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Sat Jun 04, 2011 3:13 pm |
Hi, Everyone, I MUST do something about my sagging underarm skin. It is absolutely disgusting!
I am thin, very post meno, and work out 5 days a week at the gym (and have for years and years). I really cannot believe what I look like. No way in the world will I go sleeveless. Very embarrassing. It really bums me out big time because I do work out! I talked to one of the fitness instructors about this issue. She was very sweet. She said I was doing all the right things, but age has caused me to lose elasticity in my skin. Please believe me when I say my batwings are not a result of unhealthy living and inactivity.
Anyway, I'm considering some kind of professional treatment. I really, really hate to think of spending the money. However, if somehow I knew for a fact the results would last 5 years or so, I'd definitely go for it.
Just this morning I read on the web about a home treatment where you take Preparation H, rub it on the sag, and wrap in plastic wrap. You're supposed to leave it on overnight. Of course, it's temporary.
What do y'all think? Thank you. |
_________________ 65 Caucasion, history of acne, sagging, some wrinkling, rough texture. Using Dermawand, AALS, Microderm Machine,Copper Peptides |
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Sat Jun 04, 2011 3:31 pm |
You could have surgery to cut off the extra skin but you'd be left with scars. You could start lifting heavier so your muscles get bigger and fill out the extra skin. Other than that, I doubt there is anything you can do. I am also slim and fit and have the same problem. When I flex, you can see biceps and triceps, but when I relax, I look almost as bad as women who don't work out. It won't stop me from exercising because I like being strong and healthy. I just wish more garment manufacturers would make tops and dresses with sleeves, at least ones that just cover the elbow. |
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Sat Jun 04, 2011 4:48 pm |
Yeah I agree with softskin - you will need plastic surgery to remove the excess skin if it's as serious as you're making it sound. Exfoliating and laser treatment simply won't work because that's just too much skin to take off, no offense. |
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Sat Jun 04, 2011 8:29 pm |
Thanks for your comments. I've heard the scars left from surgery are really bad. I won't go that route. I was hoping there was some kind of laser or SOMETHING along those lines that would help.
My arms look like I have never worked out a day in my life. Believe me, there are many, many women who don't work out at all who look much better in tank tops and other sleeveless tops and dresses than I do. Honestly. It's really disheartening. |
_________________ 65 Caucasion, history of acne, sagging, some wrinkling, rough texture. Using Dermawand, AALS, Microderm Machine,Copper Peptides |
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Sun Jun 05, 2011 6:06 am |
I agree with the others have said.
You might want to having a consult with a PS. Depending on how much skin you have, it might not be like a full lift where you would have a scar all the way down your arm. |
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Sun Jun 05, 2011 10:10 am |
That sounds very frustrating, especially if you are working out. This seems to be a common problem for women and targeting the triceps is the best way to do it.
If you are really working the specific tricep area heavily without result then excess skin removal, although more drastic, might be your next choice if that is truly what you want. I know of people who have lost large amounts of weight and had to have it done on their underarms due to that problem.
That is certainly not a decision to take lightly but I would research carefully who you choose to do the surgery. Scars and/or a jagged scar line would be permanant and harder to conceal.
Maybe step up your tricep campaign harder, random throughout the day as well to see if anymore improvement can be made. It sounds like you have tried everything, but it couldn't hurt!
I do tricep pushups off the bar, coffeetable, etc. all day whenever I have a moment and think about it. It has made all the differance. I had stopped working out for a while, they got saggy, but now they are tighter and back to near normal. No gym needed, just some handweights and time!
Good luck and keep us posted on what you decide to do. |
_________________ Joined the 50 club several years back, blonde w/ fair/sensitive skin, Texas humidity and prone to rosacea, light breakouts and sunburns, combo skin type, starting to see sundamage and fine lines |
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Sun Jun 05, 2011 10:23 am |
Sit on an armless chair with 1 5lb weight in each hand and do 3 sets of 8 to 10 reps of this exercise. With weights in hands, move arms back slowly and back to start.....8 to 10 reps.
Or go to bodyrock.tv and see what Suzanna does for her arms.......AMAZING.
Use surgery as a last resort. No cream will fix it..you would be waisting your money. |
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Sun Jun 05, 2011 10:36 am |
If you hold fat in that area, dieting away the fat will enable the results of your arm work to show through.
This woman is 64 yet in this clip you can see that it appears that she has flabby triceps but they are merely large muscles in a state of relaxation for some moves. Even body builders with their arms at rest or even extended straight out and relaxed, look like they have saggy upper arms.
http://www.bodyelectrictv.com/bestorefront/shopexd.asp?id=118 |
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Sun Jun 05, 2011 6:57 pm |
Just thinking here, but all the things that are supposed to help the face , I would think and hope that maybe derma rolling and dry skin brushing, massaging and all that stuff could help? And maybe adding a cream that has estrogen or progesterone in it - that is supposed to help skin too.
