Tips To Tighten Belly Skin After Pregnancy Without Surgery
After delivery of your baby, hormonal changes make your uterus contract and shrink back to its pre-pregnancy state. It takes time to get rid of the sagging skin on your belly. But with effort and perseverance, getting back to the original shape is not impossible. In this MomJunction post, we share tips that might help tighten belly skin after pregnancy.
Prevention Of Skin Pigmentation During Pregnancy
If you are wondering how to avoid pigmentation during pregnancy, theres hardly anything that can be done to prevent it blame it on the same thing that causes morning sickness, and fatigue. However, if you have been asking how can I reduce pigmentation during pregnancy? here are a few tips:
- Pigmentation in pregnancy can be slightly minimized by using sunscreen, even when you are not out in the sun.
- Avoiding the sun goes a big way to get your complexion back.
- If you are out in the sun, use sunscreen with SPF 30, cover yourself properly with a dupatta, saree pallu, or a scarf to avoid direct sun rays falling on the skin.
- Do not use new products on your skin during this time stick to the ones that you are confident about.
- If you are planning to take any medication, make sure you run it through your doctor first. Pregnancy is a delicate situation so do not self-medicate at all.
- You could also use a light-tinted bronzer or a concealer to hide the patches if they seem to make you uncomfortable.
- Try and stay indoors after you have delivered- do not venture out in the sun. Walking out, sitting in the sun, or even a ride in the car can make your skin exposed to harmful UV rays that can cause and even worsen skin pigmentation.
- Breastfeed the longer the better.
Why Skin Texture Changes After Having A Child
It might become difficult to accept so many changes in the skin right after the birth of a baby, especially if you had a glowing skin during pregnancy. But post-pregnancy brings in stress, fatigue and overall hormonal imbalance that causes the skin texture to change. Acne, stretch marks, pigmentation and skin discolouration after delivery are some of the most common changes in the skin that have been observed post-pregnancy. All this can become a thing of the past if you take a little care and follow a proper diet and skincare routine after childbirth.
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How To Darken Nipples Naturally
The best method for darkening the pale areolas, is known as areola repigmentation or as areola tattooing. This is a very safe and practical method to darken the nipples and areolas. Sounds painful though right? Well it is not painful as you will be given Lidocaine to be able to completely numb the area that will be tattooed. Many plastic surgeons are able to offer areola tattooing, specifically those plastic surgeons that specialize in breast reconstruction
Areola Color and Size
The first step applied in darkening of the pale areolas is to choose on the color that you will want your areolas to be and if you want also to have them to be made larger. Colors are able to be mixed to any shade that you would like from the very light pink to a very deep dark brown.
Pale Areola Tattooing Procedure
The actual procedure is just a normal office visit that may take less than one hour from start to finish. The tattooing gadget will be placed on top of the breast. Since the area will be made 100% numb you will not be in a position to be able to really feel anything but only some slight pressure pushing down. When the darkening of the nipple procedure starts you may feel some minor vibrations around the nipple area. The entire procedure may take less than 30 minutes.
The Final Results
Cost of Darkening Pale Areolas
Who Is At Risk Of Melasma
Fairer-skinned people are less likely to be affected by melasma than those with darker brown skin or those who tan well. Women are more likely to get melasma than men: about 10% of those who get melasma are men, 90% women. Pregnant women get melasma more often than anyone else. Youre also at risk if you take oral contraceptives and hormones.
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How To Lighten Skin With Milk
Did you know Cleopatra used to bathe in milk for its skin benefits? The question is, is can you use milk skin lightening? Many bloggers swear by its lightening properties. The reason is the lactic acid in milk works to reduce skin pigmentation. The great news is you can use any cows or goats milk for lightening. This can be achieved by applying the milk to the areas you want to affect. Here are some steps to achieving lighter skin with milk:
If you apply the milk daily, lightening should take approximately three weeks. Once you have achieved the lightening you desire, you should still apply milk to your skin at least twice per week. Doing this will help you maintain your new found lightened skin.
Milk has other benefits for your skin. It is packed with vitamin B, calcium and other powerful antioxidants. This means it will keep your skin moisturized while helping to treat free radical damage.
Ice Stretch Marks To Reduce Inflammation
As you know by now, stretch marks are tiny scars that form as your skin stretches. As they heal, these tiny scars can cause inflammation and swelling, which can make stretch marks look even worse. Rubbing ice on stretch-marked skin can help relieve and reduce this swelling and inflammation.
