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How to Get Rid of Loose Skin

Written by an Expert Aesthetic Content Writer Lisa.
Reviewed by Expert Medical Director Dr. Raj Thethi
Published on: June 28, 2025
Skin

How to Get Rid of Loose Skin

Have you recently lost a significant amount of weight, become a parent, or noticed your skin sagging due to the effects of ageing? These are common concerns affecting both men and women, especially when someone has undergone significant body changes. It can get frustrating, after all your efforts of getting things into shape, excess skin just feels like a bitter reminder of the past. 

However, here’s the good news: one can get rid of loose skin. Whether through natural cures, non-surgical skin-tightening procedures, or surgery, there are numerous ways to restore the skin to its original shape. 

In this complete guide, we’ll break down everything you need to know about how to get rid of loose skin, why it happens, and what truly works, based on trusted research and expert-backed solutions.

What Causes Loose Skin?

Before we discuss how to tighten loose skin, let’s look at the reasons why this occurs

1. Rapid Weight Loss

Quite simply, with rapid weight loss (more than 2 pounds per week), your skin can struggle to shrink in tandem with fat loss. Depending on the severity of the weight loss, the skin may take months to recover and can sometimes not recover without assistance.

2. Pregnancy

Pregnancy tends to stretch the skin, especially in the abdominal and breast areas. After getting back to your pre-pregnancy weight, some women can regain their shape in a matter of weeks; others can take many months to recover; and some may never recover from their loose skin from pregnancy.

3. Ageing

As we age, we lose collagen and elastin, the two proteins that help keep skin firm. This can result in sagging skin and wrinkles.

4. Sun Damage And Smoking

Most of us are aware that UV rays and smoking break down collagen in the skin, and the breakdown of this collagen can lead to skin that is more prone to sagging.

Can Loose Skin Go Away Naturally?

Let’s start with non-invasive and at-home strategies to strengthen loose skin.

1. Consume Foods That Support Skin Health

To help skin tightening from the inside, make sure to consume foods that contain:

  • Protein, which helps produce collagen
  • Vitamin C – a powerful antioxidant that helps with lasticity
  • Omega-3 Fatty Acids – fatty fish, walnuts and flaxseed

Tip: Collagen supplements can help restore lost skin architecture over time.

2. Strength Training Exercises

Gaining muscle may fill in some of the volume underneath your skin to make the appearance of loose skin less prominent, especially in the arms, legs, and buttocks.

Strength training options include:

  • Resistance band exercises
  • Body-weight squats and push-ups
  • Weight lifting

Note – Regular exercise may also improve blood flow and skin tone.

3. Use Firming Creams and Lotions

Some over-the-counter skin care products contain:

  • Retinoids
  • Peptides
  • Hyaluronic acid

All of these may help, over time, tighten loose skin, especially when used in conjunction with a good skin care routine.

4. Stay Hydrated

Staying hydrated means healthier skin, and healthier skin is more elastic. If your skin is hydrated, it may diminish sagging. Drink enough water and use moisturisers regularly. 

5. Dry Brushing and Massage

Using a natural bristle brush to lightly exfoliate your skin may help with blood circulation and stimulate collagen. Using your own massage oil, like coconut or almond oil, may also be effective and feel nice. 

How to Get Rid of Loose Skin After Losing Weight: Non-Surgical Options

After losing weight, many individuals struggle with loose skin, primarily in the belly, arms, thighs and face. While surgery is an option, it is not the only option. Non-surgical treatment can tighten skin by stimulating collagen and improving the texture. Below, we will explore the most effective and gentle non-surgical treatment available today.

1. Radiofrequency (RF) Skin Tightening

Radiofrequency stimulates collagen and elastin in the deeper layers of skin with carefully controlled heat. It tightens loose skin and improves the texture of your skin over time. RF skin tightening is safe for a wide variety of areas, including the abdomen, inner arms, face, and neck. 

It is a non-invasive form of body contouring that requires no recovery time, and results improve with multiple sessions. Common RF-based procedures include FaceTite and Morpheus8.

2. Ultrasound Skin Tightening (Ultherapy)

Ultrasound skin tightening (made popular by Ultherapy) uses sound waves to tighten sagging skin by reaching the deeper layers of tissue. The neck, face, and chest area respond the best, but can also be useful on loose skin in other areas. Ulthermoya treatment is usually a one-time procedure, with results that build over the subsequent 2-6 months. 

The ultrasonic patches on your skin may feel warm and just slightly tingly, but there is no need for recovery time at all, and you will be able to see subtle, natural-looking skin tightening.

3. Laser Skin Tightening

Laser devices (like Fraxel or UltraClear) use light energy to heat the tissue layers while stimulating collagen at the same time. Laser skin tightening benefits include improving fine lines and wrinkles, loose skin, and skin texture. 

It can be used on the face, stomach and hands and requires minimal pain or recovery time. You can expect to see some results by 2-3 treatments, and skin improvement could continue for a number of months while your skin rebuilds collagen.

