Sagging Skin, Stretch Marks After Weight Loss

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Sagging Skin, Stretch Marks After Weight Loss

Question:

I am a fair skinned Black female, aged 50. I recently lost about 60 pounds, and I am going to lose more. Losing weight has been a boost to my overall appearance but I am getting stretch marks and a "sagging" look on my lower abdomen and upper arms. My face has also gotten a lot thinner. I have found beauty products at stores that help my face not to sag or wrinkle. What products or treatments are available to help my stomach and upper arms to appear less sagging and reduce the stretch marks?

Answer:

Congratulations on the weight loss! You will not only look better, but you will feel better and be healthier.

If we are young when we lose weight, our skin shrinks back to fit our new body. This is because of our skin's "elasticity." In later years, our skin begins to lose its elasticity, and skin sagging occurs.

Unfortunately, no creams or lotions will remove stretch marks or shrink sagging skin. They also cannot significantly help stretch marks that develop from weight gain.

Pink stretch marks will gradually fade in color and become less noticeable. It is important to maintain good skin care by using gentle, unscented skin cleansers and moisturizers. A healthy diet, exercise, adequate rest, and sun protection are also important.

There are various techniques using laser or intense pulsed light that may be useful for tightening wrinkled skin. They are less effective, however, on truly sagging skin. Sagging skin that does not shrink back after weight loss can be removed by a plastic surgeon.

Rebecca Campen, M.D., J.D. is an Assistant Professor of Dermatology at Harvard Medical School. She divides her time between clinical practice of dermatology at the Massachusetts General Hospital and private practice in Savannah, Ga.

Last updated:	July 20, 2009