How to Fix Flabby Abdominal Skin: Devices, Creams, and Surgical Options
Flabby abdominal skin is one of the most common concerns I hear about in the clinic, and it’s not just about appearance. For many people, loose or crepey skin on the belly can affect how clothes fit, how confident you feel, and even your motivation to hit the beach in a bikini.
But here’s the thing: not all “flabby” skin is the same. Understanding the difference is key to choosing the right treatment.
Loose Skin vs. Crepey Skin — What’s the Difference?
Loose skin is usually the result of significant weight loss, pregnancy, or age-related collagen loss. It often hangs or folds, and unfortunately, no cream on earth will shrink it back to its pre-stretched state. This type of skin laxity responds best to skin-tightening devices or, in more advanced cases, surgical options like a tummy tuck.
Crepey skin, on the other hand, looks thin, finely wrinkled, and crinkly, like crepe paper. This is often from sun damage, collagen breakdown, or normal aging. While crepey skin doesn’t need surgical removal, it can benefit from topical treatments and non-invasive tightening procedures.
Devices That Can Tighten Abdominal Skin
If your belly skin is more loose than crepey, certain energy-based devices can help stimulate collagen production and tighten the skin over time:
Radiofrequency (RF) Devices – Examples include Thermage or Exilis. They heat the deeper skin layers to trigger collagen remodeling, improving firmness gradually.
Microneedling with Radiofrequency – Like Morpheus8 or Secret RF, these combine skin-needling with RF heat to boost both surface texture and deeper firmness.
Ultrasound Devices – Such as Ultherapy, which uses focused ultrasound to target deep tissue layers and encourage tightening.
Laser Skin Tightening – Certain non-ablative lasers stimulate collagen while improving texture and tone.
When Surgery is the Best Option
If the skin is significantly stretched and sagging, especially after pregnancy or major weight loss, abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) performed by a board-certified plastic surgeon is the gold standard. No device will match the dramatic results of surgery in these cases.
Treatments for Crepey Belly Skin
For finer, crinkly texture without major sagging, topical treatments can help improve skin quality:
Prescription Retinoids – Increase collagen production and improve firmness over time (my favorite!)
Amlactin or Other Lactic Acid Lotions – Provide gentle exfoliation, improve smoothness, and offer subtle firming benefits.
Antioxidant Serums – Help protect against further collagen breakdown.
Pair these with professional treatments like microneedling, light chemical peels, or RF-based tightening for even better results.
The Bottom Line
Not all flabby abdominal skin is created equal, and not all treatments will work for every type.
Loose skin: Think devices or surgery.
Crepey skin: Think topicals and mild tightening treatments.
Want a deeper dive into the science and treatment options? Check out Episode 8 of my podcast, Derm Next Door, where we talk about all things flabby belly and what really works.