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8 Best Ways to Tighten Loose Skin After Pregnancy

by SRC Health on Jul 16, 2024

Pregnancy can bring many changes to the body, especially your skin. As your little one grows, your body makes space for them, expanding until they are fully grown and delivered. Loose skin after pregnancy is perfectly normal especially after carrying your growing baby in the last few months. While it is nothing to be ashamed of, it can leave some mums feeling frustrated.

Skin is made of collagen and elastin. As the body expands and gains weight, skin can stretch and take some time to return to its original shape.

Fortunately, saggy tummy skin is something you can improve by caring for your body. Here, we share the many ways you can tighten saggy tummy skin after pregnancy at home or with the help of a medical professional. Understanding what your skin needs and exploring these effective ways can help you healthily approach skincare and embrace your postpartum body with confidence. 

1. Wear Postpartum Recovery Garments (Recovery Shorts/Leggings)

Postpartum Recovery Garments are specially designed to provide you with support and stability to help you move more freely after delivery. Recommended by health care professionals, recovery garments improve mobility and pelvic muscle function postpartum by delivering targeted compression. This is ideal for treating multiple conditions like c-section wounds, perineal wounds, abdominal muscle separation, lower back pain especially and when you are caring for loose skin after pregnancy. One of the most commonly mentioned phrases from postpartum mothers who wear SRC Recovery shorts or leggings, is “...I feel like I have been put back together”, especially in the first few weeks postpartum when loose skin is most prevalent inhibiting mobility.

2. Eat Healthier Food To Improve Skin Elasticity

A balanced diet helps support skin elasticity which can help loose skin recover after pregnancy. Eating food rich in healthy proteins gives your body the nutrients it needs to build muscle as well as collagen to keep your skin from sagging. These nutrients support skin elasticity, aiding in the reduction of loose skin. From bone broth to salmon and dark leafy greens, eating healthy promotes faster healing and can even help with amino acids that are essential for breastfeeding.[1]

3. Regular Core Strength Training

Exercise benefits the body in many ways, especially losing saggy belly skin after pregnancy. By building lean muscle, you enable your body to tighten loose skin by increasing muscle mass, which fills out sagging areas. This improves skin elasticity and tone, providing a more firm and toned appearance. Pilates, yoga, and barre are low-intensity core exercises that tone muscles in the stomach,[2] which may help improve the appearance of loose skin. However, if you prefer moderate to high-intensity exercises, cardio activities like brisk walking, running, cycling, or aerobics help tone muscle and increase oxygen levels that improve skin elasticity too.[3]

Note that exercise is not recommended for at least the first 10-12 weeks postpartum and after you have been cleared by your healthcare practitioner. As always it’s recommended that you consult a health professional before beginning any new exercise program. 

4. Keep Hydrated – Drink A Lots of Water

One of the most convenient ways to enhance skin elasticity is by drinking water. Staying hydrated does wonders in losing saggy tummy skin after pregnancy. This is because water flushes out toxins and supports collagen production, which aids skin recovery and tightening. Drinking lots of water is one of the easiest ways in learning how to tighten skin after pregnancy without doing surgery. It naturally improves skin tone, texture, and promotes overall health.

5. Apply Natural Oils to your Tummy

Natural oils have been used for centuries because of their moisturising and antibacterial properties. Using natural oils boost collagen which helps loose skin stay taut after pregnancy. They have potent antioxidants that clear free radicals and repair damaged skin cells that lead to sagging skin. Here are examples of natural oils that can help with skin moisturisation and repair:

  • Argan oil: Rich in vitamin E and fatty acids.
  • Rosehip oil: Provides vitamins A and C, promoting collagen production.
  • Jojoba oil: Balances skin's natural oils and aids in hydration.
  • Sweet almond oil: Nourishes and softens skin, supporting elasticity.

6. Use Skin Firming Creams & Lotions

Like natural oils, there are skin care products that are purposely formulated to care for loose skin after pregnancy. These skin products contain different ingredients that help promote collagen and elastin production for improved firmness and elasticity.

