Here are my notes from last year with some updates.
But long or elbow length sleeves and knee length pants are still my friend! No miracles, but this expert had many suggestions that may help:
The following are notes taken at a meeting with a Medical Aesthetician at a renown Integrative Health Institute one year ago, at the recommendation of the hospital’s Low Carb Program.
Tips for dealing with Loose Skin from Weight Loss
Best to start a regime while losing weight but even at four months bouncing around near to goal weight is OK. Better now than waiting until a year later after you stop losing weight. All these techniques will improve the skin, which continues to shrink and tighten further for at least a year after weight loss. If still unhappy then, consider discussing surgery after weight stable for at least a year or two.
In giving my history, I shared how lifelong eczema and a decade of KP went away after starting Low Carb. She sees this all the time. Sugar causes inflammation, and sugar in the body is created by starches too, so eliminating them both reduces inflammation so much that many different skin conditions clear up completely.
First and Best suggestion for loose skin is Dry Brushing: Recommends a brush by Bass, Medium texture for bristles. Firm is too hard.
http://www.amazon.com/Vegetable-Bri...37277375&sr=1-7
On Amazon there is only one long handle style by Bass, but many other types by other manufacturers. You can also find Bass brushes at Whole Foods, etc. Pick any head or handle style you like. Brush before showering daily. A quick light flicking motion. If skin gets red, you are doing it too hard. Work toward the heart. Get sides of body as best you can and have someone do back if available. This is a wonderful way to stimulate a special circulation system for skin which will really help tighten the skin. A number of videos on the dry brushing technique can be found on YouTube.
Hot Yoga: Great for skin as it purges Toxins, and regular yoga is good too.
Dry Sauna: NOT a steam room which stimulates a different system, only dry sauna. Start with 5 minutes, add 2 minutes each time until up to 20 minutes and you are sweating. Don’t drink water while in sauna. It should be at 118 degrees, which is hard to maintain when people go in & out. [118 seems low in our YMCA sauna. Even at 140 I do not sweat, but I’m weird. Have to personalize this rec]
Water: Drink lots, but that is usually not a problem with Low Carbers.
Hydration/Moisturizers. She recommends Palmer’s Cocoa Butter products. They have a light cocoa smell which I like, but if you don’t, there is an unscented product, though an extra chemical may be needed to remove the scent. After shower, use the OIL on your skin..it is quickly absorbed and not greasy.
http://www.amazon.com/Palmers-Thera...37278168&sr=1-8 [I LOVE this oil...$9.47 at Walmart, also at Target, Walgreen’s etc. Sometimes this brand is found in the ethnic and/or baby pregancy aisle] Then add over the oil, either the cream or lotion. Lotion is a lighter product. [The cream in a tub is too greasy for me, almost like vaseline] Don’t worry if the lotion bottle says for pregnancy stretch marks, it’s all the same cocoa butter. I use pure coconut oil too, which I like, but she thinks cocoa butter is better for hydration. This Palmer’s brand has a number of other additives with the cocoa butter, something to consider.
Exfoliating: I use baking soda very lightly for face and a sugar scrub from Trader Joe’s on body. Those were fine with her. Do some type of very light exfoliation in shower after dry brushing may help skin too.
Massage: A lovely extra benefit! Massage may improve your circulation and release toxin build-up, assist lymph drainage, and helps soreness from exercise.
We talked a bit about hair loss which can be caused by ANY change in diet. I have been reading about long term LC and thyroid issues, which may have had an impact on my thinning (or just age). [Since this meeting last year, adding more vegetable carbs and iodine has helped somewhat. Brows are much better, hair seems thicker too. I still remain under 50g carbs, but higher than I was last year. Good thyroid podcast with Chris Kresser.
http://livinlavidalowcarb.com/blog/...s-kresser/13707 ]
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