Bat wings are the excess sagging skin and flab we see hanging down from the undersides of our upper arms. Flabby arms are embarrassing to say the least. They usually make people feel extremely self-conscious about how they look and influence wardrobe choices.

There are a number of factors that cause bat wings to develop, including aging, gaining/losing weight, sun damage, and hormones.

Aging

Collagen is an important building block for the human body. It is the main protein that is found in the most abundance in our body. It is contained in our muscles, bones, ligaments, blood, cartilage, and even our skin.

Our body produces collagen on a regular basis, but when we age, this production slows down. In turn, the elasticity of our skin gets negatively affected.

In addition, when we age, our body’s metabolic rate slows down, which results in us burning less calories. The fewer calories burnt, the more weight we put on (if our dietary and exercise habits remain the same). Also, our body tends to lose muscle mass, which leads to higher fat accumulation.

Over time, all these factors contribute to the creation of sagging skin and pockets of excess fat. Hanging upper-arm flab is a direct result of this.

Gaining Weight

When we gain weight, our bodies are programmed to store excess fat in certain places, usually based on our body structure and genetics. Fat is usually stored in areas like the stomach, the thighs, and the upper arms.

People who are not overweight can also fall victim to flabby arms, but people who are overweight are most prone to it.

Losing Weight

Weight loss can cause bat wings as well. We see this happening most often in the case of people who were once overweight but have experienced sudden dramatic weight loss.

The more weight we put on, the more our skin expands. Our skin is very elastic, so it can accommodate this growth, but when we lose the fat, the skin is often unable to contract back to its original form. Instead, it hangs from places like the upper arms.

Sun Damage

Too much fun in the sun can also cause our skin to sag. The sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays cause our skin to age faster. When our skin is exposed to excess sun, our skin loses elasticity. The collagen, which keeps the skin’s structure tight, gets broken down.

Hormones

Women are unfortunately more prone to developing saggy underarm skin due to two reasons. The first is hormonal. Women have lower levels of testosterone compared to men, so their bodies are more prone to storing fat in the first place.

In addition, women’s bodies are predisposed to storing fat in certain places, upper arms being one of them.

How Can I Get Rid Of My Bat Wings?

Diet and exercise may not be very effective when it comes to reduction of bat wings. If you’re looking for surefire results, it’s time to try brachioplasty surgery, also known as the arm lift.

This procedure involves the removal of excess skin and fat and the tightening of the remaining skin. Incisions are made, the sagging tissues are removed via fat-cell liposuction and skin excision, and then sutures are used to close the incisions.

Get Started with Your Arm Contouring

The best way to get started with brachioplasty surgery is by contacting the office of Dr. Carl Lentz, a well-regarded board-certified plastic surgeon. Get in touch and set up your consultation today.