‘Bingo wings’ is a term used to describe the flaps of skin that hang down from the upper arms; they are caused by excess fat, loose skin, or a combination of the two. The problem varies in severity, but often affects confidence levels and leads women (and men) to cover up with long sleeves. Bingo wings are more common in women than men, especially in older or overweight women, and are also a common side-effect of rapid weight loss. Here are 3 tips to banishing bingo wings:
1. Work those triceps
If you have bingo wings, your triceps (the muscles at the back of your arms) are loose and wobbly; any form of exercise to tone your triceps will help to shift those bingo wings. Swimming, skipping, aerobics, and boxing are especially good for toning these muscles. Or if you prefer something a little less strenuous, just search the internet for ‘tricep exercises’, and you’ll find plenty of simple exercises you can do while watching TV!
2. Firm up that saggy skin
Saggy skin is caused, at least in part, by a loss of elastin and collagen, which is needed for skin to maintain elasticity. Skin naturally loses elasticity as we get older, but this can also be caused by other factors such as sun damage and poor nutrition. Good skin care can help skin regain its natural elasticity. There’s a variety of skin-firming lotions on the market, although regular moisturiser can be just as helpful.
3. Consider surgical options
If all else fails, there are several surgical options available. If your bingo wings are caused by excess fat, liposuction can be helpful in removing the fat; if the problem is due to loose skin, brachioplasty (also known as an arm lift) can be used to remove the excess skin. However, surgery should only be considered as a last resort; it can be very expensive, and can leave some scarring (brachioplasty, in particular, usually leaves a large scar). It should also be noted that all surgery involves an element of risk.1