For bariatric patients, the journey of weight loss both before and after surgery causes not just physical transformations but also emotional and psychological changes too. While your primary focus may revolve around weight loss milestones and lifestyle changes, there’s an essential aspect that frequently goes unnoticed: skin care. Obesity, whether managed through dietary changes or surgical interventions, often has a profound impact on the skin’s health and appearance.
Skin is the body’s largest organ, and its condition often reflects our internal changes and challenges. For those working to reduce obesity or recovering from bariatric surgery, the skin around the body can change a lot throughout their weight loss journey. Our complete guide to skin care for bariatric patients will help you find out more about obesity and its effects on the skin. We have some practical solutions which help you make sure that as your body transforms, your skin remains healthy, resilient and radiant.
Obesity is a common concern for an increasing number of people. It can bring with it multiple health issues, and skin problems are no exception. Our skin acts as a mirror, reflecting our internal health. Skin can often present symptoms of deeper, underlying health problems too. For those with obesity, excessive body fat presents many unique problems.
The insulating properties of body fat tissue lead to increased body temperatures. This rise in temperature results in excessive sweating, especially in areas where skin folds are present. The accumulated moisture in these folds becomes a breeding ground for bacterial and fungal infections, irritating the skin.
On top of these issues, the additional weight and volume of fatty tissue can lead to reduced mobility, increasing the risk of pressure injuries. It can also prevent exercise, which can be an effective treatment for obesity. These factors all combine to make monitoring the skin and treating it with appropriate skin care incredibly important for people managing obesity.
Obesity can lead to impaired wound healing, increased moisture in skin folds, and pressure injuries due to impaired mobility. Weight loss after surgery can often make these areas more visible but also make them easier to treat. Continued treatment and weight loss will treat obesity related skin problems completely.
Regular skin cleansing with hygiene aids, moisturising, and the use of topical treatments like creams can help manage these conditions. Pay close attention to washing and drying the skin to ensure it is clean and free from bathing water before applying any creams or moisturisers.
Yes, pH balanced liquid soaps, washing and hygiene aids, barrier creams and topical antifungal creams are some recommended products for treating common obesity related skin conditions. Weight loss will lead to long lasting effects that will require less treatment as your weight decreases.
Regular moisturising, a balanced diet rich in essential nutrients and staying hydrated can promote skin health and elasticity. As weight loss continues, the results of the skincare will become more apparent and the conditions less irritating or worrisome. This is just one more positive effect of sustaining weight loss.
Caring for the skin as a bariatric patient requires consistent attention, treatment and an understanding of the unique challenges posed by obesity. With the right knowledge and care routine, it is possible to maintain healthy skin and address any issues promptly.
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