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110orbust New Member 
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Has anyone experienced this side effect to losing weight? If so, what can be done about it? I don't want to have any cosmetic surgery, so what else is there? |
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nevd Distinguished Member 
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Daily skin brushing with a medium bristle brush? NevD  |
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110orbust New Member
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Are you serious? |
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nevd Distinguished Member
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Are you serious? Absolutely... Of course, like any other enterprise, the results depend on the willpower to keep up something that doesn't work straight away. But, most people I know who've tried it found that the daily brushing does tighten up the skin and smooth out the wrinkly deposits of fat that usually reside in the 'folds' of folk who have shed a lot of weight. While the effects are far from instant, they're a lot safer and less unpleasant than any surgical alternatives. For best results, start brushing while you're losing the pounds, and that way you don't end up with a more severe problem at the end of the reduction phase. It's an ancient 'remedy' and does require commitment and patience - which probably explains its relative obscurity (and lack of popularity). Sometimes, though, low-tech is best! NevD |
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110orbust New Member
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Like a hair brush? Wouldn't that hurt? I've never heard of this and I find it quite odd, lol:D |
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nevd Distinguished Member
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Like a hair brush? Wouldn't that hurt? Depends how hard you press. The idea is to achieve stimulation - not penetration... NevD |
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serberus Senior Member
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My husband brought home a surgical scrub brush from work the other day so I can start brushing my tummy. Sounds funny, but willing to try if it keeps the cost of a tummy tuck out. Will let you all know how it goes. |
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Krinkala Member 
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Do you suppose a shower brush will do?  |
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nevd Distinguished Member
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Do you suppose a shower brush will do? Depends on the brush. I think the bristles should be medium firm. I don't think these things are rare. Most decent-sized pharmacies sell them for a few quid (or dollars, if you're 'over the pond'). The idea is to stimulate blood flow (though it also works the lymphatic system) which supposedly helps fat cells to empty. I would stress that this is a very gradual process... But then, so apparently is recovery from drastic cosmetic surgery! NevD |
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BlushRose Senior Member 
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Thanks, NevD, for the tip......as that's one of my biggest fears, I'll start brushing now!!!:) |
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RedLeave_85 Member 
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what is that brushing thing? i don't understand.. |
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KICKIN_IT_IN_MI Member 
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Here's a great article on the subject of Skin Brushing: massageandbodywork.com/Articles/OctNov2000/skinbrushing.html -- Edited to comply with forum Terms of Use |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member 
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EEEExcellent. Just read the article and it sounds like a plan stan.. loose skin or not! I keep quite an inventory of herbs and oils as well and can't wait to incorporate the epson salt and lemon! |
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runner mommy New Member
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Hi, I'm new here ( posted my intro under a different topic ) but I just had to respond to your question about skin brushing hurting... 2 pregnancies ( my weight while pregnant was 195 pounds, I'm 5' 3 1/2" ) and a weight loss of 55 pounds ( but probably mostly the pregnancy, my belly got HUGE!!!) left me w/ a puddle of wrinkled skin on my tummy. It was a mess and of course the more weight I lost the worse it looked. I set a goal weight for myself of 120 pounds then went in and had a tummy tuck to remove the skin and make me a new belly button. I love the results but the recovery has not been an easy one. I wasn't able to jog ( something I grew to love ) for 3 months, I couldn't stand up straight for 3 weeks. I still swell w/ physical activity ( like jogging...but I don't care, I do it anyways ). Brushing my tummy sounds like it would hurt but then I laugh at myself 'cause what I did sure wasn't a pain free way about it either. Hmmm...sure would have tried the skin brushing if I had heard of that before my tummy tuck! ;) |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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I have also started taking Collegan. That's supposed to be really good for you skin. T |
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Snow Distinguished Member 
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I have been a bit worried about the tummy and just assumed that my only choice was to get a tummy tuck. I was even checking them out online and planning to save specifically for that. I just read the article on skin brushing and I'm going to do it. I have a shower brush I use on my back, but never considered using it anywhere else. Hey, it can't hurt and it's free. At the very least I will have the most exfoliated belly in NH. |
