3 Ways To Reduce Saggy Arms
Losing weight or the loss of skin elasticity as you age are the major culprits for saggy arms. For many people, this issue can make them uncomfortable wearing the clothing they want. There are several options to tighten or decrease excess skin on your arms.
1. Lift Weights
If your saggy skin is minimal, the best way to eliminate it is by gaining muscle in your arms. You will need to do exercises that help build both the biceps and triceps. Even minor gains in your arm muscles can help fill out loose skin and give your arms a better shape. The easiest exercises to do a bicep and tricep curls. Start with a dumbbell that is a low enough weight for you to perform the exercises correctly, but heavy enough so that you feel like you are working.
Try starting out with three sets of high volume reps, such as 12 to 15 reps, three times per week. As the exercise becomes easier, start increasing your weight. To build muscle, make sure you are consuming enough calories and protein in your diet each day.
2. Radiofrequency Assisted Liposuction
A device that uses radiofrequency assisted liposuction (RFAL) not only decreases fat in your arms, but the radiofrequency also helps tighten loose skin. The procedure is ideal for people who have mild saggy skin on their arms but also have some fat pockets that need to be removed. RFAL involves inserting a cannula into your arms, which will emit radiofrequency energy. A device is simultaneously used externally.
The two devices work in conjunction to melt fat by using controlled heat and remove the destroyed tissue. Unlike liposuction which can cause significant bruising and swelling after the procedure, RFAL causes minimal trauma to the skin. Additionally, you only need a small incision; just enough to insert the cannula. Liposuction cannot simultaneously tighten the skin, but RFAL can.
3. Brachioplasty
Brachioplasty is usually reserved for people with significant loose skin, usually after a major weight loss. Each plastic surgeon has different surgical techniques to minimize scarring. The type of incision you have will depend on how much skin needs to be removed. Generally, you will have an incision starting inside your armpit that approaches your elbows. The incision is made on the inside of your arm so that it is hidden when your arms are at your side. Some surgeons use techniques that require smaller incisions placed inside the armpit, so there is no visible scar. Incisions that are not a straight line and those on the back of the arms generally have less scarring. If you are considering Brachioplasty, you should ask your surgeon about the techniques they typically use to keep scarring to a minimum.
Having saggy skin on your upper arms can make you feel self-conscious, especially since many fashion trends do not have sleeves. Fortunately, there are options for people with varying degrees of loose skin to feel more secure about their arms. For more information on arm lift procedures, contact your local cosmetic surgery center.