How To Get Rid Of Saggy Skin After Pregnancy

How Can I Tighten My Belly Skin At Home

How I Tightened Loose Skin Post-Pregnancy

Here are six ways you can tighten slack skin.

  • Creams that firm the skin. According to Dr., retinoids are a key ingredient that should be looked for in a firming cream.
  • Supplements. Even while there is no miracle cure for sagging skin, there are several vitamins that might be of use.
  • Exercise.
  • Apply some massage to the region.
  • Cosmetic treatments
  • Tighten Sagging Skin After Pregnancy With A Tummy Tuck

    If you are unhappy with the way your belly looks after pregnancy, then you are not alone. Giving birth brings great joy, but the downside is that you get a protruding belly and unwanted fat deposits. The reason your belly protrudes and you have excess fat is because of the great stress that is on your belly when youre pregnant.

    Sometimes, no amount of dieting or exercising will restore your belly to its former appearance. A tummy tuck may be the best way to tighten sagging skin caused by pregnancy.

    What is a Tummy Tuck?

    A tummy tuck also called an abdominoplasty is a surgical treatment that gets rid of excess skin and fats, tightening your abdominal muscles and creating a slimmer, firmer waistline. Most mothers use tummy tucks to remove skin laxity, belly button deformities, stretch marks and belly fats. A tummy tuck restores the firmness on your stomach by removing loose skin.

    Who Can Get a Tummy Tuck?

    Tummy tucks are suited for persons , who have good health. Women who have been through several pregnancies find this procedure helpful in reducing skin and tightening abdominal muscles.

    A tummy tuck is a good alternative for persons who were obese but after reducing their weight, still have fat deposits and loose skin around the tummy

    Who Should Not Get a Tummy Tuck?

    A Tummy Tuck Procedure

    The procedure is conducted under general anesthesia and could take one to several hours depending on the type of tummy tuck being performed.

    During Recovery

    Care Begins During Pregnancy

    The prevention of saggy belly still begins inpregnancy: the future mother must invest in a balanced diet, drink plenty ofwater and pay attention to excess weight. The increase in body volume causes the rupture of the elastic fibers ofthe skin, potentiating flaccidity.

    Doing low and medium impact physical activities duringpregnancy also helps the woman to maintain health in pregnancy and adapt betterto changes in the body.

    In the last months of pregnancy, care to avoid saggybelly should be intensified. Both in the body and in the breasts. This includesthe use of topical products, compatible with pregnancy and breastfeeding, thatoffer safety for both mother and baby. Items that have formulations capable oftoning the skin and attenuating skin relaxation.

    Also Check: What Should Eat When You Are Pregnant

    Try Skin Firming Products

    The last thing that I want you to try is skin firming products. There is some research to show that products containing anti-oxidants such as:

    • Vitamin C
    • Vitamin E
    • Vitamin B3

    can prevent the degradation of collagen , and improve skin elasticity.

    There are plenty of products on the market just make sure to get one from a reputable brand. I personally use products by Tracie Martynwhich I have found to be one of the cleanest, all-natural products.

    They arent cheap but you will notice the quality immediately.

    I recommend the Face and Body Firming Resculpting Cream to try and improve the elasticity of your skin.

    Consume Healthy Fat And Protein

    How to tighten your stomach after giving birth [ARTICLE]

    The other dietary component to maintaining healthy skin is to ensure that you are eating healthy fats and protein.

    These two macronutrients are absolutely critical for maintaining a healthy internal and external environment in your body.

    Healthy fat is important for:

    • vitamin absorption

    In fact, the most important vitamins for skin health are fat-soluble vitamins.

    This means that your body needs healthy fat in order to process them!

    Ill get to those vitamins in just a moment.

    What about protein?

    Well, protein is the most important nutrient for maintaining and developing lean muscle tissue. Which by the way, is my next tip for you.