4. RF Microneedling (e.g., Morpheus8)

RF microneedling utilises very small needles along with radiofrequency to stimulate your body’s natural collagen repair process. RF microneedling is a non-invasive procedure, and it helps with skin laxity, improving the appearance of stretch marks, tightening and firming skin (especially on the face and neck). You will typically require 3–4 appointments spaced a month apart for optimal results. This is safe for all skin colours.

5. Cryolipolysis (CoolSculpting)

Cryolipolysis, also known as CoolSculpting, is a procedure that utilises the application of freezing temperature to destroy stubborn pockets of fat under the skin. True, it is primarily a fat-reduction procedure, but it can also tighten the skin a little bit in the treated areas, like the tummy or thighs. 

The procedure is non-invasive and requires no downtime, with each treatment lasting 30–60 minutes. Results will show more effectively after 1–3 months, particularly if you are incorporating exercise and hydration into your lifestyle.

6. Thread Lifts

Thread lifts use dissolvable threads inserted under the skin to gently lift mild to moderate sagging skin areas. As the threads dissolve, they encourage collagen to form, paying it forward for more sustained firmness. This is a quick outpatient procedure and works well for jawlines, cheeks and necks. 

There is minimal downtime and recovery, and results last 1-2 years. It is a great alternative to surgery if you are looking for a lift.

How to Remove Excess Skin: Surgical Procedures

If you’ve lost a significant amount of weight—especially over 100 pounds—non-surgical treatments may not be enough. In such cases, surgical procedures are the most effective way to remove excess skin and reshape your body. These surgeries offer dramatic results but do involve recovery time, scars, and some risks. Common options include:

A body lift reduces excess skin from the abdomen, hips, thighs, and buttocks. This procedure is best for those who have lost massive amounts of weight and are looking to reshape their lower body completely. The procedure will reshape the body, but you will be recovering for a few weeks afterwards. 

1. Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty)

A tummy tuck will take away sagging skin around the belly and tighten your abdominal wall. You will end up with a flatter, firmer stomach for the first time ever after having children. The recovery process will take about 2-4 weeks after surgery, and the scars will be low on the abdomen so that they will not be visible when wearing clothes. 

2. Arm Lift (Brachioplasty)

An arm lift will remove the excess skin and fat from the upper arms and reduce the appearance of “bat wing” arms that may have formed after weight loss.  The upper arms will have a more toned appearance. The recovery process should take about 1-2 weeks after surgery. 

3. Thigh Lift

A thigh lift will take away the excess skin on the inner or outer thighs while maintaining your leg’s shape and comfort level, especially after weight loss.  The recovery period normally takes about 2-3 weeks after surgery.

4. Breast Lift (Mastopexy)

Raises sagging breasts and removes extra skin. This surgery reshapes the breast without implants (unless desired). Ideal for post-weight-loss or post-pregnancy changes.

5. Lower Body Lift

    Targets the lower back, buttocks, and outer thighs. It’s often combined with a tummy tuck for full lower-body transformation. Improves both look and function.

    6. Upper Body Lift

    Removes loose skin from the chest, back, and underarms. Commonly done after massive weight loss, especially when there’s excess skin around the bra line or upper back.

    Final Thoughts

    Learning how to get rid of loose skin is not just about quick fixes but also about adopting sustainable habits and choosing the right treatments for your body. Whether you want to get rid of loose skin after weight loss or explore natural remedies, consistency, patience, and a healthy lifestyle will lead to the best results.

    Everyone’s skin is different, and no “one-size-fits-all” solution exists. So, don’t get discouraged. With the right approach, you can tighten loose skin and feel confident in your body again.

    And if you’re struggling with areas of stubborn fat that resist all efforts, it’s worth exploring advanced options that specifically target stubborn fat and support skin tightening simultaneously.

    FAQs

    1. How long does it take to tighten loose skin after weight loss?

    It depends on age, skin quality, and weight loss, but generally, it can take several months to a year with consistent skincare, exercise, and hydration.

    2. Can loose skin go away without surgery?

    Yes, mild to moderate loose skin can improve with strength training, collagen-boosting foods, and non-invasive treatments like radiofrequency therapy.

    3. What’s the best treatment for loose skin on the stomach?

     A combination of core exercises, skin-firming creams, and professional treatments like ultrasound therapy or laser tightening works best for stomach skin.

    4. Does drinking water help tighten loose skin?

     Yes, staying well-hydrated helps improve skin elasticity, making it easier for the body to get rid of loose skin naturally.

    5. Is it possible to get rid of excess skin after extreme weight loss?

    In many cases, though, severe sagging may require surgical options like a tummy tuck or body lift to completely remove excess skin.

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    About Dr. Raj Thethi - Medical Reviewer

    Dr. Raj Thethi

    Yorkshire Skin Centre in Leeds is a CQC-registered medical clinic. It is led by Dr Raj Thethi who completed his core surgical training in hospitals around West Yorkshire before branching into aesthetics. Dr Raj Thethi is a Northern Territory Regional Expert for an international dermal filler company called Teoxane. He also sits on their National UK Faculty.

    View all posts by Dr. Raj Thethi

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