How To Tighten Loose Neck Skin After Weight Loss

Are you struggling with saggy neck skin after a successful weight loss journey? You are not alone, loose neck skin at 40 and beyond is a common concern that plagues many, and it can take a toll on your self-esteem especially if you are trying to look your youthful self beyond 50.

Fortunately, there are ways to tighten loose neck skin without relying entirely on surgery. Read on to discover these non-invasive ways to tighten loose neck skin naturally. 

 

What causes loose neck skin after weight loss?

Losing excess weight is a great achievement for many but for some, it comes with other challenges- like saggy loose skin. One of the problem areas for saggy skin is under the chin and this can be caused by several factors.

1.   Rapid fat loss

Ideally, weight loss should be a gradual journey that allows the skin to recover its elasticity as the body slims down. However, nowadays there are plenty of weight loss procedures, like bariatric surgery, that cause rapid loss of fat. When you do not lose weight slowly, this sudden loss of body fat leaves behind saggy skin that can be problematic to get rid of.

2.   Breakdown of collagen and elastin.

Collagen and elastin are the main proteins that maintain the skin's firmness and elasticity.  Ageing and rapid weight loss trigger the breakdown of these two proteins which can cause among other things saggy neck skin.

3.   Diminished skin elasticity

Skin elasticity or turgor refers to the amount of tension that maintains the tightness of your skin. Excess weight gain causes the skin to stretch and lose its elasticity. Prolonged obesity keeps the skin stretched and does not retract easily. Losing weight rapidly leaves behind stretched saggy skin that looks wrinkled and old.

4.   Genetics

If you are genetically predisposed to produce less collagen in your skin, you are more likely to suffer from loose skin after weight loss.

5.   Reduced moisture in the skin

Water helps the skin maintain its elasticity- which explains why pinching your hand above the fingers can tell if you are well hydrated or not. Improper hydration can lead to a lack of moisture in the skin, and this will cause the skin to lose its elasticity.

6.   A prolonged period of obesity

Putting on significant amounts of weight for prolonged periods leads to the loss of collagen and elastin, eventually leading to saggy neck skin.

7.   Harmful UV rays

Prolonged exposure to harsh sunlight, the source of harmful UV rays, can damage the skin by inhibiting collagen production. Exposure to UV rays for prolonged periods will also speed up aging and is one of the main causes of crepey skin over 50.

8.   Aging

With aging comes unwanted realities like the loss of elasticity on our skin due to diminished collagen and elastin production.

Will neck skin tighten with weight loss?

Loose neck skin after weight loss treatment can naturally tighten to some extent, although one has to be realistic about the results.  How long the neck takes to gain its skin elasticity depends on several factors;

• Age
• Genetics
• Skin elasticity
• Diet
• Exercise

Always have in mind that the amount of elasticity on the skin determines whether it tightens back after successful weight loss. Age and the period one has been overweight play a big role in whether their skin is elastic enough to retract back or not.  If loose neck skin

How can I tighten my neck skin naturally?

So, how do you tighten the skin on your neck after weight loss? Fortunately, there are natural ways to tighten loose neck skin after weight loss that don’t need you to spend hours and money under the knife. Most of it is changing how you live to maintain optimal weight and prevent future excess weight gain.

Lifestyle changes

One way to improve your lifestyle is by eating healthy foods that improve skin elasticity. Also, include foods that help in reducing oxidative stress on the skin and improving body hydration.

Collagen-rich foods

Aim to eat foods that are rich in vitamin C and amino acids (glycine and proline), and copper, the three main nutrients that boost collagen production.

For meat lovers, collagen-rich foods you can incorporate into your diet include beef bone or pork bone broth, chicken (with skin on), sardine, and organ meats like liver, kidneys, and heart.

Those going the vegan way can try berries, broccoli, aloe vera juice, and collagen-rich beverages like collagen lattes, collagen water, and smoothies. Alternatively, you can purchase hydrolyzed collagen, the supplement version of collagen, which you can add to your daily beverages- from coffee to smoothies.

Note: Consult a dietician before trying out any new foods in your diet. Find out what foods are safe for consumption and steer clear from those that can trigger allergic reactions- or may aggravate underlying conditions.

Drink plenty of water

There is a good reason why the body is 70% water. Proper hydration is necessary to maintain the skin's elasticity. Health experts always recommend drinking 8 to 13 glasses of water per day to keep your body and skin healthy.

Not much of a water person? No problem, you can replace the 8 glasses with water-rich fruits and vegetables. It includes veggies like cucumbers, broccoli, celery, and bell pepper. For fruits, add delicious options like pineapple, strawberries, oranges, peaches, and citrus fruits to your daily meals. 

Keep off sugar and processed stuff

We know how hard it is to let go of your sweet tooth, but the sacrifice is necessary if you want glowy skin over 50. Sugary food leads to weight gain as the body converts the excess sugar into unhealthy fats. Processed foods can trigger skin inflammation and scientific research also proves that over-processed food can exacerbate the negative effects of aging.