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    Is It Possible To Tighten Loose Skin

    It depends on how much loose skin you have.

    The amount of loose skin you have will depend on how much and how fast you lose weight in the postpartum period. If you experience a massive drop in weight, you will likely have more loose skin than average.

    Unfortunately, in some circumstances, the skin may never tighten.

    With that said, there are a few things you can try to improve the appearance of loose skin.

    Ill go over those strategies below.

    Feeding To Recover The Belly

    As far as feeding is concerned, the best for those whowant to eliminate the saggy belly in the postpartum period are foods thatcontain lean proteins, in addition to those that complement fat-free. We canquote some foods as follows:

    Eggs

    Grains like Lentil and Black Beans

    Natural Skimmed Yogurt

    Spinach

    Eggplant

    It is important to stress that there must be abalanced diet and the woman must eat every 3 hours both for her health and sothat breast milk production does not change. Remember: With a good diet, yourbaby will also win.

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    First Make Sure That The Issue Youre Dealing With Is Loose Skin And Not Extra Body Fat

    While calipers are useful for this type of testing, most moms dont have access to this type of test. Instead, heres an at-home trick: Pinch the area youre concerned with. If you can grab more than a few millimeters of skin, theres more fat in there to lose. Until you lose that fat, your skin has no reason to return to its former size and tightness.

    Typically, most women need to be at or below 17-18% body fat before addressing the skin issue itself. In many cases, when you work on lowering your body fat percentage first, you will burn off that stubborn subcutaneous fat on your stomach and the problem of what appears to be loose skin will take care of itself.

    If thats not the case for you, though, and you find yourself still wondering how to get rid of loose skin after weight loss, here are a few tricks that have worked for both my clients and me.

    Will Loose Skin Go Away On Its Own

    How I Tighten Loose/Sagging Belly Skin After Pregnancy:This is Fastest Natural Method

    For some women, depending on how much they have gained or lost, loose skin may eventually go away on its own. This is usually true of women who have only gained a small amount of weight in their pregnancies and have very small bumps.

    This is not always the case, however. Many times smaller women will be the worst afflicted because their skin is stretched more. At the end of the day, genetics and personal accountability both play a part in how well your body can bounce back after pregnancy. But if you really want to maximize your chances of getting yourself in the best possible shape after pregnancy, there are definitely some things you can do.

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    Caring For Saggy Belly Skin After Pregnancy

    Eating well is super important for a new mom. | Image Source: Pexels

    While there is nothing wrong with having a saggy belly after pregnancy , there are some things that you can do about it.

    First, remember that time typically makes loose skin better. So be prepared to wait. It can take a few months for the pregnancy pouch â the fat, extra skin and relaxed pelvic guard that gives the belly a hanging look after pregnancy â to go off. But there are known ways to make saggy belly after pregnancy go away faster.

    Here they are:

    1. Breastfeeding. Medical experts recommend breastfeeding for at least six months, which can also be beneficial to your health and your babys development. Breastfeeding mothers tend to lose weight faster than mothers that do not breastfeed.

    2. Watch what you eat and drink. Water hydrates the skin and makes it more elastic. Meanwhile, protein builds collage which is an essential part of your skin. The amount of protein to eat depends on your weight and the physical activity that you do.

    3. Exercise. Strength training should only be done once your doctor gives the go-ahead. This will help build your strength, improve body composition and reduce fat.

    A cardio routine can also burn fat and tone muscles. This includes brisk walking, swimming or riding a bicycle. Start slowly and gently increase the intensity. Chose consistency over going all out during an exercise session.

    How Long Does It Take For Skin To Bounce Back

    For a lucky few with extremely good genetics, their skin will not overstretch, and they will bounce back fairly quickly. A lot depends on how active they were before and during their pregnancies and how good their diets were. For most women, it will take a concentrated effort over many months to regain their pre-pregnancy bodies.

    The rule of thumb is that it takes nine months for your body to change and grow a baby. It should take no less for you to change back.