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KICKIN_IT_IN_MI Member
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"Brushing my tummy sounds like it would hurt" I don't know how you get a box around a reply so I just cut and pasted it above: When skin brushing, if you follow the brush with your other hand pressing as you slide it will stop the initial roughness of the brush. Try it. |
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suenos Moderator 
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I started doing this when I read it a couple of days ago. I admit to being a little skeptical of the long term loose skin benefits but after three days I've got skin as smooth as a baby's tush. Great suggestion! |
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Snow Distinguished Member
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Me too Suenos, and I have used the epsom salt scrub too. Feels soooo good. After only a few days with my skin feeling this good I can imagine what long term will do. I found the perfect brush for the axilla (arm pit) is a pedicure brush, then I go to the bath brush. Thanks for a great suggestion Nevd! :D |
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nevd Distinguished Member
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Glad to help... |
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peacefuljoy27 New Member
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About the skin brushing - I went to the website listed in one of these posts and found it to be really complicated. Either that, or due to the fact that I'm kinda sick right now I might just be low on patience and I want a quick answer. :) For those of you who are doing this - how long are you brushing your skin? I assume it's every day, but how long do you do it, and is it just once per day? I'm thinking of finding a good brush soon. Thanks for the advice. I've lost 90 pounds and honestly, one of the reasons I almost didn't even start a diet was because I was worried about the excess skin. I still want to lose about 40 more. So far I don't have excess skin but I have a lot of flab, and I think in a few months it will probably become excess skin. So I'm going to start this soon. Hopefully it'll help get rid of stretch marks, too. Thanks again!! Suzy |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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I don't do it just like you are supposed to but this is what I've been doing for about 2months and I can't BELIEVE the difference in my skin. I use a natural bristle back brush, I also bought the Oil of Olay In shower body lotion. After I have soaped up and rinsed off, I rub the in shower lotion all over then I start the skin brushing just like the site says from head to toe (But NOT the face)then rinse. My honey noticed a difference in three days and my belly skin has tighten up.  Last edited on 3 April 2006 09:03 am by Synicalchick |
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KICKIN_IT_IN_MI Member
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Because of the rules on this forum I cannot go into great detail but if you go to google or any other search engine you will find plenty on the subject. I will tell you that you should do it first thing in the morning before you get into the shower, start at your feet and using a dry bristle brush use long straight strokes. (You can find a brush at any natural food store) While you use one hand to pull the brush up the body toward the heart, follow the same path with the other hand with slight pressure to take away any sting you may have if you are sensitive. Stay away from your face using this type of brush, it is to harsh. Pick up a book at your local book store that tells about the dermal layer. |
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Sarbatche New Member
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I dropped a lot of weight the unhealthy way, anorexia, back in middle school. And while the tummy sucked back up fairly well, I was left with a c cup sized chest (btw, I'm male). The skin was fairly empty and folded over because of the size. Plastic surgery was the only way to get rid of that much skin. It cost $3000 and left some large scars because the surgeon had to cut an oval around each 'breast'. And finally free graft the nipple back into place. Overall, it was painful and uncomfortable and completely worth it. But only because I had no other option. The surgery was done when I was 15, one year after the weight loss, and now I'm 18 and my chest is large in a muscle bound way. Scars fade, but never truly go away. Plus people stare if they're visible. |
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Irish lass Member
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I do dry skin brushing and have been doing it for years! You can buy these brushes on line the body shop and a few others do them. Also I think you should be able to pick them up in a health food store. To test the brush to see if it is right for you brush the back of your hand it should not scrape or feel too prickly or too soft that you don't feel...it should be just right (sound like goldilocks here) You start from the foot and work your way up your leg in long sweeping strokes keeping the contact and always work in the direction of your heart, then the other leg and when you get to under your bust you beging on your arms, start on your left and work up and towards your collar bone and then the right do the same...work from undr the chin down towards your heart. If you are too rough with yourself you can bust the little