Also , If you look at carol Maggio's sight, she has all kinds of creams and loofa things for the body that she says helps the skin all over. And I know a lot of people here on this site have posted that they are very happy with all that her stuff has done for them. I am not familiar with what those items are, But I would go look.
Also look into the skin brushing, massaging and use the skin creams that have copper peptides in them? Neutrogena has a mild one to start with.
Also I remember green cream was a huge help for some people. |
_________________ I'm Cathy, 54 yrs old. Flexeffect Certified Trainer in the 2004 vrsn - not the newer one. using flexeffect sincee 1999. |
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Wed Jun 08, 2011 9:00 am |
Hi, Everybody, I really appreciate all your helpful tips. Here's what I've been doing the past 3 days. I the a.m., I drybrush (which I've been doing well over a year) and massage in Skin Biology's Skin Signals cream. In the evening, please do laugh too hard, I apply Preparation H and wrap my upper arms with Saran Plastic Wrap. Of course, I have NO idea if this is benefitting me at all.
Do any of you know if Wellbox would be helpful for my flappy, saggy arms? THANK YOU! |
_________________ 65 Caucasion, history of acne, sagging, some wrinkling, rough texture. Using Dermawand, AALS, Microderm Machine,Copper Peptides |
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Wed Jun 08, 2011 1:25 pm |
Mars, I guarantee this will work:
wear sleeves.
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Wed Jun 08, 2011 2:40 pm |
HAHAHAHA Believe me, I do wear sleeves. I'm embarrassed not to. However, it gets really hot here in 90+ degrees weather. |
_________________ 65 Caucasion, history of acne, sagging, some wrinkling, rough texture. Using Dermawand, AALS, Microderm Machine,Copper Peptides |
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Wed Jun 08, 2011 5:43 pm |
Hi Mars - Have you tried the arm exercises that Callen Pickney does on Callenetics? These are different - one in particular is aimed at tightening that! area. Not weights. |
_________________ Enjoying dermalogica with my ASG and Pico toner ** Disclosure: I was a participant without remuneration in promotional videos for Ageless Secret Gold and the Neurotris Pico Emmy event. |
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Wed Jun 08, 2011 6:38 pm |
Mars wrote: |
Hi, Everybody, I really appreciate all your helpful tips. Here's what I've been doing the past 3 days. I the a.m., I drybrush (which I've been doing well over a year) and massage in Skin Biology's Skin Signals cream. In the evening, please do laugh too hard, I apply Preparation H and wrap my upper arms with Saran Plastic Wrap. Of course, I have NO idea if this is benefitting me at all.
Do any of you know if Wellbox would be helpful for my flappy, saggy arms? THANK YOU! |
I'm 10 + years younger, but starting to have the same issues. I'm really worried about this in the future, so I am really working on a plan now to see what I can do. I would think that dry brushing and CP's/ along with some exfoliation, maybe an acid, will help over time. I wouldn't get discouraged if it takes even a year or so with the CPs. Also MSM and a hair, skin, nail type vitamin formula with silica. I am even considering Retin A as it is supposed to help build collagen along with a Vitamin C serum/ lotion.
In the short run, have you tried the Neutrogena skin firming lotion? I am really impressed with what it does for a lotion if I use it morning and evening. Also Carole Maggio has a body lifting 'lotion', pretty pricey, but has good reviews. I have it, but haven't tried it yet as you have to put it on, wait and wash it off, I'll let you know if it's worth it or not. Also I think a good oil like coconut or macadamia, Bio Oil etc.
I have even researched Thermage or some type of laser tightening. Another thing is that if you have done the same type of workout for several years, you may need to switch it up. I am going to start up a power yoga program and Tracy Anderson's program which I have heard really tightens the skin to the muscle ( but maybe that's for 30 year olds )
This is my goal for the summer !!! I know Antonia that posts here and blogs ( can't remember her blog name ) has the same issue, so I'm hoping she figures it out soon |
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Wed Jun 08, 2011 6:53 pm |
The thing that I think is EXTREMELY important:
Work your triceps in as many ways as possible. Don't just do tri-cep pushdowns for example. You want to add rotation and everything... It's important that when you work your arm that you hit it ALL the way around. Not just one angle.
I do a knuckle massage on my arms in the shower.
First I soap up with my body brush... THEN, I make a fist, and use my knuckles to smash the heck out of the tissues. This also feels good when you've over worked your muscles and they are sore.
If you don't have stretch marks, in theory, you can fill out the area, and help the tissues thicken up.
You could try anything that helps thicken skin too... Retin-A, and serums with matrixyl and such...