    That said, it is important to keep things in perspective. Your body has done this amazing thing, and it has been changed forever. It may never be what it once was, and that is okay.

    This is especially true if you are one of the 21% of women who have a c-section.

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    What If You Have Had A C

    Plastic surgery can be the answer for many women who are frustrated with the appearance of their C-section pooch and want to regain their pre-pregnancy bodies. Its important to keep in mind, though, that while plastic surgery will correct the underlying issue , there will still be noticeable scarring on the skin, as is the case after any surgical procedure. This is where NewGel+ can help. NewGel+ provides you with a line of high-quality, clinically proven silicone gel scar treatment products. In fact, NewGel+ offers the widest variety of silicone gel products available, including sheets, strips, shapes, and two tube sizes of topical silicone gel. Our silicone strips, sheets, and gel are perfect for tummy tuck scars. Unlike products found in pharmacies that are only a few inches long, the variety of lengths offered by NewGel+ provide plenty of options for the coverage you need. Plus, the strips can be cut to fit whatever size scar you have. If plastic surgery is your answer to get rid of your C-section pooch once and for all, trust NewGel+ for your post-op scars to reduce, flatten, and fade scar appearance.

    How To Prevent Loose Skin After Pregnancy

    Pregnant Belly Before And After

    First and foremost, the best way to prevent loose skin after pregnancy is to promote skin elasticity during pregnancy.

    1) Massage with Coconut Oil. Ive been using coconut oil like crazy, and while its not proven- it certainly wont hurt . If nothing else, moisturizing daily will help with the dryness and itchy skin associated with pregnancy! I typically mix some vitamin e oil into the mix as well, and if you dont like the sent of the coconut oil you could also add a drop or two of lavender essential oil! During pregnancy the areas that are most prone to stretch marks are your tummy, sides, lower back, thighs and legs since these areas undergo the most strain as your baby grows. Therefore, in order to help the skin in these area stretch without forming marks the skin needs to be well moisturized. But your ordinary moisturizer might not be able to do the trick, since they will not be able to penetrate deep enough into the skin. During your pregnancy gently massage the areas most prone to stretch marks with coconut oil twice a day. Remember you dont need to apply much pressure, just rub the area repeatedly till the oil disappears.

    4) Watch Your Weight. Keep an eye on that scale during pregnancy and put your pounds on slow and steady instead of in big spurts. Keep in mind that eating for two doesnt mean literally eating twice as much so as much as possible, try to keep weight gain to a healthy level.

    Recommended Reading: How To Know If Am Pregnant Without Test

    Add Some Exercise To Your Busy Routine

    Daily exercise may not sound like the most appealing activity, especially if you feel tired and groggy after taking care of your newborn baby. However, keep in mind that exercising is the best activity to help you lose weight. With the right types of exercises, you can easily shed those few extra pounds and get rid of the belly fat.

    You may want to start with smaller exercises, gradually increasing the length of your workouts after a few weeks. Include some strength training exercises to tone and shape your belly muscles, as well as cardio training to burn excess fat. If you dont enjoy exercising, simply taking a brisk walk with your baby stroller can be a great form of physical activity.

    Loose Skin After Pregnancy

    First, make sure that the issue youre dealing with is actually loose skin and not simply extra body fat.

    While calipers are useful for this type of testing, most moms dont have access to this type of test, so instead, heres an at home trick: Pinch the area youre concerned with and if you can grab more than a few millimeters of skin, theres more fat in there to lose. Until you lose that fat, your skin has no reason to return to its former size and tightness.

    Typically most women need to be at or below 17-18% body fat before addressing the skin issue itself.

    In many cases, when you work on lowering your body fat percentage first, you will burn off that stubborn subcutaneous fat on your stomach and the problem of what appears to be loose skin will take care of itself.

