No one really warned us that pregnancy was going to be like Puberty 2.0 but, um, on extreme mode. While we all see the cutesy “you’re growing a cantaloupe” fruit or veggie baby bump social updates, we don’t really share as much about the not-so-cute stuff that happens during and after pregnancy.
As if you didn’t have enough things to worry about, like keeping yourself and your new tiny human alive and healthy and thriving, there’s a whole host of concerns that come with our own postpartum bodies. We’re talking about stretch marks and saggy skin in all sorts of fun places.
Of course we want to normalize our bodies, how they change, and how they can adapt to grow another human with a separate consciousness inside of them (no big deal), but *feeling* good about all the changes your body’s gone through is definitely a challenge. We’ve got you because we get what you’re experiencing.
There’s an unreasonable amount of pressure on getting your pre-baby body back, as if that was the ultimate goal. The reality is that your body is different now. It literally made another human, evolved, and transformed; it’s unfair to expect it to return to its pre-baby factory settings.
We could get into a whole tangent on the impossible beauty status quo and how toxic these standards can be. But there are some effective ways to help manage and minimize the appearance of postpartum loose skin, and we’ll help you work through them.
Why Does My Skin Get Looser Postpartum?
Your skin’s stretched itself to its limits to adapt to a growing baby. Add that to the potential for rapid weight loss after birth—stress and breastfeeding can compound that—and you have the perfect recipe for loose, sagging skin.
Skin elasticity is determined by a combo of age, genetics, and how much weight was gained during pregnancy. Your stomach area, breasts, and thighs are the most commonly affected areas when it comes to skin stretching and becoming looser and saggy.
Prevention Strategies During Pregnancy
Healthy Weight Gain
Now that the whole “eating for two” thing has been debunked by health professionals, one of the most effective ways to prevent loose skin post-pregnancy is to manage your weight gain during pregnancy. Obviously, this isn’t quite as helpful if you’ve already had the baby by the time you read this.
Gaining too much weight too quickly can stretch the skin more than it can naturally handle, leading to loose skin postpartum. It's essential to follow your healthcare provider's recommendations for healthy weight gain, which usually involve a healthy, balanced diet (we know it’s so easy to give into those cravings or emotionally eat!) and regular, gentle exercise.
Hydration, Hydration, Hydration
Those Stanley and Owala and Yeti water bottles will help you do the extra work when it comes to daily hydration during pregnancy. Staying hydrated is even more important since your body’s changing rapidly as the baby grows. Water helps keep the skin plump and flexible, making it more resilient to stretching. Incorporate hydrating foods like specific fruits, vegetables, and legumes—zucchini, spinach, watermelon, cucumber, strawberries, soy milk, etc—into your diet.
Skincare Routine
A consistent skincare routine during pregnancy can also help prevent loose skin. Regularly moisturizing with creams and oils, such as cocoa butter, shea butter, or almond oil, can keep the skin supple and hydrated. People swear by Bio-Oil and similar deeply hydrating moisturizers. Gentle exfoliation can remove dead skin cells and promote the regeneration of new, healthy skin, further enhancing elasticity. We love a gentle scrub mitt in the shower.
Supportive Clothing
The last thing you probably want to wear is a bra during pregnancy, but the right fit and fabric can provide extra support to your boobs, which will grow quickly and are prone to stretching skin. Maternity belts and supportive belly bands (some are built into maternity leggings and pants!) can also help distribute the weight around your stomach more evenly, reducing the strain on your skin and minimizing future loose skin. Also, they can help relieve some of the lower back pain you may feel during pregnancy.
Postpartum Care for Tightening Loose Skin
Move It, Move It: Exercise
After the baby arrives, exercise is key to tightening loose skin. Strength training can especially help tone the muscles beneath the skin for a firmer appearance. Focus on postpartum-safe exercises such as pelvic tilts, bridges, and planks that target the core and other areas prone to loose skin.
Balanced Diet
Maintaining a balanced diet rich in vitamins and minerals is essential for skin health. Nutrients like vitamin C, vitamin E, and collagen-boosting foods can promote skin elasticity and support the body's natural healing process. Incorporate foods like citrus fruits, nuts, seeds, and leafy greens into your meals to nourish your skin from within.
Hydration + Skin Moisturization
Continuing to stay hydrated postpartum is just as important as it was during pregnancy. Along with drinking plenty of water, applying moisturizing body creams, butters, and oils daily can help in firming up loose skin and smoothing the appearance of stretch marks. Products containing ingredients like hyaluronic acid, vitamin C, and collagen can be particularly beneficial in improving skin texture and elasticity. If you’re still breastfeeding postpartum, avoid retinols and retinoids since it’s best to be on the safe side.
Massage Therapy
Regular massage can stimulate blood flow and encourage the production of collagen and elastin, both of which enhance your skin’s resilience, regrowth, and recovery. Dry brushing your body and using firming lotion during massage can also boost your skin’s ability to regain its elasticity and appear smoother.
Patience + Realistic Expectations
It can be hard to remember that your body needs time to recover after pregnancy—be gentle with yourself (easier said than done, we know). Setting realistic goals and trusting the process will help you stay motivated and positive as your skin gradually regains its firmness. While some changes may be permanent, you can make visible improvements with consistent care over time.
Non-Surgical + Medical Treatments for Loose Skin
Topical Treatments
For those looking for additional support, over-the-counter topical treatments can offer some benefits. Deeply restorative creams and serums containing retinoids, vitamin C, bakuchiol, peptides, and hyaluronic acid can help to firm, increase skin turnover, and hydrate skin.
Retinoids and retinol are best avoided while breastfeeding, since more research needs to be done to prove their safety. These products are most effective when used in combination with a healthy lifestyle and consistent skincare routine—two things that can feel next-to-impossible with a new baby or young toddler and you haven’t showered in a week or eaten food that hasn’t fallen on the floor first. We’ve all been there.
Laser Treatments
Laser therapy is a popular non-invasive option for tightening loose skin. This treatment works by stimulating collagen production in the deeper layers of the skin, leading to firmer and more toned skin over time. It’s a safe option for those seeking noticeable results without undergoing surgery. Talk to a dermatologist or your health professional to see if this treatment may be a good option for you.
Radiofrequency Therapy
Radiofrequency therapy uses energy waves to heat the deeper layers of the skin, stimulating collagen production and tightening the skin. This treatment is another effective non-surgical option for postpartum skin tightening and can be used on various areas of the body.
Consulting a Dermatologist
If you’re concerned about loose skin and want to explore advanced options, consult a dermatologist or a skin health professional. A dermatologist can assess your skin and recommend the most suitable treatments based on your skin type and its current state.
TL;DR (Too long, didn’t read—here’s the summary)
Preventing loose skin after pregnancy involves a combo of healthy choices, daily skincare, realistic expectations, and patience. By maintaining a balanced diet, staying hydrated, exercising regularly, and incorporating supportive garments and skincare products, you can significantly reduce the chance of developing loose skin as your body rapidly changes postpartum.
If topical creams and time haven’t shown the improvements you seek, the best thing to do is reach out to a dermatologist. Non-surgical treatments like laser treatments to stimulate collagen production and skin turnover can help. Just don’t forget that you literally grew another human, and to be patient with yourself. Your body is a freaking miracle.