blood vessels under your skin. When you get use to doing this you can get it done in about ten minutes before you have your shower. After my shower I moisturise and massage my body working again up my legs and using pressure that feels right for me...practise and do what feels good. I use Nivea Q10 and Dove firming moisturiser and then for those tough bits we all have...mine are under my chin, bust, hips and under the belly flap...I use Bio Oil there, I don't use Bio oil all over as it is too heavy for that and also much too expensive but great results on my old scar and stretch lines. I am sure genetics play apart in how your skin will turn out after losing a lot of weight...other factors also...all I know is that so far so good after losing 82lbs. my skin is pretty good, I am still on my diet journey and would like to lose about 44lbs. more in weight. So it will be interesting to see what I look like then...I have read that you should leave two months for every 14lbs. you lose in order for the skin to shrink back. Also I drink a lot of water and this does help with the condition of the skin along with good nutrition. love Irish lass  |
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Chiffa New Member 
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Wow! That's so similiar (in effect and principle) to the light beating of the skin with wet birch leaves [Veniki] Of course circulation improves, fatty deposits break up! I like your brush way better :{} |
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DaisyGirl New Member
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Ive been hearing about the skin brushing for a while too. I got one of those shower brushes. I admit to being in a rush, and not doing it every time I shower. I SHOULD!! Its for my health!! Its funny because I just got out of the shower and devoted myself to brushing, then come online and stumble across this. I myself, was 220 lbs, now Im 140. Its tough to be unhappy with your self image for so long, and then you work so hard to lose the weight.. and you STILL have something to make you unhappy. I think "How am I going to have this great body now, but have stretch marks all over it and loose skin!?". I heard that skin brushing will reduce stretch marks too. That would be great. I just do what I can do, and its great to find forums like this online where we could all give tried and true tips and tricks! My biggest concern with post weight loss, is my breasts. There is NO remedy that I know of that will put them back to the way theyre supposed to be even a little bit. This upsets me greatly. I could deal with the skin on my stomach not being perfect, or the stretch marks. Those are my battle scars. But breasts are the most feminine feature we have. I feel like Im less of a woman now. Breasts lifts scare me, and I cant afford it anyway. Im going to start brushing them too. lmao |
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Aquastar48 New Member
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Kool, skin brushing, and beating, please be careful of the bristles being hard on the skins surface. If you have lost weight and have the loose skin stimulation is a good way to go. BUT, the elasticity and the moisture, and the circulation or the blood getting to the surface of the skin is jepordized. Time to heal is the biggest factor. If anyone here has ever done Life Guard rescue on Hypothirmia victims? The first thing we learned is that the body pulls all moisture toward the center of the body and the skin is in jepordy if you pull on the body to roll it over or pull it into a boat. Extreme care has to be taken to move this victom because the skin rolls off the underlayers of the musle tissue easily. Stimulation and getting the blood to flow to the surface is a good thing but dont dry out the surface of the skin, because this may break down. I would say get a consult with a surgeon, or a practicitioner, they don't willy nilly do surgeries that you don't need but will look the skin over YOUR CONDITION and give you an individualized process of how to return your skin to a almost normal structure without surgery. Or be honest with you and tell you what surgery you can get to help. It is sad that one looses weight, it is hard work, without the elasticity of the skin returning. But Healing is what the skin needs, Time, it took time to loose weight, it will take some time to repair the rest naturally. Thank you Dee (Aquastar48) |
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miss katz Distinguished Member 
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From what I have read and researched and from my own experience my advice would be: moisturize after washing your skin or being in cold weather. Soap and water removes moisture so you have to put it back in. Also protect your skin from the sun because the sun is the number one cause of ageing in the skin, it dries it out, causes it to sag and causes age spots. I hear 70% of the sun damage occurs in the summer so don't lay out roasting in the sun or you will see the effects I'm talking about in 10 years. I'm fair, and I can see the sun damage on myself from those days of wearing sleeveless shirts and being in the sun with no sunglasses. Self-tanner is made for a reason. I agree with the posters that say drink water and don't gain and lose the same 10lbs. because as you get older you lose elasticity in the skin. From lack of moisture, sun-damage and over-stretching. Hopefully in the future there will be better cures for these problems. As for breasts, I have large breasts and they have always sagged. It is natural. Hollywood sells a fantasy and you usually have to pay for it, money wise or health wise. That is not what real boobs look like. Burn the bras! Just kidding:) I wear a bra to prevent further sagging and try not to jump around to much when I exercise. I have enough stretchmarks, I don't want more. I always joke to my cousin that I need a bra for my belly when I run because the skin flops up and down. I guess I have to support that too or it will end up like my breasts. Self-acceptance is the best cure of course and being confident no matter what you look like. It's good for the soul. |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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nevd wrote: Are you serious? And it FEELS Fabulous! |