    If thats not the case for you, though, and you find yourself still wondering how to get rid of loose skin after weight loss, here are a few tricks that Ive experienced first hand that work for both me and my clients

    Also Check: What Are Early Early Signs Of Pregnancy

    What Causes Loose Skin After Pregnancy

    From the time we are born, our skin, the largest organ in our body, is constantly growing, stretching, and changing.

    Our skin is amazing. If broken, it does all the work to heal itself, rarely leaving a mark behind. It regulates your temperature and renews itself every 28 days.

    The average adult body contains 8 pounds 22 square feet of skin . Collagen and elastin allow our skin to expand enough to accommodate another whole person during pregnancy.

    Like a balloon being slowly inflated, the skin on your belly stretches until you feel like it might pop. But just like a deflated balloon never fully retains its pre-stretched shape, your postpartum belly may not entirely return to the same shape it was before pregnancy.

    Theres no reason to despair, though. There are many things you can do to help the process along and tighten your loose belly skin.

    Massage Oils Creams And Lotions Might Help

    How to get Rid of loose skin after pregnancy

    Antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties in some plant-based oils, such as almond oil, may help skin repair. Exfoliating the skin with essential oils may help increase blood circulation in the skin and get rid of old skin to make way for new, healthier skin. Several skin-firming lotions and creams are also available in the market. These are formulated to increase the skins elasticity through ingredients such as collagen, vitamin C, and retinoids.

    Also Check: Will Taking Prenatal Vitamins Increase Chances Of Getting Pregnant

    Keep Up Your Routine After Pregnancy

    It’s easy to remember to treat your belly skin when you can see it changing, but it’s a bit harder when the expansion is behind you and you now have an infant to care for around the clock.

    Challenging as it may be, it’s important to continue your belly skincare regimen during the postpartum period. “After pregnancy, it is helpful to moisturize regularly simply because your body is trying to recover after nine months of making another human,” says Dr. Mariwalla.

    This can be especially helpful for anyone prone to stretch marks because they can show up even when skin is shrinking very quickly. Dr. Mariwalla suggests sticking to your belly treatment until the brown stripe disappears and when the skin starts to regain some elasticity. If you are concerned about any changes your skin is experiencing during this time, reach out to your dermatologist.

    Skin Firming Creams To Tighten Skin

    When it comes to skin firming products there are tons of options out there. But the key ingredients you need to look for are retinoid, peptides, collagen, and vitamin C. Retinol aka vitamin A is widely used for its benefits in recovering the damaged skin and improving its firmness. Retinoids also improve skin texture. Retinoids inhibit the enzymes that break down the collagen. Whereas, peptides are amino acids that build blocks of protein. Peptides improve elasticity and reduce tightness thats caused by stretching.

    Read Also: How Should I Feel At 10 Weeks Pregnant

    Eat Healthy To Improve Skin Elasticity

    Your skin gets the nutrients it needs to maintain its elasticity from the foods you eat.

    Unfortunately for your skin, its one of the last organs to receive vitamins and minerals. If you dont get enough nutrients, your skin will become deprived of what it needs to stay soft and resilient.

    To promote elasticity and tighten loose skin after pregnancy, eat a healthy diet including plenty of fruits, vegetables, fats, and lean protein. The vitamins and minerals in a well-balanced diet will contribute to the flexibility and health of your skin. This flexibility can help your skin return to normal after your baby is born.

    Fruits and vegetables like broccoli, strawberries, and spinach provide vitamins C and A along with other healthy nutrients and minerals.

    Vitamin C is essential for collagen production which gives your skin its firmness. Vitamin A acts as a humectant, drawing water to the surface where the moisture helps your skin remain supple.

    Healthy fats like sunflower seeds, almonds, and hazelnuts contribute vitamin E and other antioxidants that work to eradicate toxins and free radicals. Lean protein like fish, chicken, and turkey supplies your body with vitamin D, which contributes to your skins ability to stretch.

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