Weight gain and loss, especially if it happens quickly or repeatedly can have major effects on your skin. It makes sense, your skin is an organ – the biggest one you have. The old saying, you are what you eat applies to your outside as much as your inside. Fat deposits can cause low-grade inflammation that may trigger skin disorders like psoriasis or other skin ailments. Losing weight can not only reduce symptoms of these skin diseases, but can put sufferers into complete remission according to recent reports.

On the subject of weight gain – especially during pregnancy – your skin can tell the tale. From stretch marks to breakouts, your skin is definitely aware of what is happening inside your body. Stretch marks are caused when the collagen in the dermis is stretched beyond its natural limits. As the collagen is damaged, the blood vessels dilate and the result is the reddish purple stretch marks every pregnant woman prays to avoid. Over time, the damaged skin actually loses its pigment and becomes white – less noticeable on fair-skinned people, but definitely still there.

Weight gain outside of pregnancy can also give rise to stretch marks if it happens quickly. But it’s the cause of the weight gain (normally a poor diet and lack of exercise) that can also be troublesome for your skin. Typically, such weigh increases are the result of eating more processed foods (and we’re not just talking about a Twinkie here and there). Processed foods, especially when consumed in large quantities, flood your body with huge amounts of trans fats, sugar and preservatives – in other words, lots of stuff you don’t want or need in your system. For instance, excess sugar in your diet can actually accelerate the aging process of your skin by attacking the existing collagen in your skin and also effectively blocking the production of more. Add that to the stretching going on and that’s bad news.

On the other side of the equation, rapid weight loss can have a damaging impact on your skin as well. Particularly in the case of patients who have undergone gastric bypass or gastric banding, the body shrinks more quickly than the skin, leaving droopiness on the abdomen, thighs, arms and even the face. Similar results can be seen as a result of extreme use of diet pills and/or fasting. For these reasons and countless other health reasons, most doctors are advocates of gradual consistent weight loss centered on a healthy diet and exercise program.

In fact a lifestyle of healthy eating habits and daily exercise can take years off your appearance. From the added antioxidants and vitamins present in a balanced diet to the decreased sugar intake, the collagen in your skin will be able to repair itself and continue to manufacture more. The result? Fine lines and wrinkles can actually fade and your skin can regain the taut elasticity of your youth. You may also notice a difference in your complexion. With fewer toxins to be processed and regular exercise to keep your body’s natural detoxification cycle moving, your skin will look better and feel better.

For a skin-healthy diet, try including more of the following foods in your daily menu: fruit, vegetables (green peppers and tomatoes are good starting points), low-fat protein (chicken or fish are great choices), low-fat dairy products (milk and yogurt are great, but watch out for sugar), whole grains (remember oatmeal?) and good fats (like olive oil, some cheeses, etc.).

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