A flat tummy can have you feeling slim and confident. But, sometimes, losing a significant amount of weight in your abdomen can leave you with loose, sagging skin. Not only does this take away from your awesome results, but it can make you feel uncomfortable and insecure. The same can happen as you age — without any significant weight loss. So, what can you do to tighten up your stomach and reduce the appearance of loose skin?
What are the common causes of loose stomach skin?
Your skin contains collagen and elastin which gives it the ability to stretch and constrict as your weight fluctuates. So, when you’re working out and gaining muscle, your skin will adjust to make room for the change in muscle mass. But, as you age or during certain parts of your life, your collagen and elastin may deteriorate. This means your skin won’t be able to adjust as easily — leaving you with loose or sagging skin.
Your skin can appear loose in a number of places — from your face and neck to your stomach and legs. The most common reasons include the following:
- Age
- Weight loss
- Pregnancy
- Illness
- Chronic conditions — such as Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS)
7 Ways to Tighten Loose Skin on Stomach
1. Exercise
At-home treatment options are ideal for minor sagging. One such option is exercising. Any workouts that build muscle mass or tighten muscles — especially around the stomach — can reduce the appearance of loose skin. Try incorporating exercises two to three times per week, including:
- Weight training
- Resistance training
- Pilates
- Yoga
2. Topical Creams & Lotions
Another good option for minor skin sagging is topical creams, lotions, and serums. Whether prescription or over-the-counter, these ointments can help reduce the appearance of loose skin around the abdomen. Products that contain retinol can improve elasticity, while prescription creams boost collagen production. This can make prescription creams more effective than over-the-counter products.
3. Lifestyle Changes
Whether you spend a significant amount of time outdoors or smoke, your lifestyle choices can damage your skin — leaving it dry or lowering your collagen levels. This can greatly impact the elasticity of your skin. By using sunscreen with the appropriate amount of UV protection and quitting smoking, you can reverse the effects of loose skin. As your body naturally produces healthy cells, they’ll be able to replace the ones you’ve damaged — tightening the appearance of your stomach.
4. Laser Therapy
Laser therapy, such as the Fraxel Restore & Dual treatment, is a great non-invasive option for moderately loose skin. Laser therapy treatments boost collagen production and improve your overall skin tone. While results are more immediate and longer-lasting than home remedies, laser therapy may require multiple treatments. The laser can be used to tighten the skin in a number of body areas, including:
- Stomach
- Arms
- Neck
- Face
5. Radiofrequency Treatments
Radiofrequency is a noninvasive procedure that works by heating water inside the tissue of the abdomen area. This causes collagen molecules to respond — tightening the treated area. The contracted and tighter collagen then begins the rebuilding process. Post-treatment, new collagen is produced that is shorter, thicker, and more elastic — creating a better support foundation for your skin. And, unlike other solutions, results can last for several years depending on your lifestyle. This makes radiofrequency treatments ideal for patients with moderate to severe skin sagging. At Innovations Medical, we provide the Legend Progressive Skin Tightening and Thermage Skin Tightening treatments.
6. Laser Resurfacing
Like laser therapy, laser resurfacing also uses lasers, but it sends heat deeper into the lower layers of the skin. It’s designed to stimulate collagen growth below the skin surface while removing old, damaged skin cells. Then, it uses the body’s natural healing process to replace fractional areas with fresh, healthy, new skin. This process is repeated as your body tries to heal. Laser resurfacing is a great option for moderate to severe sagging. We offer two laser resurfacing solutions: Fraxel Restore and Dual Treatment and Clear + Brilliant Treatment.
7. Tummy Tucks
While most tummy tucks require risky surgical procedures, an Awake Tummy Tuck uses local anesthesia and is a great non-invasive option for moderate to severe skin sagging around the abdomen. An Awake Tummy Tuck eliminates risks often associated with plastic surgery — such as pulmonary emboli, organ complications, and infection. For these reasons, it typically requires a shorter recovery time than traditional tummy tucks. This means you can return to your regular daily routine within two or three days.
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.