How Yo-Yo Dieting Affects Skin

Many of us would like to lose some weight and being the right weight for our height is a healthy option for everyone. However, when we are looking to lose the pounds we should take care to do it steadily and using long-lasting methods as this is the safest way for our health, and also the best for our skin.

We have been hearing a lot recently about people losing lots of weight quickly, using various diet methods. This has especially been with fasting diets, which involve not eating anything for certain time periods of the day or week. But yo-yo dieting can happen with any diet. It immediately got our radar up, as surely this sort of dramatic weight loss is not going to have a great effect on skin.

While dramatic weight loss can seem a sought-after achievement for some, it often has unintended consequences on the appearance of one’s skin. Rapid weight reduction can lead to excessive skin laxity, as the skin does not have sufficient time to adjust to the new body size. This can result in sagging skin that is unable to retain its elasticity, markedly around areas that previously had higher fat deposits such as the abdomen, arms, and thighs. Furthermore, such dramatic changes can also affect skin texture and firmness, potentially leading to stretch marks and a general decrease in skin vitality.

At Nakin our aim is to help people have beautiful skin at every age, with our amazing natural skincare. So, we are not keen on anything that gets in the way of having good skin. The problem is that when we are carrying excess weight, this kind of stretches our skin out so there is more of it. When you lose weight the fat cells reduce. While your fat cells shrink when you lose that weight, you still retain the same skin surface area, which causes skin to sag, as the loose skin has nowhere to go. There is also huge potential for stretch marks. A lot of sagging and stretch marks is something that even the best skincare products like ours will struggle to fix.

Healthline state that for people who have lost small to moderate amounts of weight, skin will likely retract on its own eventually, and may be helped by natural remedies. However, individuals who have achieved major weight loss may even need body contouring surgery or other medical procedures to tighten or get rid of loose skin. So, in order to avoid this skin sagging we recommend not yo-yo dieting.

You might think that skin sagging is to be expected with skin on the body, such as the stomach area where fat builds up. However, this sagging can also happen on the face after a lot of weight loss. Life Hacker advise that over time, yo-yo dieting causes loose skin, which is not only uncomfortable but can cause health problems. Around your face, you will notice premature sagging skin. The key is to slowly lose and maintain weight loss.

Yo-yo dieting, the cyclical loss and gain of weight, can have a profound impact on the skin, particularly on the face. This pattern of dieting can lead to reduced skin elasticity, as the skin often fails to tighten after weight is regained, leading to sagging and wrinkles. Additionally, significant fluctuations in weight can affect the distribution of fat layers underneath the skin, altering facial contours and potentially contributing to a more aged appearance. It's also worth noting that the nutritional imbalances associated with rapid weight changes can deprive the skin of essential vitamins and minerals, resulting in a duller complexion and exacerbating skin conditions such as acne or dryness.

Instead of yo-yo dieting, work out a manageable gradual weight loss programme by keeping active and eating better. Keeping active with daily exercise need not mean intense gym sessions or running. It could be more gentle exercise like walking, yoga, cycling and Pilates. The other main way to lose weight, is to take care on the food you eat. We know it is easier said than done, and we often eat for many more reasons than being hungry, such as from boredom and for pleasure. But small changes like cutting out processed and sugary foods and smaller portions will make a big difference. Gradual weight loss also means that it has fewer undesirable effects of skin. Eating healthier with more fruits and vegetables really helps to keep skin youthful and glowing.

As well as losing weight it is important to tone up muscles to stop skin sagging, this is why exercise like yoga, pilates and weights are important. As this type of exercise builds and strengthens muscles, which helps to avoid saggy skin. Holly Perkins author of Lift to Get Lean says it is best to lose 1.5-2 lbs a week, and the biggest tool is the ability to build muscle to stop skin sagging.

So, forget about yo-yo dieting and opt for a better healthier lifestyle, with a better diet and more exercise. We hope that you found our feature about the problems that yo-yo dieting has for skin. Nakin are dedicated to achieving beautiful skin at every age using the best natural ingredients. To find out more about Nakin and our award winning anti-ageing skincare then visit us at www.nakinskincare.com Nakin produce natural face products for all skin types, including sensitive skin. The full range can be found here and is designed to help skin to thrive and flourish by using the best plant active ingredients. Everything is cruelty free and made in the UK.