Loose skin after dieting in your 50’s - your experiences a year on?

[Saggyoldclothbody]

I’m in my late 50’s and have just lost a stone and a half since November - and gained a lot of loose, wrinkly skin. I’ve not dieted for the last 10 years, and haven’t had this problem before. I average around 8000 steps a day, and over 150 minutes a week in my heart rate zone according to my Fitbit but I don’t actively exercise other than 10-15 minutes of squats with 5kg weights 5-6 days a week.

I know that a lot of the likelihood of it tightening up again is genetic or just takes time but if you have been in my position and your skin has returned to a much tighter state after a year or so, what did you do to make that happen? Everything, nothing, exercise, improved diet or supplements, non invasive treatments, creams, etc?

I wouldn’t consider surgery but it would be good to have some positive experiences to give me some hope.

Watching for ideas. I’ve lost similar in about the same timescale. All I’m doing so far is moisturising after shower using aveeno.

Honestly nothing is going to tighten the skin to any significant degree, certainly not time. Think of the skin as a balloon. When inflated it’s taut with no wrinkles or laxity. When it deflates it shrinks but is loose and doesn’t go back to what it was before it was inflated iyswim. You can research certain lasers and treatments that MAY improve the appearance slightly but beyond skin removal surgery there isn’t much you can do. This is from personal experience, I’m 31 and lost about 10kgs in the past few years from 58kg to 48kg so quite a big loss but not a very large starting weight, I have visible loose skin on my tummy when I sit down or lean forward and it hasn’t changed in 3 years.

Retinol on the neck and face has helped a wee bit, sunscreen obviously. I use bio oil on boobs and back of arms but no effect really. Still, it's better than being obese.

@NewbieSM I’ve dieted seriously about 4 times in my life prior to this. The last time 10 years ago and I lost 3 stones but my skin just looked normal. This time it’s different. Part of the reason may be I’m not exercising as much as I was then but it’s more likely that I’m now menopausal and have lost collagen.

I have an acquaintance who is the same age as me who lost 1/2 her body weight in a year, a couple of years ago. One of my friends was recently on holiday with her and said she does not have significant loose skin visible in a swimsuit. I’m not close enough to the acquaintance to ask how (although I know it hasn’t been surgery), and my friend won’t ask the question, so I’m turning to an anonymous forum to see is anyone has found that their skin did just gradually catch up with their weight loss a year or so later.

@Summerhillsquare Yes, it is definitely better than being obese 😊. I saw someone mention a Nivea firming cream so I’m going to buy that next time I’m in Boots and I’ve started using collage powder too. My face is well under control as I use Tretinoin and sun cream religiously - but my poor neck was well on the way to being scraggy before I lost weight 🥴

I hear you op!

a few things worth trying. Are you eating plenty of protein? Apparently this helps with firmness under the skin so that’s gotta help right?

I also use This Works neck and cleavage serum. Definitely helps with any crepeyness.

@BitOutOfPractice I could definitely improve my protein intake. I am trying to ensure I make good choices but I’m only eating two meals a day and rarely snack so I miss a third opportunity. The fridge is full of protein yoghurts for days when I think I need a real help but I think I need to have some protein powder on hand too.

I’ll check that cream out. Thank you.

Yes, it’s hard to get the protein in, especially if you are on a calorie deficit diet. You have to become slightly obsessed with it. I have become a complete protein wanker. I’m going for 100g of protein a day on a 1200 calorie a day diet and with 100g of protein in the mix, it doesn’t leave much wine wriggle room.

Have you thought about doing more weight training?

Protein wanker 😀 Yes, I do need to sit down and plan things out a bit more and I may become one too - I’m certainly obsessing over the stats my new scales give me 🤣

I think more weight training is the part of the solution - I’ve not carved out more time for this so far. I did watch a Caroline Girvan kettlebell workout but was doing a huge amount of comparison that I found a 4kg kettlebell far too much whilst she was working with 16kg!