During pregnancy, the skin stretches to give room for your growing baby. The skin becomes loose when collagen fibers rupture, making it almost impossible for the skin to go back to its normal size after delivery. The result is stretched skin. So this has brought about the question: how to get rid of stretched skin after pregnancy.
Table of Contents
How to Get Rid of Stretched Skin after Pregnancy – Well-rounded Fitness Routine
Two routines make up a well-rounded fitness program after pregnancy and they are:
- Cardio exercises
- Weight training
Cardio Exercises
How do cardio exercises help get rid of stretched skin after pregnancy?
Cardio exercises help get rid of stretched skin after pregnancy by burning calories and making the skin perspire.
When the body burns calories through exercising, the skin tightens over the space created by shed fat. That way, there is no loose skin anywhere on the body.
Engage in cardio exercises like running, walking, cycling, rowing, and aerobics after pregnancy. They will help make your skin taut over your bones again.
Weight Training
Does weight training help reduce stretched skin after pregnancy?
Weight training helps reduce stretched skin after pregnancy. It builds muscles and when this happens, the muscles expand, causing the loose skin to tighten over them.
Weight training also reduces fat. You burn it, using it as part of the energy you expend while training. The built-up fat from pregnancy vanishes, causing the skin to grow taut.
Contrary to popular opinion, weight training does not add excess weight to your body. Instead, it shapes your muscles by burning calories.
How to Get Rid of Stretched Skin after Pregnancy – How Effective Are Skincare Products?
Some skincare products are effective in getting rid of stretched skin after pregnancy. They work in different ways but all head towards the same goal. A good example is anti-hemorrhoid cream. It absorbs excess fluid in the body in order to give the body a chance to return to normal.
Another example is moisturizer. Using a good moisturizer over time will cause an increase in collagen production. This, in turn, will increase the elasticity and firmness of the skin.
Additionally, skin-firming lotions can help get rid of stretched skin. They are formulated to improve the collagen content of your skin.
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How to Get Rid of Stretched Skin after Pregnancy – Consume Healthy Diets
The importance of eating healthy meals before, during and after pregnancy cannot be overemphasized.
To get rid of stretched skin, your diet should revolve around:
- Protein
- Collagen
- Water
Protein
Protein helps to develop the muscle which tightens stretched skin by reducing fat. It also helps to increase the rate of metabolism. Some protein-rich foods include egg, meat, fish, peanut butter, milk and artichoke.
Collagen
The deficiency of collagen in the body contributes to sagging of the skin after pregnancy. Collagen improves the elasticity of the skin and keeps it fresh at all times. Most protein diets contain collagen. But other foods rich in collagen include tomatoes, pepper, cheese, garlic and oysters.
Water
Drinking water is a good way to hydrate the skin. Well-hydrated skin is more elastic, burns fat faster and makes you look younger than what any skincare product can offer.
To get rid of stretched skin after pregnancy, consume a gallon of water per day.
Check out these interesting skincare product reviews/articles:
Bioré Charcoal Acne Scrub – Honest Review
Humane Acne Treatment Face and Body Wash – Honest Review
Neutrogena Naturals Purifying Daily Facial Cleanser – Detailed Review
Clearasil Gentle Prevention Daily Clean Wash – Detailed Review
How to Prevent Loose Skin after Gastric Bypass – In-depth Answer
How to Get Smooth Armpit Skin – Detailed Answer
How to Get Rid of Stretched Skin after Pregnancy – Cosmetic Procedures as Your Last Resort
When each of the aforementioned methods is exhausted and you still do not have the desired results, going for a cosmetic procedure might be your final option.
However, these procedures are complex and expensive. This is true whether it is a tummy tuck, laser skin tightening, radiofrequency treatment or cool-sculpting.
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Video: Laser Skin Tightening Procedure after Pregnancy
This video shows how the laser skin tightening procedure is carried out on a woman after delivery. Check it out…
How to Get Rid of Stretched Skin after Pregnancy – Our Verdict
While most women are happy about giving birth, not many are comfortable with the stretched skin that comes with it. Natural methods, using skincare products and surgery all work. So the choice is yours to make.
How to Get Rid of Stretched Skin after Pregnancy – Frequently Asked Questions
Can Stretch Marks Go Away after Pregnancy?
Stretch marks can go away after pregnancy but the chances are pretty low. Stretch marks are one of the hardest things to rid the body of once they appear. It is always better to keep them from appearing while you are still pregnant by applying shea butter on your tummy. You can also keep from scratching you tummy when it itches.
However, even if the stretch marks don’t go, they will fade with time. They will go from being a vivid purple or pink to becoming almost the same color as your skin. Then, they will be barely noticeable.
What Removes Stretch Marks after Pregnancy?
The following are possible solutions to stretch marks after pregnancy:
- Creams and oils rich in vitamins
- Water
- Exfoliators
- Stretch mark massage lotions
Vitamins such as vitamins E and A are full of antioxidants that combat free radicals. They also reduce discoloration of the skin and heal damages to the skin cells. Since stretch marks are tiny tears in the skin, these will cause them to be repaired.
Drinking the right amount of water for an adult daily will give your cells a chance to work properly. This way, the skin will be able to be repaired quicker and better.
Exfoliating will slough off dead skin cells, giving the skin a chance to rebuild. This will reduce the appearance of stretch marks.
Stretch mark massage lotions keep stretch marks at bay even before pregnancy.
How Long Does It Take for Skin to Tighten after Pregnancy?
There is no time stamp on how long it takes the skin to tighten after pregnancy. Every woman’s body is different, one from the other. So the way you will respond to skin tightening measures will differ from how the next woman will respond.
But it is important you take some steps to ensure you are doing something to tighten your skin. Exercising, drinking adequate amounts of water, eating more of proteins, vegetables, whole grains and fruits are some of the ways to tighten your skin faster after pregnancy than not doing anything.
How Long Should I Tie My Stomach after Delivery?
If you had a normal delivery and you start tying your stomach the same day, it will be about two months before you begin to see any results. This means you will have to tie it for months before your stomach returns to normal.
However, if you delivered through a Caesarean section, you will have to wait a few weeks before you can even begin to tie your stomach. It will take 5-8 weeks, at least, before the wound heals. And after that, you will need to get clearance from your doctor before you start.
In other words, there is no stipulated length of time to do this.
Does Postpartum Belt Reduce Tummy?
Postpartum belt reduces tummy. It tucks in the fat accumulated during pregnancy and hides stomach bulge. In the long run, the fat shrinks and disappears. Many women have positive results. But the ones with results did not use the belt alone; they combined it with other measures like exercising and eating healthily.
You must be aware, though, of the risks that come with using this belt. There are chances of complications like internal bleeding and hernia developing. This is especially true if you went through a C-section.
When Can I Start Exercising after Delivery?
If you had a smooth vaginal delivery, it is safe to start exercising about 6 weeks after. But if you were very active throughout your pregnancy and had no complications during delivery, you can tentatively start exercising a week after.
However, if you went through a C-section, 8 weeks is the minimum number of weeks to wait before you start exercising. And you can start only after you have been cleared by your doctor. Doing anything different will bring up complications.
In all, you will have to begin with low-intensity workouts and build up from there. This is to give your body a chance to get used to the routines and not revolt.