Exercise

Despite the love-hate relationship many of us have with the treadmill, exercising is still necessary to maintain the tightness and elasticity of your skin. We will talk more about exercises for tightening loose skin later on. Meanwhile, you could check out these yoga poses for tightening the skin that can help minimize loose neck skin.

Skincare routine for loose neck skin

Besides eating healthy and exercising, one also needs a solid skincare routine that helps maintain the elasticity of your skin.

You do not need to adapt to a complex skincare routine. It can be as simple as cleansing and exfoliating your face with a special focus on the neck area. Do not forget to add a natural organic moisturizer to hydrate and nourish the skin with healthy ingredients to keep it plump and glowy. 

Neck exercises and massage therapy

There are specific exercises that will help tone the muscles in the neck area. These easy exercises are said to strengthen and improve the flexibility of the neck muscles and improve the overall appearance of the neck skin. We do encourage you to consult a healthcare professional before trying out these exercises.

Chin lifts

Sit up straight and lift your chin upwards with your mouth closed. Stretch your chin as if you are reaching to the ceiling with it. Hold that stretch for seconds then relax. You should feel the stretch in your next if you do it right, and doing several repetitions will help tone the front neck muscles.

Neck rotation

Start with your head facing forward. Now slowly rotate it to the right moving your chin towards the shoulder. Hold that pose for a few seconds before relaxing. Now rotate your neck towards the left again reaching your chin towards the shoulder. Relax and repeat this exercise to strengthen neck muscles.

Neck stretch

Start by sitting or standing with your back stretch. Gently tilt your head forward until your chin touches your chest- if you cannot touch the chest just point your chin towards your chest and hold that pose. Next, tilt your head backward pointing your face towards the ceiling, and hold that pose.

Thirdly,  tilt your neck towards your right shoulder while pressing your left hand down to feel the stretch on the left side of your neck. Hold the pose for a few seconds before relaxing. Now tilt your neck towards the left while pressing your right hand down to feel the same stretch on the right.

Resistance training

This one is a little different from the other four. Start by placing your hand above your forehead then push the head forward as you push your hand back. This creates a resistance that will be felt at the back of your neck. Hold the pose for a few seconds before relaxing.

Now place your hand at the back of your head and push it forward as you push your head backward. You should feel the stretch in the front neck muscles. Hold the pose, relax, and repeat both exercises.

How do you tighten skin after weight loss with surgery?

What if you try the above and are struggling with sagging neck skin? At this point, there is no harm in seeking surgical methods that will tighten the excess skin under your chin. Below are common surgical procedures to tighten loose neck skin after weight loss.

Liposuction

This is a surgical procedure for removing excess fat under the skin. The doctor makes tiny incisions and then connects a suction device that pulls the excess fat out. Liposuction is only for removing excess body fat and will not address sagging neck skin. It is often combined with other skin tightening procedures for best results.

Neck lift

Platysmaplasty or neck lift is a surgery that addresses loose skin and muscle laxity under the neck and around the jawline. Surgical incisions are made under the skin or behind the ears giving access to the underlying skin tissues. Excess skin is removed, the remaining skin repositioned, and muscles tightened to give the neck a youthful appearance.

Botox treatment

Botox can be used to clear the vertical lines under the neck caused by muscle contractions. A botox injection will temporarily paralyze the neck muscles, reducing muscle contractions, and therefore clearing neck bands. This procedure makes the neck look smoother.

Cervicoplasty

A surgical procedure that targets the neck skin area. A trained doctor makes incisions below the chin to remove excess skin. Incisions can be made behind the ears as well to remove saggy neck skin. Cervicoplasty is often combined with a neck lift to address loose neck skin and muscle laxity.

Final words

Tightening loose neck skin after weight loss is a common concern for many individuals. While it may not be possible to completely reverse loose skin without surgical intervention, there are several non-surgical methods, and lifestyle changes, that can help improve the appearance of the neck area.

 

Understanding the causes of the loose neck skin, such as loss of fat, collagen breakdown, reduced skin elasticity, genetics, duration of excess weight, and sun exposure, can guide you in choosing the most appropriate strategies for addressing saggy neck skin.

Eating a healthy diet rich in antioxidants and collagen-promoting nutrients helps maintain skin elasticity. A good diet must be combined with exercises that target the neck muscles to improve skin tightness and elasticity. 

Incorporating targeted neck exercises and massage techniques into your routine can help tone the neck muscles, improve blood circulation, and promote lymphatic drainage. These exercises and massages can contribute to a more defined and tightened neck appearance.

 

In cases where non-surgical methods do not provide the desired results, or when there is a significant amount of excess skin, surgical options may be considered. Procedures such as neck lift, liposuction, cervicoplasty, or Botox injections can be performed by a qualified plastic surgeon to address loose neck skin and create a more youthful and contoured neck.

 

By taking proactive steps and seeking professional advice, you can work towards improving the appearance of your neck and enhancing your self-confidence.