Op. Dr. Bora Yücel
Sagging Skin
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- Aug 09, 2025
- 4 min read
- Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery Specialist Op. Dr. Bora Yücel
Sagging skin is one of the most common skin problems we encounter after weight loss, ageing, or pregnancy. It is not possible to eliminate it just by applying cream or drinking plenty of water.
How to treat sagging skin?
If sagging is mild, certain measures that increase skin elasticity may be beneficial. For example, regular exercise, collagen supplements, drinking plenty of water, and a balanced diet can help improve skin tone to some extent, but one should not expect miraculous results.
In cases of moderate or severe sagging, medical or surgical solutions come into play. Skin-tightening treatments like radiofrequency and laser can provide some improvement. However, for severe sagging in areas like the abdomen, arms, or legs, the most effective solution is often surgical removal of excess skin.
In short, the degree of sagging is important. Support can improve mild sagging, but professional intervention is necessary for severe cases. In any case, the best approach is to consult a plastic surgeon first and work together to determine the appropriate course of action.
How to tighten loose skin after weight loss?
One of the most common things we see after rapid weight loss is sagging skin. This is because the skin cannot immediately tighten the space left behind when fat tissue shrinks. Particularly when losing a significant amount of weight quickly, the skin finds it difficult to regain its tightness. Serious skin sagging, especially in the abdominal area, is visible after pregnancy. The most effective treatment for such sagging is abdominoplasty.
In younger individuals who lose weight slowly and steadily, the skin may tighten to some extent. At this point, regular exercise, especially to increase muscle mass, is very important. This is because muscle tissue provides internal support to the skin and reduces the feeling of emptiness. However, as age advances and collagen production decreases, this tightening process slows down. If sagging is pronounced, it is not possible to restore the skin through exercise and diet alone. Procedures like radiofrequency and HIFU can be used to support the process in these situations. However, if there is excess skin, the real solution is usually surgery.
Losing weight is a fantastic accomplishment, but the next step is body contouring. The skin can recover to a certain extent, but after that, support is necessary.
Loose skin after weight loss
Loose skin is a condition that affects many people, especially those who lose weight quickly or as they age. Unfortunately, it is not possible to achieve miraculous results with “quick fix” creams alone.
If the sagging is in its early stages and not too advanced, regular exercise, plenty of water intake, and supplements like collagen can help the skin recover to some extent. Especially weight training helps the muscles fill out the underlying tissue, which makes the skin appear tighter.
However, if the sagging has progressed, more effective methods are needed. Device-assisted procedures such as radiofrequency, HIFU (ultrasonic tightening), and laser stimulate the skin to increase collagen production. These are non-surgical but effective treatments for skin tightening.
Can sagging skin be corrected without surgery?
The answer to this question varies depending on the degree of sagging. If the sagging is mild, meaning there is only a slight loosening of the skin, non-surgical methods can be used to tighten it. Technologies such as radiofrequency, HIFU, and laser stimulate collagen production in the skin, resulting in tightening over time. But if there's a lot of excess skin, it won't tighten on its own. In such cases, no device or cream can eliminate the excess skin.
Non-surgical methods can only provide some tightening here, but they do not truly eliminate sagging.
Will sagging skin recover?
Partially, yes. But does it completely recover? Unfortunately, no.
The skin's ability to recover depends on age, genetic structure, the rate of weight loss, and the elasticity of the skin. In younger people who lose weight slowly and healthily, the skin can recover to some extent. This process is more pronounced in people with good collagen production. However, this recovery is usually limited.
If weight is lost quickly, if the person is older, or if the skin structure has already lost its elasticity, sagging skin will not return to its former state on its own. This is because, at that point, the collagen and elastin fibres in the skin no longer provide sufficient support.
Therefore, saying, “Let's wait and see if it tightens up” can sometimes be a waste of time. The best approach is to consult a specialist and assess the current condition of the skin to determine how much improvement is possible.
How to get rid of loose skin after weight loss?
The solution varies depending on the degree of sagging. In cases of mild sagging, regular exercise, muscle mass increase, and collagen supplements can tighten the skin to some extent. For moderate sagging, skin-tightening treatments such as radiofrequency and HIFU can be advantageous. However, if the sagging is severe, surgical intervention is usually necessary. In any case, it is best to evaluate the process with a specialist.
Does sagging skin go away on its own?
Mild sagging can improve over time if you are young and lose weight slowly. However, in severe sagging, the skin does not recover on its own because the elastic fibres cannot return to their original states. If there is excess skin in areas such as the abdomen, arms, and legs, this excess remains permanent.
In such cases, supportive treatments or procedures like abdominoplasty (tummy tuck), arm lift, or thigh lift surgery are necessary. In other words, not all sagging resolves on its own; the degree of sagging is important.
How much weight loss causes loose skin?
This depends entirely on the individual; there is no clear weight limit. However, losing more than 10-15% of body weight quickly increases the risk of skin sagging. A 100-kilogram person may have difficulty recovering their skin if they lose 10-15 kilogrammes or more, especially in a short period of time, such as a few months.
Factors such as age, genetic makeup, skin elasticity, muscle mass, and the rate of weight loss influence this process. In other words, it's not just how much weight is lost, but how it is lost determines the risk of sagging. Weight lost in a controlled and balanced manner generally allows the skin to adapt better.
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