A reusable ice pack that is stored in the freezer makes it quick and easy to apply cold whenever the opportunity presents itself. If you dont have an ice pack, try putting some ice cubes in a Ziploc bag.
Wrap the cold pack in a dish towel or pillow case so that the ice doesnt come directly in contact with your skin. Start with your belly. Hold it on your skin for up to ten minutes, then move to your thigh and hold the cold pack on your skin for another ten minutes. Repeat this process for all areas of your body that have stretch marks.
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What Is Melasma In Pregnancy
Melasma is a skin disorder where the melanocytes in your skin produce extra pigment for some reason. In pregnancy, its often referred to as chloasma, or the mask of pregnancy.
Chloasma is a cosmetic concern. It doesnt affect your baby in any way or indicate any other pregnancy complications.
People with more pigment in their skin for example, those of African, North African, Middle Eastern, Latin or Hispanic, Asian, Indian, or Mediterranean descent are more likely to develop chloasma, as they naturally have more active melanin production.
Overall, between
How Long Does It Take To Tighten Belly Skin
The speed and degree of transition will depend on various factors. For some, it might just take a few months while for others, it may take longer. A few contributing factors are:
- The size of the belly before conception
- The weight gain during pregnancy
- Activity levels during pregnancy
- Bone structure
- Genes
Do not worry if you are unable to reduce the belly skin even after being active, eating healthy and nutritious food because maintaining a healthy lifestyle and being healthy and happy are more important than tightening ones belly skin. What do you think? Let us know in the comment section below.
References:
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What Is Skin Pigmentation
Pigmentation is the darkening of the natural color of our skin. There are some conditions like pregnancy or excessive sun exposure, which causes changes in skin color. When skin becomes dark in color, it is known as hyperpigmentation and if it becomes lighter than its natural color it is called hypopigmentation.
When you are expecting, hormones are largely at play, and they can make dark patches called chloasma appear on the face. It usually appears in the area below the eyes and the nose.
Women also develop linea nigra, which is actually a dark, vertical line, crossing at the navel in the middle of the stomach. The linea nigra is caused by the stretching of the abdominal muscles which develop pigmentation in pregnancy.
Pigmentation during pregnancy also affects the nipples and moles around the genitalia and perineum, but this will subside with the passage of time after the birth of the baby.
Top 15 Home Remedies For Skin Pigmentation During Pregnancy
You may not love this skin change, especially when you want to glow during your pregnancy. Because you are pregnant, any chemical treatment is out of the question. However, some women do take a series of anti-pigmentation facials and beauty treatments.
So, if you do not have time and are not willing to spend much on the treatment and want to know how to reduce melanin during pregnancy, you can always try some effective home remedies given below for pigmentation during pregnancy:
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Are There Complications/side Effects Of The Medications
Dermatitis is a side effect of hydroquinone and tretinoin. Azelaic cream, lotion, or gel can sting. Always be on the lookout for any allergic reactions. Report all side effects to your healthcare provider. It might be appropriate for you to use a different medication to avoid the side effects.
Chemical peels and lasers may cause the surface layers of skin to die, cause post-procedure hyperpigmentation, and cause hypertrophic scars. They can be safely used with topical medications, but only by specialists who have experience treating melasma.
Natural Home Remedies To Lighten The Dark Pubic Area You Got During Pregnancy
There are things around the house to help your melasma. All these natural ingredients can be applied daily, even twice a day to whiten the dark pubic area you got during pregnancy. Leave the mixtures on affected areas for about 20 to 30 minutes before washing it off with mild, non-acidic soap and water.
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When Does Skin Discoloration Start During Pregnancy
Skin discoloration is extremely common at all stages of pregnancy, affecting about 90 percent of expectant women. So dont think youre the only one dealing with it, and know that it can happen during any of the three trimesters. It doesnt usually appear overnight, but comes on gradually as your pregnancy progresses.
Always check in with your practitioner about any skin changes you notice just to be safe. But generally skin discoloration, particularly redness on the hands and soles of your feet, is a normal part of pregnancy. You might also notice the darkening of your areolas and the skin under your arms and between your thighs, as well as the linea nigra. Your freckles and moles might look darker, and you might have melasma, “the mask of pregnancy.”
Women with darker skin may notice these changes during pregnancy more than lighter-skinned women, but for all moms, the marks should fade after delivery.
