If you’re looking to tighten loose skin, you’ve come to the right place. Those first signs that your skin is losing its youthful firmness are distressing. 

The corners of your lips start tilting downwards, your jawline doesn’t seem as defined, and maybe you even see the beginning of jowls or marionette lines! For others, it’s not an aging issue. It’s very common to experience loose skin after weight loss, for example. 

Regardless of the cause, we’re here to explain how to tighten your skin without having to resort to surgery. Let’s dive in! 

What Causes Loose Skin?

There are so many reasons why skin can get saggy and loose, either gradually or suddenly. Here are the main factors to consider — keep in mind that a few of them can be at play at once. 

Aging

The primary reason why our skin usually begins to sag is age, which is also greatly influenced by sun exposure and genetics. As we age, two major things happen. First, our skin’s ability to produce the fibers that keep it firm and tight slows down. At the same time, our face becomes more hollow due to bone resorption and fat pad atrophy. 

Our skin, especially its dermis layer, is made up primarily of connective fibers such as collagen and elastin. These two protein structures are like a flexible mesh inside the skin, maintaining its form and bounciness. As we get older, the production of these proteins by fibroblasts slows down naturally, so the skin goes from looking taut to loose. 

Sun Exposure

One of the greatest culprits in skin aging is the sun. Yes, genetics do play a big role, but the sun’s impact is just as noticeable. The sun causes a type of oxidation damage called photodamage which leads to photoaging. It breaks down existing collagen structures in the skin while also inhibiting the production of new collagen — over time, it speeds up and worsens the natural loss of tone that occurs with aging. 

Weight Loss

It’s very common to experience loose skin after weight loss. As you gained weight, your skin grew and stretched to accommodate the new tissue. When you lose weight, your body effectively shrinks while your skin stays the same size. 

This is particularly true with rapid weight loss, like after dramatic lifestyle changes or as a result of treatments like Ozempic. When weight loss is more gradual, the skin often tightens naturally. The skin will eventually firm up a little, but often not completely, especially if one is older or has lost a great amount of weight.

Genetics

How you will age has a lot to do with genetic traits inherited from your family which influence how your body reacts to cell damage. By looking at how your relatives’ skin looked at various ages (and taking into account their lifestyle habits), you can predict how your skin will age and what kind of loss of tone you’ll experience. 

Other Lifestyle Factors 

While the sun is the major factor behind premature aging and loss of tone, almost anything that harms your health also harms the appearance and integrity of your skin. Smoking cigarettes is the worst of the bunch, but stress, lack of sleep, excessive alcohol consumption, poor diet, and exposure to pollution can all speed up the aging process, leading to wrinkles and loss of tone.

How to Tighten Loose Skin 

So how to tighten loose skin? You have a ton of options, depending on the kind of skin laxity you’re dealing with. Here they are: 

Exercise

Research shows that exercise can actually improve skin quality by boosting the function of dermal fibroblasts. Long-term exercise habits can reduce glycation, which is the process behind why poor diets cause premature aging. Many people who experienced loose skin after weight loss found that exercising helped tighten their skin.   

Additionally, exercise that builds muscle can help tighten skin after weight loss. The new muscle fills in the space where fat once was, stretching the skin from below and contributing to a more toned appearance. 

Skin Firming Med Spa Treatments 

One of the most effective ways to boost your skin’s own production of collagen is through targeted skin tightening treatments. Any procedure that can impact the dermis layer of the skin can have a firming effect, but that’s easier said than done. Here are a few of our favorite treatments: 

Radiofrequency (RF) Microneedling 

Our top treatment for firming the skin is radiofrequency microneedling with devices like Morpheus8 and Potenza. They provide the most dramatic results by combining two powerful modes of collagen stimulation. 

First, microneedling creates a tiny, targeted injury in the upper layers of the skin, to improve surface texture and wrinkles. Then, through the microneedles, radiofrequency delivers targeted heat to the lower levels of the dermis, to kick the body’s production of collagen and elastin into high gear.

If you’re interested in fast and painless skin tightening, radiofrequency can also be an option on its own with a device like Forma. Just keep in mind that results might be milder and may require several treatments. 

Ultrasound 

Ultrasound therapy is another powerful option for tightening loose skin. Ultrasound waves create a thermal reaction that’s similar to radiofrequency but a little stronger. Over time, it promotes an immense collagen and elastin boost, but it can also cause slightly more discomfort and longer-lasting side effects compared to RF treatments. 

Radiofrequency and Electrical Muscle Stimulation

For body contouring, Evolve is the ideal treatment. It makes it easy to treat sagging skin over larger body areas like the stomach, thighs, glutes, or arms. It uses radiofrequency to stimulate collagen and elastin production in the dermis, but it can also induce muscle contractions through electrical stimulation, to help with post-weight loss skin tightening.  

 

Thread Lifts

Thread lifts are a unique non-surgical facelift alternative where threads inserted under the skin create a firmer look. During the procedure, a medical professional inserts threads made of polydioxanone under the skin. 

The material is absorbed by the body after several months, but its presence during that time enhances collagen production, resulting in a tighter look for up to 15 months. It’s more invasive than some of the other options on our list but can be a great option for some. 

Dermal Fillers and Injectables

If you have loose skin as a result of loss of facial volume, dermal filler might be the ideal solution. By introducing filler into the cheekbones, the added volume helps pull the skin of the midface and jawline upwards, creating a firmer and more defined look, while also enhancing definition. 

The most popular filler brands, like Juvéderm and Restylane, are made of hyaluronic acid gel which adds natural plumpness to a targeted area. Another popular dermal filler is Sculptra, which is an injectable poly-L-lactic acid gel that enhances the body’s production of collagen.  

Tighten the Loose Ends With SEV

Now that you know what it takes to tighten up loose skin, would you like to get started? Our team at SEV believes that every person deserves to feel confident and beautiful in their own skin. 

That’s why we only offer the most advanced and well-researched skin tightening treatments. Check our booking portal to see which treatments are available near you, or get in touch with us to receive advice tailored to your needs.