What Causes Loose Skin
The main reason why loose skin occurs is due to a loss of skin elasticity. Skin elasticity refers to the ability of the skin to stretch and then return to its original shape. Young, healthy skin contains a lot of elastin and collagen fibers, giving way to good elasticity levels. However, as we age or undergo changes in our body, such as rapid weight loss, pregnancy, or hormonal changes, these fibers become damaged, and the skin can lose elasticity.
In the case of rapid weight gain and loss, for example, the skin may not be able to shrink to a new size, resulting in excess or loose skin. In addition, when we lose weight, some of the underlying fat helps keep the skin stretched and taut diminishes, and the skin has little structural padding to keep it firm. Other factors contributing to skin elasticity loss include genetics, sun damage, smoking, and poor nutrition. These factors can damage the collagen and elastin fibers in the skin, making them less firm and elastic over time.