Losing weight can be a huge achievement, but sometimes the changes that come with it aren’t quite what you expected.
After significant weight loss, pregnancy, or weight loss associated with GLP-1 medications, some people notice that their skin does not appear as firm as it used to. You may notice looseness around the stomach, arms, thighs, hips or other areas.
This is completely different from simply having excess body fat. You can lose the weight and still be left with skin that looks loose or less firm.
The American Academy of Dermatology notes that people using GLP-1 medications can experience loose skin, particularly following significant weight loss. Rapid changes in body size can also contribute to stretch marks and changes in the skin.
Why does loose skin happen?
Your skin contains collagen and elastin, which help give it structure, strength and elasticity.
When your body increases in size during pregnancy or weight gain, the skin stretches to accommodate the change. When the body subsequently becomes smaller, the skin may not completely return to its previous appearance.
The same can happen following substantial weight loss.
How much loose skin someone experiences varies from person to person and can depend on factors such as age, genetics, how much weight was lost, how quickly the change occurred, pregnancy history and skin elasticity.
What can non-surgical treatments do?
Non-invasive body-contouring and skin-tightening treatments can be used to improve the appearance of skin and body contours.
At Curve-U, we use a combination of technologies depending on the area being treated and your individual goals.
Bipolar Vacuum RF
Bipolar Vacuum RF combines vacuum technology with radiofrequency energy.
The RF component heats the treatment area, while the vacuum action works on the tissue and can temporarily improve the appearance of circulation and cellulite.
Radiofrequency-based body-contouring technologies can produce heating of tissue and may contribute to a tighter-looking appearance through skin contraction and collagen-related effects.
RF
Radiofrequency uses controlled energy to warm the treatment area.
This is particularly useful when the concern is skin firmness and texture, rather than simply excess fat.
RF-based skin tightening generally produces gradual changes rather than an overnight transformation, as collagen-related changes take time.
Cavitation
Cavitation uses ultrasound technology and is primarily incorporated into our body-contouring treatments where excess fatty tissue is also a concern.
It is important to understand that loose skin and excess fat are not the same thing. If there is still a layer of excess fat beneath loose-looking skin, addressing the contour of the area may form part of a treatment plan.
Laser Lipolysis
Laser Lipolysis is incorporated into our body-contouring approach to areas where reducing the appearance of excess fatty tissue is part of the treatment goal.
The exact combination of treatments depends on the area and what we are trying to address.
How often should you come?
For clients focusing on loose or less-firm skin, treatments can be performed once or twice a week, depending on the treatment area and individual treatment plan.
Consistency is important because non-invasive skin-tightening treatments generally do not produce their full effect from a single appointment. Results can develop gradually, and multiple treatments may be needed.
Can these treatments remove loose skin completely?
This is important: non-surgical treatments cannot remove large amounts of excess skin.
If someone has significant amounts of hanging or excess skin, surgical body-contouring procedures may be more appropriate. The FDA specifically distinguishes non-invasive body contouring from surgical procedures that physically remove excess skin.
Our treatments are intended to improve the appearance of the treated area, not replace surgery where there is substantial excess skin.
Your weight-loss journey doesn’t end when the scale changes
Whether your weight loss happened naturally, after pregnancy, or with the help of a GLP-1 medication, your body can continue changing after the weight comes off.
If you’re left feeling that your skin doesn’t look as firm as you’d like, there are non-surgical options worth discussing.
At Curve-U, we can assess the area and determine whether Bipolar Vacuum RF, RF, Cavitation and/or Laser Lipolysis are appropriate for your particular concern.
Loose skin doesn’t mean your hard work wasn’t worth it. It simply means your body has changed, and your treatment approach may need to change with it.
Curve-U Slimming & Wellness Clinic
Loose skin after weight loss? Pregnancy? GLP-1 weight loss?
Book a consultation with us so we can assess the area and discuss a treatment plan suited to your goals.
Treatments available once or twice a week, depending on your treatment plan.