How Do I Minimize My Dark Spots
Like with all skincare, it takes great ingredients and consistent application to make a visible change. Depending on your beauty philosophy or whether you’re breastfeeding, how you minimize skin discoloration or dark skin after pregnancy is up to you.
- Be consistent. Most skin lighteners need to be applied once or twice a day for maximum effectiveness.
- Start early. Topical skin brighteners usually take a few months to work, so if you’re experiencing melasma early on, use a mask of pregnancy treatment that will be safe for you & baby while you’re expecting.
- For breastfeeding or green beauty lovers, look for toxin-free brighteners like vitamin C or licorice extract.
- If you’re not breastfeeding and looking for the strongest topical lighteners, opt for formulas with hydroquinone or niacinamide
- Stay out of the sun, and use SPF 30+…religiously. Hyperpigmentation is exasperated with sun exposure, so slather on the SPF and find a good hat that you can work into your everyday wardrobe.
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Is There A Cure For Melasma
Melasma is hard to treat. To determine a treatment plan, your healthcare provider will have to first figure out whats possibly causing the melasma. Is it sunlight? Your birth control? Genetics? Your soap? Too much screen time?
Depending on the person, melasma may go away on its own, it may be permanent, or it may respond to treatment within a few months. Most cases of melasma will fade away with time and especially with good protection from sunlight and other sources of light.
Unfortunately, there is no definitive treatment that will automatically make melasma disappear. At this time there is no way to remove dermal pigment.
If you have melasma, be sure to avoid:
- Hormone treatments, specifically ones that involve estrogen.
- Birth control, specifically oral contraceptive pills that contain estrogen and progesterone.
- LED light from your television, laptop, cell phone and tablet.
- Makeup you find irritating to your skin.
- Medications that may cause or worsen melasma.
- Scented soaps.
- Waxing, which can aggravate the melasma.
When Does Skin Darkening/ Discoloration Happen During Pregnancy
More than 90% of pregnant women experience some sort of skin changes . The increasing estrogen and progesterone levels may contribute to increased melanin production . It might start as early as the first trimester.
- Starting from the first trimester, you may notice the darkening of the areola, and genital regions.
- Linea nigra may become noticeable in the second trimester.
All of these usually resolve in a few months after delivery . However, some of these may remain forever although in a lighter tone.
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Are You A First
Being a new mother requires you to always be on your toes and this might leave you sleep-deprived. It can be difficult to even have a few minutes all by yourself. As a result, all of it takes a toll not only on your body but also on the glowing skin you once had. We can attribute all of this to many reasons like change of lifestyle and physical body changes, especially the hormonal changes.
There’s no doubt that going through this phase is a true roller-coaster of hormones and the built-up stress of becoming a new parent could easily leave your skin looking dull, dry, torn-out and pigmented.
While some lucky pregnant ladies have what we call the ‘glow of pregnancy’ others have the worst acne breakouts of their lives. Irrespective of that, the arrival of your baby may leave you struggling with pregnancy related skin issues.
And if you haven’t yet figured out a beauty regime, we have little beauty treats and simple but pampering, rituals to make you feel new and refreshed again.
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Skin And Hair Changes
Hormonal changes taking place in pregnancy will make your nipples and the area around them go darker. Your skin colour may also darken a little, either in patches or all over. Birthmarks, moles and freckles may also darken. Some women develop a dark line down the middle of their stomach, called ‘linea nigra’. These changes will gradually fade after the baby is born, although your nipples may remain a little darker.
If you sunbathe while you are pregnant, you may burn more easily. Protect your skin with a good high-factor sunscreen and don’t stay in the sun for a long time.
Hair growth can also increase in pregnancy, and your hair may be greasier. After the baby is born, it may seem as if you are losing a lot of hair but you are simply losing the extra hair.
Is Skin Darkening During Pregnancy Normal
Although it may not be one of the most talked-about symptoms of pregnancy, skin darkening, known as melasma or chloasma, is entirely normal. It is sometimes referred to as the mask of pregnancy because it often shows up on the face, especially the forehead, nose, and cheekbones .
But while the face is the most common area for discoloration to occur, it can happen anywhere on the body. Skin darkening is also common in areas often exposed to the sun, like your arms and legs, as well as your underarms where friction can easily occur .
Another common pregnancy symptom, the linea nigra, is thought to occur because of the same process.
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