Tighten Skin

Life experiences like losing weight, pregnancy, and simply getting older can cause skin to sag and lose its elasticity. Whether its the skin on your stomach, arms or thighs, there are measures you can take to tighten things up. Learn which skin treatments, eating choices and lifestyle changes will leave you with tighter skin.

Steps

Skin Treatments

  1. Exfoliate your skin. You may not realize it, but exfoliating your skin does more than just freshening it by removing dead skin cells. It also stimulates your circulation in the area so that your skin gets the vital nutrients and oxygen it needs to renew itself.
    • Dry brushing is an excellent exfoliation technique, and it's also inexpensive. Buy a body brush made with natural fibers, available at your local beauty supply or drugstore. Use the following technique for best results:
      • Brush your skin in the morning before you take a shower. Both your skin and the brush should be dry.
      • Use long strokes to brush your legs and arms. Work your way from your feet to your thighs, then from your hands to your shoulders, always brushing toward your hands in the direction your blood circulates.
      • Concentrate on areas where your skin is loose. Don't forget your stomach and buttocks.
    • Exfoliating gels and scrubs can also be effective. Buy a product from the store, or make your own scrub using brown sugar, honey and other natural ingredients.
    • Mineral and salt scrubs are also great for tightening skin. Scrub yourself in the shower, then rinse away the salt.
  2. Use oil to keep your skin hydrated. After showering, applying a coat of oil helps trap the moisture in your skin, which improves its elasticity.
    • Baby oil is inexpensive and easy to find. Castor oil and almond oil are also great for your skin.
    • Try adding a few drops of oil to your bath. Your skin will get infused with oil as you relax.
  3. Try a skin-firming cream or lotion. Look for products containing vitamin A, vitamin E, and collagen, all of which help tighten the skin.
    • Apply the cream or lotion at least once a day, concentrating on the areas that need tightening.
    • Aloe is a great natural skin tightener; look for lotions that contain it, or apply pure aloe to your skin.
  4. Use a skin mask. The same masks designed to strengthen the skin on your face can be used on your thighs, stomach and arms. Buy a mask from the store or make one yourself and use it once or twice a week in the areas you're trying to tighten.

Diet and Exercise Solutions

  1. Drink plenty of water. Hydrated skin is healthy skin, so make sure you're getting plenty of water throughout the day. Drink six to eight glasses for best results.
    • Drinking coconut water and herbal tea can also help you stay hydrated, with the added benefit of providing your body with essential nutrients.
    • Avoid drinking excessive alcohol and coffee, as these dehydrate your body over time.
  2. Eat raw foods. Fruits and vegetables in their purest form are very beneficial for your skin. They're packed with vitamins and minerals that promote healthy skin growth and make your skin look beautiful.
    • Make fruit and vegetable smoothies to eat for breakfast every day.
    • Try juicing, which is a great way to get a quick serving of produce. Use a lot of green vegetables, like kale and spinach, for best results.
  3. Try weight training. Cardio workouts are great for losing weight, but when it comes to tightening skin you need muscle tone, too. Incorporate weight training into your workout to firm up your skin, making sure to do exercises that strengthen your core, arms and thighs.
  4. Do yoga. Yoga helps your skin rebound after weight loss by keeping you toned and helping your circulation. Take a few yoga classes each week, or do yoga at home with an online video.
  5. Practice calisthenics. All those exercises you used to do in gym class are actually great for skin tone.
    • Work out your arms and upper body with push-ups and pull-ups.
    • Work out your abdominal muscles with sit-ups and squats.
    • Work out your legs with jumping jacks and lunges.

Lifestyle Changes to Improve Skin Tone

  1. Get massages. Massages are excellent for improving circulation, which goes a long way toward tightening skin. Ask the masseuse to concentrate on the areas you're trying to tighten.
  2. Avoid harsh soaps. Skin care products that contain sodium laurel sulfate and related chemicals can actually damage your skin by drying it out. When you're trying to tighten your skin, avoid industrial-strength cleansers and choose light, natural products to wash yourself.
    • Cleansers made with oils are the best bet for tightening skin.
    • Consider foregoing soap altogether. Running a washcloth lightly over your skin may be all it really needs, especially if you're also exfoliating and treating it with oil or lotion.
  3. Protect your skin from the sun. Sun damage does more than make your skin look older - it damages your skin deep down as well, causing it to lose elasticity. Use sunscreen, or better yet, wear pants when you can to protect your skin.



Tips

  • Honey can also be used as a tightening mask.
  • Mud from the Dead Sea, bordering Jordan, Palestine and Israel, has a high reputation for helping skin problems.

Warnings

  • Beware of any allergies or sensitivities you may have to ingredients in skincare products or masks.

Sources and Citations

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