And then finally, flattering sleeves... |
_________________ Claudia of FlexEffect... 43, fair skin, occasional breakout, Using ECO FROG (my own=disclaimer), and TrueScience (I also sell this)... Happy with that...Come visit on FB! |
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Thu Jun 09, 2011 8:09 am |
I love all your suggestions! Thank you. I checked out some Callenetics. I will be trying those.
I neglected to tell you I've been been applying topical liquid MSM to the fronts of my thighs (cellulite ) and my underarms. Also, I've been applying LIERAC Body Activ Modelage cream. It's supposed to be helpful for loose "mature" skin.
I'm seriously considering purchasing Wellbox. It's expensive, but it's supposed to deliver.
I think what really gets me is the fact that I've done "all the right things" for decades, and now I have to cover up. BOOOOOOOOO! |
_________________ 65 Caucasion, history of acne, sagging, some wrinkling, rough texture. Using Dermawand, AALS, Microderm Machine,Copper Peptides |
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Thu Jun 09, 2011 8:12 am |
I see in your bio line you use a derma wand? Have you used it on your arms too? |
_________________ I'm Cathy, 54 yrs old. Flexeffect Certified Trainer in the 2004 vrsn - not the newer one. using flexeffect sincee 1999. |
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Thu Jun 09, 2011 8:41 am |
No. I never thought of using my DW on that area. Do you think it woud help? My sag is really bad. |
_________________ 65 Caucasion, history of acne, sagging, some wrinkling, rough texture. Using Dermawand, AALS, Microderm Machine,Copper Peptides |
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Thu Jun 09, 2011 9:47 am |
Mars wrote: |
I love all your suggestions! Thank you. I checked out some Callenetics. I will be trying those.
I neglected to tell you I've been been applying topical liquid MSM to the fronts of my thighs (cellulite ) and my underarms. Also, I've been applying LIERAC Body Activ Modelage cream. It's supposed to be helpful for loose "mature" skin.
I'm seriously considering purchasing Wellbox. It's expensive, but it's supposed to deliver.
I think what really gets me is the fact that I've done "all the right things" for decades, and now I have to cover up. BOOOOOOOOO! |
Not Fair |
_________________ Enjoying dermalogica with my ASG and Pico toner ** Disclosure: I was a participant without remuneration in promotional videos for Ageless Secret Gold and the Neurotris Pico Emmy event. |
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Thu Jun 09, 2011 2:56 pm |
Mars wrote: |
HAHAHAHA Believe me, I do wear sleeves. I'm embarrassed not to. However, it gets really hot here in 90+ degrees weather. |
I have a few lacy tops with short and long sleeves. The air gets through but you can't really see a lot of skin. Sheer and crocheted tops work as well. You'd think manufacturers would be cranking this stuff out since we Baby Boomers are a big market and would snap them all up. Even Helen Mirren complained! |
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Thu Jun 09, 2011 3:50 pm |
I know! What's up with that? |
_________________ 65 Caucasion, history of acne, sagging, some wrinkling, rough texture. Using Dermawand, AALS, Microderm Machine,Copper Peptides |
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Fri Jun 10, 2011 9:05 am |
sister sweets wrote: |
Hi Mars - Have you tried the arm exercises that Callen Pickney does on Callenetics? These are different - one in particular is aimed at tightening that! area. Not weights. |
Sis, I have been doing Callanetics for 10 years and I look great Callan's exercises are the best! Her underarm exercise works well - my triceps still burn when I get to 80 of the required 100 reps. |
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Sat Jun 11, 2011 9:55 am |
Since Oct 2008 I have been attending Curves 5-6x a week - despite my perseverance, my underarms and my inner thighs still disgust me. Within the last 4 months, I have started Pilates Rings, Pilates Reformer and within the last 2 weeks, I have added Susan Lucci's Malibu Pilates Chairs - so far the chair FEELS the most effective - I get quite "the burn". I have also recently added 30 grams of protein 3 meals a day along with amino acids also 3 times a day. As I am in my early 60's, I am starting to believe it is hormonal and am considering researching DHEA - has anyone tried DHEA? |
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Sat Jun 11, 2011 1:56 pm |
DHEA is for overall well being, not flabby limbs. I've taken 25mg for twenty years as well as using an estradiol patch and ProGest cream. These are all natural hormones that your body stops making as you get older. |
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Sat Jun 11, 2011 6:32 pm |
I take DHEA a few X a week. I don't think it's intended for body tightening. THere are many studies - controversial - with one saying one thing, another saying something else. In other words nothing really agreed upon. You should not take more than 25mg a day (female) without discussing with a naturopath or another person knowledgable in such types of supplementation. Most physicians are not. |
_________________ Enjoying dermalogica with my ASG and Pico toner ** Disclosure: I was a participant without remuneration in promotional videos for Ageless Secret Gold and the Neurotris Pico Emmy event. |
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