Here are products to look out for when searching for firming creams & lotions:

  • Peptide serums, signals skin cells to produce collagen
  • Retinol creams, boosts cell turnover and collagen production
  • Hyaluronic acid moisturisers, hydrates and plumps skin, enhancing elasticity

7. Take Collagen Supplement

Collagen is an essential nutrient for skin elasticity, joint health, and overall tissue strength. Taking collagen supplements helps make the body more resistant to skin damage and replenishes lost collagen, promoting smoother skin, reducing wrinkles and stretch marks, and improving joint flexibility. Collagen supplements help rejuvenate loose skin after pregnancy by helping skin cells regenerate more quickly, stimulating the growth of muscle fibres, and even aiding with wound healing. 

8. Try Skin Tightening Treatment (Surgical/Non-Surgical)

Explore effective methods to tighten loose skin postpartum in our comprehensive section. From surgical options like abdominoplasty to non-surgical treatments such as radiofrequency therapy, discover strategies tailored to restore your confidence and skin elasticity after childbirth.

A. Surgical Treatments

1. Abdominoplasty

Also known as a ‘tummy tuck’, this popular surgical procedure tightens saggy belly skin after pregnancy. A horizontal incision will be made on the lower abdominal area, where excess fat and loose skin will be removed.

2. Liposuction

In comparison to a tummy tuck, a liposuction is a surgical procedure that removes fat from specific areas of the body. This can be combined with a tummy tuck to create a smoother and more toned stomach using small incisions in targeted areas where a thin tube will be inserted to remove excess body fat.

B. Non-Surgical Treatments

1. Ultrasound Therapy

This non-surgical option tightens loose skin after pregnancy. This involves the use of ultrasound waves to penetrate the skin and stimulate collagen production. It is typically painless and has no downtime. However, it may require multiple sessions to achieve the desired results.

2. Radiofrequency Skin Tightening

Radiofrequency (RF) skin tightening uses radio waves to heat up the skin, stimulating collagen production and tightens saggy tummy skin. RF skin tightening is typically painless and quick, taking between 20-30 minutes per session.

3. Chemical Peels

This treatment involves applying a chemical solution to the skin in order for the top layer of skin to peel off. This stimulates collagen production and helps to tighten the skin. Unlike other non-surgical treatments, there may be a slight burning sensation that lasts about five to ten minutes. Cool compresses may ease the stinging, and you may need pain medication during or after the procedure.

It is important to consider your health and the possible downtime or side effects that may occur after certain skin procedures. Always seek consultation from your doctor before undergoing any skin tightening treatments.

How Long Does It Take For Skin To Tighten After Pregnancy?

Every mum’s postpartum journey is different. Depending on your age and pregnancy, tightening your skin can take several weeks or even months to heal and regain its elasticity. By keeping yourself healthy, you can help speed up the process with a balanced diet, exercise, staying hydrated, and other skin solutions to help.

FAQ

How to massage the stomach to tighten skin?

To tighten your belly skin, start your massage on the right side of your stomach down by the bone of your pelvis. Gently rub the skin in a circular motion up to the right side until you reach your rib bones. Move your hand straight across to the left side, and then work your way down to the left hip bone and back up to the belly button for 2-3 minutes. Use natural oils to help moisturise your skin and prevent dryness or friction.

What is the best exercise to tighten loose skin after pregnancy?

To help with saggy belly skin after pregnancy, there are low-intensity core strength exercises such as pilates, yoga, and barre, which can help tighten skin and tone muscles in the stomach. If you prefer moderate to high-intensity workouts, you can also do cardio exercise such as brisk walking, running, cycling, or aerobics. A personal trainer can help you put together an effective exercise routine.

How to avoid a wrinkled stomach after pregnancy?

A healthy and balanced diet paired with moderate exercise can help minimise a wrinkled stomach or saggy belly skin during and after pregnancy. Using skin products such as natural oils and taking collagen supplements can also help improve the appearance of wrinkles and loose skin. However, it is also important to consider if you may have sensitive skin or any restrictions that could cause allergic reactions or affect your overall health. Consult with a healthcare professional before starting any supplement regimen.

Does postpartum saggy belly go away?

After some time, your postpartum belly can lessen on its own. By taking care of your body during and after pregnancy, you can improve your loose skin at home. Remember to eat healthy, stay hydrated, and wear postpartum recovery garments that can offer you support and relief while recovering. When your doctor says it’s okay to exercise, you can try adding exercises like walking, pilates or yoga to tone your body and improve your skin.

References:

  1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10255346/

  2. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/loose-skin-after-pregnancy

  3. https://www.foreo.com/mysa/the-connection-between-exercise-and-skincare

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