In partnership with SA’s top medical aesthetic companies
While weight loss is no small feat, stretch marks and loose, saggy skin may stop you from feeling great about your new summer body. Luckily, there are some solutions to target common problems post-weight-loss.
When we reach a goal weight, we might find that we are not instantly satisfied with our bodies. After following a healthy diet and an exercise regime, there may be problem areas on the body that may benefit from targeted firming and smoothing treatments.
Loose or saggy skin and stretch marks are two common concerns after weight loss, especially when a large amount of weight is lost.
At Body Renewal, there are different ways to treat your problem areas. Let’s address two common problems, along with their solutions.
What are stretch marks?
Stretch marks are caused by small tears in the dermis (the resilient middle layer of our skin) and can appear pink, red or purple when they are new, but can over time diminish to a silvery-white hue. Stretch marks can appear when you rapidly gain or lose weight, but can also appear during rapid muscle growth.
They mostly occur on the abdominal area, breasts, upper arms, inner and outer thighs, hips and buttocks. While stretch marks have absolutely no health risk, they can ruin your best efforts at looking good. They might affect your self-confidence, especially when heading to the beach.
What can be done about stretch marks?
Stretch marks have always been challenging to treat. Luckily, over the years, a new method was developed that seems to help tremendously. This is called carboxytherapy, where medical grade carbon dioxide is injected into the dermis (where your stretch marks are located) with a tiny needle.
When the carbon dioxide is administered into the dermis, your body thinks that it is deprived of oxygen and responds by increasing the blood flow into the area.
In turn, certain growth factors are now stimulated and new blood vessels are produced – suddenly there is a surge of oxygen and nutrients, with better circulation and more collagen. This strengthens the dermis and the appearance of stretch marks are drastically reduced over the course of six to ten treatments.
What to know about carboxytherapy
The stretch marks are treated once a week (or every two weeks) for a minimum of six sessions. Older stretch marks need six to ten treatments.
Remember that stretch marks differ in severity and some cases may require more treatments. At Body Renewal, every case is assessed individually. Carboxytherapy is usually more effective on newer, redder stretch marks.
Carboxytherapy can also be safely done post-pregnancy as you can safely continue breastfeeding after receiving the treatment.
Why can you expect loose skin after weight loss?
When you lose a considerable amount of weight, lax or saggy skin may be a common concern afterwards. The elasticity of your skin before and during your weight-loss progress will determine the severity of loose skin.
Younger skin can snap back to normal quickly, while older skin might not shrink back as fast, because of the loss of collagen and elasticity as we age.
What can be done about loose skin?
Even after reaching your goal weight, loose, saggy skin can make you feel self-conscious. Luckily, there are a couple of options that do not include invasive surgery.
Topical treatments
Topical therapies such as the Lamelle Dermaheal Growth Factor range can have a great effect on loose skin by improving your collagen levels.
In-office treatments
In addition to topical therapies such as Dermaheal, in-office rejuvenation treatments such as Radiofrequency treatments Exilis Elite, Lavatron, Titan Laser Skin Tightening and Carboxytherapy offer a solution to those looking to restore a youthful, taught appearance to their skin.
Another treatment that can be considered, is a process of thread lifting that targets your body at imperfections at multiple levels to help you with:
- cellulite
- body shaping
- uneven skin after liposuction
- sagginess and droopy skin
The treatment involves the preparation of the skin through radiofrequency treatments mentioned above, after which special threads are placed under the skin to achieve firmness and smoothness, and lift the skin surface.
What to remember
If one can keep one’s skin firm and taught with collagen, then the sagging that takes place over time can be minimised as tighter skin supports the body.
As every person differs, a highly professional team led by a medical doctor should assess every patient and an appropriate combination treatment together with long term maintenance program is recommended. Every client is provided with a fully customised solution dependant on expectations, budget, time and medical conditions.
You can also improve the appearance of loose skin by building muscle through exercise and by keeping your skin hydrated and elasticated through a healthy, balanced diet and by drinking enough water.
To find out more about the different options for firming and smoothing the skin and body, visit Body Renewal at www.bodyrenewal.co.za.
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