Lost Weight...Gained Wrinkles?

In a word....yes.
Less fat = more wrinkles. It's a trade off, but I'm still happy to be smaller, the wrinkles were always going to come sooner or later anyway.

I've read that going below 21% body fat makes things worse, fwiw. Also if your workouts are outside, make sure to wear a good sunblock.

When I first started losing I was doing through cardio alone and I noticed that my skin started to lose its elasticity as well. And all the places I used to be firm were starting to feel saggy/empty. I started a weightlifting program (the New Rules of Lifting for Women) and made sure to drink lots of water and moisturize religiously and I've noticed a huge difference in the appearance of my skin all over. I'm still slowly losing but in 3.5 months of lifting I've lost inches everywhere and I'm much firmer/tighter. I'd recommend a good strength training program (heavy lifting) if you haven't already started one. I'm around your same age (32 years old) so I'll be damned if I'm going to accept a flat *kitten* and wrinkles this young! :drinker::smokin:

There are factors other than weight that can make a huge difference (I've learned this from experience, but the science is out there, too, if you want to look for it.). Eat lots of veggies and fruits, don't smoke, and get plenty of sleep. And I agree, weight training also helps a lot.

bump

At age 50 I know that I will be facing this problem when the weight comes off.
I have a friend who had GBS and it aged her horribly. She is ten years younger than I am and has three times the wrinkles. But sometimes we have to make the decision of health over appearance.

Did you cut way back on fats? If you regularly come in under your fat goal, add some fats back into your diet. Work on staying hydrated. You may also need to switch up all your face products to more moisturizing ones: cleansers, moisturizers, foundations, etc.

ETA: I peeked at a few days of your diary. Increasing your protein might help a little.

Fat and protein are essential to keeping your skin more elastic--so is proper hydration. If you are following a lower carb plan, make sure that you get enough salt in your diet as lower carb plans tend to dehydrate. Sugar, in most any form, will form glycation compounds in the tiny blood vessels that nourish the skin and thus also interfere with good circulation in the skin--leading to dull, dry, inelastic skin. So nix the sugar as much as possible except for a small amount of honey (which has anti-oxidant benefits---and PURE 100% maple syrup (which has 56 different polyphenols that the body uses to fight cell oxidation--one cause of wrinkles. It is important for skin health---as for every facet of health--that you eat as healthfully as you can.

Also, last but not least, aim for a slow and steady weight loss (something like 1 pound a week). Too quick a weight loss does terrible things to the skin.

Also, it wouldn't hurt to use a moisturizer with hyaluronic acid in it--as that will stimulate collagen formation in the skin. (Loss of collagen in the skin causes the structure of the skin to breakdown, leading to wrinkling.) For heavier duty, there are hyaluronic acid serums for application to the skin---pricey though. Pricier still are hyaluronic acid injections and since hyaluronic acid is typically present in every cell of the body, there is no fear of side effect---just make sure that the professional who does the injections knows what he/she is doing. Hyaluronic acid moisturizers and serums usually contain Vitamin C to help your skin absorb them better. There are hyaluronic acid oral supplements that you can take (some arthritis sufferers take them to stimulate the regrowth of damaged joint cartilage) but I have no experience with them, so I don't know if they are good or bad. Certainly, if you are going to go that route, it would be best to consult a naturopath as to the possible benefits of a hyaluronic acid supplement and he/she will steer you to a reputable manufacturer.

I was happy to read about jowels tightening up. theres some good tips in here. thanks

You often see people on tv who have lost lots of weight but gained years in their faces......guess it's bound to happen if your fat cells are shrinking then the skin will sit differently over the surface.....bit depressing really!! :ohwell:

A balloon doesn't have wrinkles!! I am 51 and have shrunk quite a lot. I do have wrinkles now but I think my face will catch up eventually. My stomach looks like a 3D road map but I am proud of my shrivelled body - it's my battle ground, and I am winning! I did this in 10 months from Jan this year.