How to Remove Excess Skin

If you have recently lost a great deal of weight, you may notice that you are carrying more loose skin than before. Other reasons why skin may be loose include pregnancy and aging. If you have loose skin and would like to make it tighter, there are a few steps you can take both with and without the help of a doctor.

Things You'll Need

• Coarse kosher salt
• Olive oil

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Instructions

• 1

  Exfoliate your skin. If you have stretch marks or sagging skin, exfoliate the area every other day with an exfoliating scrub. You can purchase exfoliating scrubs at your local drugstore or make your own using one part coarse kosher salt and one part olive oil. Scrub until the granules dissolve, then rinse with soap and water.

• 2

  Exercise. As you exercise regularly, most loose skin will eventually tighten. This is especially possible if you are in your 40s or younger, if you are pregnant or if you have recently lost a small amount of weight. If you have lost a large amount of weight, you may not be able to tighten your skin with exercise alone.

• 3

  Get a tummy tuck. A tummy tuck is a cosmetic surgery usually offered by a plastic surgeon. Tummy tucks can be expensive and leave scars around the stomach area, although some surgeons will make an incision through the belly button to reduce scarring. It will take several weeks to recover from tummy tuck surgery.

• 4

  Get a mastopexy procedure. A mastopexy, also known as a breast lift, is a surgical procedure for both men and women that involves the lifting of the breast tissue and the removal of excess skin around the breasts. This procedure is performed by a cosmetic or plastic surgeon.

• 5

  Get brachioplasty. Brachioplasty, also known as an arm lift, is the process of cutting the hanging excess skin off of the arm. A scar will usually be present under the arms of patients who have undergone brachioplasty. A plastic surgeon or cosmetic surgeon will decide if brachioplasty is right for you.