Worried :(

When I was about 20, I lost 80 pounds. I had no lose skin, and my stretch marks faded significantly. When I got pregnant at 32, I gained back all this weight and then some, and once I lost it, I had some lose skin...I got pregnant again 2 years later, and after losing most of the weight, I am feeling a little bit like a shar pei (not sure of the spelling, but you know the wrinkly dogs from China?)...I am almost 40...I have lost a lot of collegen, and I don't have the time I had when I was younger to take care of myself.

I will suggest that you check out t-tapp.com. Teresa Tapp sells a line of skin tightening products that may be helpful (I used them alot prechildren), and I still brush my skin. I'm not sure if the brushing is tightening my skin, but it sure as heck feels good!

Good luck...I think you'll be fine as long as you lose slowly and don't fluctuate alot.

This is one of those things that you probably shouldn't worry about until you get there.

Lose weight slowly (1-2lbs a week). Lift weights. Get sufficient protein (1gram for every pound of your goal weight would work). Eat fruits, veggies, get enough fat (fat is good for skin), take vitamins, and fish oil. I think that's all you can do. I don't think any of those lotions are worth the money.

strength train, you're young, you'll be fine. Also if you lose the weight slowly you won't have as much loose skin because you'll give it time to tighten up

And really, with your eyes, noone will notice a little lose skin.

Your skin is young, it will bounce back nicely given TIME and if you lose weight slowly, plus exercise and keep the blood flowing to it with exercise, weight training etc. I lost 100 pounds when I was that age (ok, almost 100, more like 92) and i had NO loose skin at all, after a year around that.

Now, I worry, but I am 40. That said, I would still much rather wear the loose skin than the fat underneath the same amount of skin. But at your age, don't worry about such things. Just eat right, exercise and let your youth do its job

Dry skin brushing toward the heart is said to help, also massaging with a nice, rich lotion. At your age, I don't think you have much to worry about. Been there, done that, no loose skin.

Take it slow and all should be well. Water + Dietary fats are very important - get plenty of both, and perhaps consider a fish oil supplement

I'm 21 and have lost 45 lbs with more to go, and I have loose akin on my stomach. As much as I hate it, I hated the extra weight more.

You are young and that is the best thing to help against loose skin. So lose the weight while you are young!

Best things you can do:
1. Stay hydrated.
2. Stay moisturized. Lotions with cocoa butter, CoQ10, or collagen elastin help. Luv the collagen elastin lotion from St. Ives!
3. Don't yo-yo diet, your skin can't keep up. Same with rapid weightloss. Don't aim to lose more than 2 lbs a week.
4. Massage helps.
5. Most importantly, exercise! Especially strength training helps with loose skin. Don't wait till you reach goal to pick up some weights.

I lost nearly 70 lbs when I was 30 and didnt have any extra skin. Gained it back but I have lost nearly 60 lbs this time around and I still dont have loose skin yet. And I'm 35. So I think you'll be fine losing 80 lbs at 21 years old.

I lost 80 lbs in 9 months at age 41 and don't have any loose skin. . My good friend lost the same amount of weight in 12 months at age 28 and she has tons of loose skin. We followed the same exercise schedule - bootcamp 3 or 4 days a week. A lot of whether your skin bounces back is genetics.

Loose skin is a result of excess fat still under the skin. If you continue to get in shape, it will reduce.

I've lost 85lbs, I have some loose skin, particularly on my arms and lower abdomen. I am about a decade older than you. Genetics will play a big part in whether or not you get it, and I'm sure your age will be an advantage. I've never heard any definitive answers on things that definitely work, but the things that seem to be mentioned over and over are to lose weight as slowly as possible (not a bad idea anyway to be honest), to keep well hydrated, to strength train as you lose and to keep the skin moisturised. Bio oil by Bioré is one that I've seen recommended for stretch marks and loose skin.

Mine hasn't improved very much so far, but I've also heard people say that time can work wonders, and that a couple of years after reaching your goal, things should have improved.

Really, my loose skin isn't that bad, and it's only visible to most people if I wear strapless tops. I have to say though, even if it was a lot worse, losing the weight is still absolutely 100% worth it. Work on that confidence now! I know it's a cliché, but confidence really does come from within. Loose skin will only drag your confidence down if you let it. You're a beautiful young woman, and you're going to rock that new body. Build up your confidence to go with the body, and people won't even notice the flaws. I know it sounds easier said than done. I read on your profile that you want to like what you see in the mirror. For many years, that's what I really wanted too. Yesterday, I was looking in the mirror, and I was so busy admiring the definition in the top of my upper arms, that I didn't remember the loose skin underneath. I would quite happily go out showing my arms off, and knowing that they look just as good (if not better) than a lot of other people's.

I didn't always feel that confidence, and I know that some of it comes with age, and not being surrounded with so many image-obsessed young things, as maybe you are at 20. Something to think about though, and definitely don't let it put you off losing the weight, or showing off your body (if that's what you want to do!) as you get more comfortable with it.