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Scoobees Distinguished Member 
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Wow...I've been here how long - and have never seen this topic? I sure wish I would have read this awhile ago...maybe it would have helped during my weight loss over this past year. I have lots of loose, sagging skin - tummy, thighs, upper arms. I did a search on this skin brushing topic and came up with lots of hopefully useful info. Wide range of stuff - from very simplistic to very specific complicated ways to brush. Some say head/neck first; some say feet first - but all agree on brushing towards the heart. I think I just may buy one of those brushes and give it a try...sure beats the price of surgery! |
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Beth Distinguished Member 
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I know this subject and posts are fairly old. I've got 80 lbs to lose and I am worried about the excess skin thing. I'm glad to find this post because I can start now and hope it helps some. I am terrified of doctors and hospitals and figure my best chance to stay alive is to stay out of the hospital. No gastric bypass for me. I'll do just about anything to avoid having surgery to remove excess skin. I tried brushing my skin today with the bath brush and it hurt! Went to Sally's and got one of those little face brushes. I'll try to use both brushes. I also bought another batch of jojoba oil and shea butter. I've been using them for about 9 months and they are great products for my super sensitive skin. I am surely going to give this idea a try! Thanks to you all for your info. |
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Victor version 4.0 Distinguished Member 
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miss katz wrote: ........ Hollywood sells a fantasy and you usually have to pay for it, money wise or health wise. ....... I always joke to my cousin that I need a bra for my belly when I run because the skin flops up and down. I guess I have to support that too ........ AMEN to point #1! And you are right about "support", Untill my "tissue removal" I always wore athletic "compression" shorts to keep the "jiggles" to a minimum. V |
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nina0806 New Member 
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wow brush? interesting.. but very cool never heard that one.. i actually work with a dermatologist and theres a pretty good laser for skin tightening.. Its called Thermage.. check it out.. its pretty cool.. hey anything to try to avoid going under the knife.. here a link of pictures and an explanation of it.. http://www.dermatologicsolutions.com/thermage.html nina |
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Beth Distinguished Member
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Nina, this looks interesting! Thanks for sharing. I will check into it! |
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Petals121 New Member
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Wow. I am so happy to have found this topic. I had the breast lift / reduction surgery after my last child (if anyone has any questions I'd be happy to respond) and so far my weight gain hasn't really changed the breasts so I won't need that again, but I was scared about the sagging skin on my tummy. That's where I carry the bulk of my weight. I'm going to start the skin brushing as soon as I go get a brush. Not only does it sound like a sound solution, I believe in natural remedies, but it sounds like it would be relaxing and stimulating at the same time. Definitely a great way to spend some time focusing on my wellbeing and getting back in touch with my body....Ooh, that didn't sound quite right huh? LOL You know what I mean. |
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nina0806 New Member
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no problem beth..its not ofcourse surgical results but hey its a pretty good improvement.. :) good luck :) |
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omnifitness New Member
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Daily skin Brushing is probably a gimmick the skin has a resiliency to it, but only so much The skin replenishes it's self every few years. the reason 1 or two years later we do not have beautiful skin again is because of cell replication and free radicals produced by the body. You create a map of your future self by what you did yesterday Ie foods you take in nutrient value, habits ie smoking ,drinking, eating junk food ect. the body only performs as well as we treat it. there are some things that you can do. an example would be to treat the skin with a antoxident like vitamin E oil making sure your antioxident that you are taking are sufficient. buy a book on vitamin and antioxident therapy and follow the suggestions. Depending on how much skin that you have cosmetic surgury is probably your only option. there are many scams out there so buyer beware. The best way to not have to deal with the problems of lose skin is not to streatch it out in the first place, but thats probably not realistic at this point. Sorry if it's not what you wanted to hear but thats life Thank You Dan Moser Last edited on 5 September 2008 09:54 am by |
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