Motherhood is the name of a miracle, the miracle of bringing into the world a miniature version of yourself. Holding your little bundle of joy tightly in your arms can spark deep, tender love and unparalleled joy. From such emotional outbursts to many body transformations, postpartum is a time of many revelations for a new mom like you.
For starters, you’ve experienced rapid weight fluctuations over the past nine months. And, you’re still dealing with a hormonal roller coaster with the usual drop in estrogen (the glam hormone) postpartum. This means you may experience problems like dark circles, dull skin, hair loss and a loose belly. But, don’t worry. We’ve got you covered with our time-tested tips for rejuvenating skin and restoring elasticity.
Natural ways to restore elasticity after pregnancy
1) Drink more water
The most important and easiest thing you can do is to keep yourself hydrated. Water keeps your skin tissue plump and improves skin tone. Drinking enough water flushes toxins from your body, promotes a healthier gut, and helps all body systems function optimally.
This promotes postpartum healing and clearer skin. The good news is that drinking enough water helps you in the long run by delaying the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles on your face. Your skin’s aging process slows down and you feel great for your age.
2) Eat healthy
Whether you’re breastfeeding or not, a balanced diet that includes all the food groups and essential micronutrients is essential, a healthy diet will keep your skin hydrated, improve fine lines and dark circles, and prevent sun damage.
To improve skin texture after pregnancy, you need foods rich in antioxidants, beta carotenes, phytoestrogens and omega-3 fatty acids. Include fresh fruits, vegetables, nuts and seafood to restore skin elasticity.
3) Lose weight slowly
Pay attention to fad diets. Now is not the time to cut out essential nutrients. Many of these diets will cause you to lose both fat and muscle and tend to dehydrate your body. Loss of muscle can worsen the problem of sagging skin in the abdomen and thighs.
Likewise, low skin tissue water content will lead to a dull appearance, worsening hair loss and dark circles around the eyes. Therefore, it is important to have a consistent and gentle fitness routine.
Remember, your body has been through a lot and needs sweet time to recover and heal.
4) Get into a workout routine
A daily cardio routine is a good place to start. It increases blood flow to your skin and helps nourish the subcutaneous tissue, boosting collagen production. The enhanced circulation also removes toxins from your body, leading to glowing and firm skin.
Remember to include Kegels in your exercises as they improve pelvic floor stability by strengthening the pelvic floor muscles. In addition, core strength exercises such as Pilates will help build muscle mass and address areas of particular concern, such as a sagging tummy and loose skin folds on the thighs and arms.
5) Exfoliate your skin
Exfoliating is a great way to rejuvenate your skin. It works by removing dead cells from the surface of the skin. A gentle body scrub does wonders for your skin. It unclogs the pores and smooths the surface of the skin. The deeper skin cells are stimulated and collagen production is enhanced. Your skin becomes more elastic and shiny. An organic sugar scrub applied to your postpartum belly is great for removing stretch marks.
6) Keep your skin hydrated
Use a moisturizer twice a day to keep your skin hydrated. Dry skin is itchy, scaly and rough. Moisturizers soothe and protect it. All skin types benefit from moisturizers. However, for people with dry skin, even more hydration is required, especially in winter.
Keeping your skin hydrated with the best products has additional benefits, such as anti-aging and sun protection. Look for products with hyaluronic acid and retinoids in particular, as they are effective skin-tightening agents. Highlight ReHab here
7) Wear sunscreen
You are prone to growth hyperpigmentation during pregnancy due to hormones. Use sunscreen to prevent skin pigmentation and other sun damage such as sunburn and fine lines. Excessive exposure to the sun’s UV rays can also cause certain types of skin cancer. Regular use of sunscreen has the long-term benefit of promoting healthier, younger-looking skin.
Aesthetic procedures to restore skin elasticity
Many surgical and non-surgical techniques have been developed to treat loose skin in various areas of the body after childbirth. Some of the popular and effective methods are listed below.
8) Non-surgical interventions
- Cryolipolysis or cool sculpting to reduce abdominal swelling.
- HIFU (High Intensity Focused Ultrasound) skin tightening to reduce double chin.
- Radiofrequency skin tightening for cellulite reduction and thigh tightening after pregnancy.
9) Surgical operations
- Mastopexy or breast lift to tighten the breasts after pregnancy.
- Abdominoplasty or abdominoplasty to tighten the stomach after pregnancy.
- Perineoplasty for tightening loose perineal skin and loose vaginal opening after childbirth.
How long does it take for skin to tighten after pregnancy?
The journey is highly personalized. In general, you will be able to see some changes in your body at 6 weeks postpartum. Your belly dog will decrease. However, regaining skin elasticity may require several months and continuous efforts. Some scars you will carry with you for life, so you need to maintain a positive state of mind and keep realistic expectations.
Bringing it all together
Postpartum skin care is vital to your overall well-being, as healthier skin does wonders for your body image and self-confidence. Follow the above mentioned tips to achieve tighter skin by restoring its elasticity. Caring for a newborn should not limit you from post-pregnancy self-care and taking care of your needs. A happy and contented mother raises happy children and adds more positivity to the family dynamic.
About the author:
Dr Jehan Ara is a highly qualified consultant obstetrician and gynecologist with a passion for health writing and education. He has more than 10 years of practical experience in patient care. Today she works as an Assistant Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at a School of Medicine and a clinical supervisor for postgraduate obstetrics and gynecology residents at the affiliated teaching hospital. In addition to her clinical work, Dr. Jehan is also a passionate writer and educator. She regularly writes articles and blog posts on women’s health. She is committed to helping women understand their bodies and make informed decisions about their health.
