. Lifestyle Changes
Some lifestyle choices can leave your skin feeling dried out or diminish collagen production. From too much sun exposure to smoking, these choices can greatly impact the elasticity of your skin. Thus, by changing your lifestyle, you can help tighten your loose skin and boost collagen. If you’re planning to spend a significant amount of time outside, make sure you’re using sunscreen with the appropriate UV protection. If you smoke, work towards quitting. These small changes can have a big impact on your skin’s elasticity.
5. Laser Therapy
If you’re experiencing moderate skin sagging, then you may need non-invasive skin tightening options. Laser therapy treatments can help boost collagen production and improve your overall skin tone. While results are more immediate and longer-lasting than home remedies, it may require multiple treatments. Our Fraxel Restore & Dual treatment laser can be used to tighten your:
- Upper arms
- Stomach
- Neck
- Face
6. Fillers
While prohibitively expensive for the upper arms, fillers can be used to restore volume in your hands. A liquid is injected into your hands to tighten the skin and improve volume. This gives them a fuller appearance and reduces the appearance of aging. Fillers can be used for minor to moderate sagging, and results are immediate. Common fillers include:
7. Radio Frequency
Radiofrequency energy works by heating water inside the tissue of the treatment area. This causes collagen molecules to respond — tightening the treated area. The contracted and tighter collagen then kickstarts the rebuilding process. Over time, new collagen is produced that is shorter, thicker, and more elastic, which leads to creating a much better foundation for the skin. Unlike other options, results can last several years, depending on your lifestyle. This makes radiofrequency treatments ideal for patients with moderate to severe skin sagging. The most common radio frequency options include the Legend Progressive Skin Tightening and Thermage Skin Tightening treatments.
8. Laser Resurfacing
Laser resurfacing also includes lasers, but unlike laser therapy, it sends heat deeper into the lower layers of the skin. Laser resurfacing is a great option for moderate to severe sagging. It’s designed to stimulate collagen growth below the skin surface and remove old, damaged skin cells. It uses the body’s natural healing process to come and replace fractional areas with fresh, healthy, new skin. This process is repeated as your body tries to heal all these tiny microscopic areas. At Innovations Medical, we offer Fraxel Restore and Dual Treatment and Clear + Brilliant Treatment.
Contact Innovations Medical for Skin Tightening Treatments
If you’re suffering from loose and sagging skin, Innovations Medical is here for you. Our skilled professionals help you decide which treatment is best for you – keeping you informed and confident in the next steps. We’ve been helping our patients look and feel their best since 2005, and even our most advanced procedures are often minimally invasive.
To find out if skin tightening treatments are right for you, and to learn how Innovations Medical can improve your life, call us at (214) 643-8665 or schedule an appointment.