Worried about developing loose skin?

[Analog6]

Self-Massage for loose skin prevention


I have noticed a few posts on here where people, mostly newcomers to Atkins, are very concerned they may have a lot of loose skin once they have lost their weight.

Skin condition is influenced by a lot of factors including age, genetics, climate etc. But there are things you can do to maximize the elasticity of your skin.

The most effective way to reshape your body and condition your skin is massage. This is the reason those super-expensive cellulite creams work - because you massage the skin. It is the massage that breaks up the fat in the cells, not the 'magic' potion you pay all that money for. There are 2 methods that are easy to do yourself.


Dry brush skin massage.
I used skin brushing when I lost a lot of weight in the 1980s. I used a nail brush (you have to find one that is right for your skin). I used to dry brush before I showered, using a circular motion, very gently on sensitive areas. You can even do your face if you are extra careful. A fine dust will appear on your skin, this is the top layer being rubbed off. It is absolutely ESSENTIAL to moisturise after the shower. You can just use any old cream but you MUST do it. I use cheap Sorbolene from the supermarket and add a couple of drops of fragrant oils - usually lavender as it helps my itches. You skin will look better, and feel fabulous, if you do it regularly - I used to do it twice a week.


Shower massage with a loofah.
Now I use a nylon loofah thingy in the shower (it is made of a knitted nylon stuff in a frilly gathered rosette on a string - I buy it in the supermarket). I get wet, wash hair if necessary, turn the water off, squirt some liquid wash stuff (mine's a non-soap one due to skin itchies) on the loofah, and rub myself all over for 5 mins or so, using that circular motion. I rub really hard, espoecially on areas such as upper arms, stomach and thighs and buttocks, and even do my face (but gently). Then rinse. It feels really nice, and I have hardly any cellulite and only the faintest of stretch marks, even though I'm still classed as obese by any standards. Replace your loofah every couple of months. And once again, moisturising afterwards is very beneficial.

Hope this is helpful to everyone.

[Jasmain]

Thank you Analog! I've been feeling quite down because for the first time in my life, I have these fatty cottage cheese deposits over my knees. This sounds like it would work great to help smooth those out!

[Elizellen]

Good suggestions, Odille!

Thanks for paying-it-forward ADBB-style

[Lady_Hawke]

What a great post! Thank you for sharing with us!

[iyamamaschke]

I can Honestly tell you It really does Work By Boosting the Blood flow to these loose areas it even helps your Body lose fat as well WOOHOO for us. If ya wanna add a bang to your massage Use a cream with menthol in it it helps to stimulate the areas.

I ahve been doing this since the Beginning on my Stomach (should have done it on my legs) and my Stomach is very tight dispite having Horrendous lower abdominal Stretch marks some are a half inche wide. SO yes you can shrink that lose skin.

I am concentrating on my legs now cause I neglected them I need to focus on that.

Sarah

[sadie147]

I swear by dry sking brushing, don't know if all the claims are true, but it does great things for the skin. I do it everyday, in the morning. It even helps wake me up. There are alot of benefits too it, but you must make sure you use a proper brush or you will damage/scratch the skin. Odille I have actually found i don't need mosturizer anymore...the brushing has pretty much eliminated any dry skin. I got a natural skin brush at walmart for about $3.

A couple of good sites on it:

http://www.hps-online.com/skin_brushing.htm

http://altmedicine.about.com/od/home...y_brushing.htm

If you do a search on the net..you will find alot of info on it. apparently it's a very popular spa treatment as well.

[MaizieMarley]

You've made me a believer. I am going to have to try this - it certainly makes a lot of sense. Thanks for the post!

[Analog6]

Sadie
I didn't know you could get a special natural brush for the skin, I'll have to see if I can get one here. It will no doubt be a specialist health store item here, alternative anything is not catered for in supermarkets and big chain stores!
Interesting you don't need moisturiser any more. I suffer a lot from itchy skin, it is not very dry, I jst itch a lot. It is not eczema, just me!

[sadie147]

Originally Posted by Analog6

Sadie
I didn't know you could get a special natural brush for the skin, I'll have to see if I can get one here. It will no doubt be a specialist health store item here, alternative anything is not catered for in supermarkets and big chain stores!
Interesting you don't need moisturiser any more. I suffer a lot from itchy skin, it is not very dry, I jst itch a lot. It is not eczema, just me!

Apparently it's quite important to get a proper natural brush that's not too stiff..it can scratch the skin. After a while i was able to get one with stiffer bristles as my skin got accustomed to it.

Here is exactly what mine looks like:



I actually have exzema on my hands, and it hasn't bothered me in months , and i haven't needed my cortisone cream

I just came accross a forum with info on both drybrushing and massaging:
http://curezone.com/forums/f.asp?f=154

[kkat55]

This was a GREAT post!! Thanks for starting it!!