Fine Lines, Wrinkles and Weight

Many people are caught by surprise when they lose weight and suddenly notice more wrinkles than before. It’s not a common topic of discussion, but the relationship between weight loss and skin elasticity can be significant. 

If that’s your case, you’re not alone. This guide will iron out some of the questions behind what’s going on, so you can better understand the link between fine lines, wrinkles, and weight – plus, what to do next. 

Does losing weight cause more fine lines and wrinkles?

Yes and no. Losing weight doesn’t cause more or new wrinkles, but it does cause existing wrinkles to be more prominent. It can also cause some additional changes to the face, so let’s review. 

You lost a lot of fat – everywhere: 

Like all other parts of our body, our face has fat. That fat actually makes our complexion look fuller, more plump, and thus more youthful. When a person loses weight, they may lose a lot of that fat in the face, too. In essence, that mass exodus leaves behind looser skin and reveals the fine lines and wrinkles that may have been “hiding” underneath. 

You lost elastin:

In addition to wrinkles, loss of fat in the face can cause:

• A hollowed look 
• Sunken eyes
• Sagging jowls

This phenomenon can happen because, when you gain weight quickly, the skin has to stretch in order to accommodate the new body shape. When you lose weight and that tautness is lost, it can lead to skin sagging and a sunken appearance.

Anything else?

If your weight loss was due to medications such as semaglutide or tirzepatide, you may be wondering if they’re to blame. We get it. There’s certainly an uptick in reports of such effects after using GLP-1 medications like Ozempic® (semaglutide) for weight loss.

It’s important to conclude that this is a phenomenon that can occur after any weight loss method. It’s not new, and it’s not unique to any one drug product.

How to treat fine lines and wrinkles after weight loss?

Wrinkles are a normal part of aging. Starting in your 30s, you may notice crow’s feet that weren’t there before. In your 40s, you may see even more prominent lines. This is to be expected. 

But it’s understandable that it wasn’t a side effect you were expecting, and you may want to do something about it. Listed below are a few ways to help improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. 

Topical skincare

Your AM & PM skincare routine can help reduce wrinkles in a variety of ways. First, moisturizer keeps the skin hydrated, making it look fuller. Exfoliating regularly (and according to your skin’s needs) removes dead skin cells and helps new skin grow, making the skin smoother. 

Active ingredients – whether they’re in your face wash, serums, under eye patches, and more – can help the skin produce more collagen, which can make wrinkles less noticeable. Take a look at some powerhouse ingredients below. 

• Retinoids: Most, such as tretinoin cream, have been proven effective in the treatment of fine lines and wrinkles.
• Ceramides: Helps keep our skin barrier healthy, which is essential for optimal skin appearance. 
• Niacinamide: Slows down skin aging for reduced fine lines, plus it brightens and evens out skin tone.
• Hyaluronic Acid: A star ingredient for hydration and keeping the skin looking plump.
• Sunscreen: Prevent and protect from UV exposure – which may be responsible for up to 80% of facial aging signs.

At-home tools

You may be wondering if you can upgrade your routine at home. While there are some studies that show LED light therapy can help improve the look of wrinkles, this route is only recommended if a consistent routine (typically 15-30 minutes) is a viable option for you. 

In-clinic procedures

There are a lot of minimally invasive treatments available as well. Here are a few solutions a licensed professional can perform for you.

• Fillers: Injectables like Restylane® and Juvederm™ can help address a sunken look.
• Chemical peels: Such peels stimulate new skin to emerge, for a fresh, youthful appearance. 
• Laser therapy: concentrated light frequencies to repair and regenerate skin cells, and increase collagen production.

How do I prevent more wrinkles while losing weight?

Prevention is the best way to fight wrinkles – because once they’ve arrived, they’re hard to get rid of. Take a look at the top tips below. 

Protect with sunscreen

The sun’s rays make our skin age quicker, which is called photoaging. Opt for a broad-spectrum sunscreen – ideally SPF30 or higher – that protects against both UVB and UVA rays. Then, be sure to apply it every day. That’s right, even on cloudy days. Even on the airplane. And especially between the hours of 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Lastly, remember to reapply every two hours, even more diligently after swimming or sweating.

Find an anti-aging routine you love

The best routine is one you do every day. To keep your skin happy and healthy, use a gentle cleanser to remove oil, sweat, and pollution off your face before bed every night. Incorporate the anti-aging ingredients listed above to boost your skin where you need it most, and give your complexion the TLC it deserves. 

Fight with antioxidants 

Antioxidants fight the free radicals which turn into oxidative stress in the skin (the culprit behind premature signs of aging such as wrinkles, inflammation, and hyperpigmentation). The easiest way to add them into your routine is via serum (like a vitamin C elixir!) that you apply after cleansing and before moisturizer. 

Replenish & fuel at meal time

Water intake is vital for healthy, hydrated skin. More studies are needed on the role of nutrition in preventing wrinkles, but since weight loss is already part of the topic at hand, it’s never a bad idea to fuel your body (and, thus, your skin) with the nutrients it needs to function at its best.

Find expert help today 

Weight loss takes time and dedication. We want you to hang onto that renewed sense of self that often follows reaching your goals. If you’re experiencing side effects such as fine lines and wrinkles that are flattening your confidence, get in touch here.

Disclaimers:

• The information provided here is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. You should not rely upon the content provided here for specific medical advice. If you have any questions or concerns, please talk to your provider.

• Services and treatments, not offered in every state, include medical treatment of overweight and obesity including lifestyle counseling (e.g., diet and exercise) and prescription medications, if clinically appropriate, based on completion of  required consultation. Nurx requires regular check-ins to monitor your progress.  Weight loss may be associated with other symptoms including but not limited to muscle loss, fatigue, menstrual changes, gallstones, and mood changes. Extreme/rapid weight loss may result in nutritional deficiencies that lead to hair loss, anemia, weak bones, or increased risk of infection. Talk to your provider immediately about symptoms. Many people with overweight or obesity who lose weight have a tendency to regain all or some of the weight over time. Overweight and obesity medication efficacy increases with the addition of diet and exercise. Individual response to treatment may vary and is not guaranteed by Nurx.

Tretinoin Cream 0.05%, Rx only, treats acne, hyperpigmentation, and palliation of fine lines. Tretinoin may cause side effects, including skin peeling, flaking, and irritation. If you would like to learn more about Tretinoin, please see the full prescription information, here. You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit MedWatch: HTTPS://WWW.FDA.GOV/SAFETY/MEDWATCH /default.htm or call 1-800-FDA-1088.