How to firm the skin after pregnancy or weight loss?

Loose skin causes

What can cause loose skin? What can we do to firm the skin? In terms of the first question, there can be different causes for it. Pregnancy, weight loss,  and aging are the most common ones. The reason why our skin may lose flexibility or firmness after childbirth or weight loss is that skin is partly made of collagen and elastin. These are proteins that give our skin firmness. Collagen and elastin become damaged when our skin expands when we gain weight and, after weight loss, the skin can’t always return to its previous shape, as it might not have the necessary proteins to do so.

It’s important, however, to know that there are several other factors that can also contribute to loose skin. A few examples are smoking, which can cause a reduction in collagen production; sun exposure, as it can also reduce collagen and elastin production; or aging, as skin elasticity is also affected by age.

So, what can we do to firm the skin? There are several remedies and habits which can help by improving skin strength and elasticity. Doing exercise, staying hydrated, and eating a healthy diet are a few examples.

Here are some remedies and habits that will help you to tighten loose skin.

Exercise

There are different types of physical exercise that can help to firm the skin after weight loss or childbirth. Exercises to build muscle can be really effective to reduce the appearance of loose skin, as they help to build muscle mass and to repair skin elasticity. Strength training also helps to improve resistance, and it only requires a few short training sessions per week. Besides helping to firm the skin, it has a lot of other benefits: it can improve posture, flexibility, balance and coordination, and it is also beneficial for our bones. It is very important to start with light weights and increase difficulty in a gradual way. Cardio, yoga and Pilates are other types of exercise that can help to firm the skin.

Hydration

Hydration is very important as it does not only help to firm the skin, but it also has several other benefits for our body and health. Staying hydrated will have a positive impact on the general appearance of our skin, as it will promote elasticity, and it will also help to reduce water retention. So, in addition to making sure that you apply a moisturizer that is suitable for your skin type on a daily basis, you should also drink 8 cups of water every day. This will be beneficial for your skin in several ways: it will help it to maintain elasticity, but it will also help to reduce wrinkles, to prevent acne and to keep a good pH balance, amongst many other benefits.

On the other hand, using a good moisturizer that contains collagen will also be beneficial. Skin products that contain natural oils such as coconut or almond oil can also help your skin by locking in moisture.

Exfoliation

Besides removing the dead skin cells from the surface of the skin, exfoliating also has the following benefits: it promotes elasticity and new skin growth, it improves blood circulation, and it helps to improve cellulite. You can exfoliate your skin while you are in the shower, either with a bath brush or with an exfoliating body scrub. Remember that, when not done properly, exfoliation can dry or damage the skin, so here are a few tips to prevent skin damage:

• Choose the best exfoliation method for your skin type. If your skin is sensitive or dry, you should choose a gentle exfoliating method, such as an exfoliating washcloth, whilst if you have oily skin, you can use a body scrub.
• Always be gentle, and never exfoliate your skin if you have wounds, open cuts or burns.
• Don’t over-exfoliate, as this could damage your skin.
• Don’t exfoliate if you are using skincare products or medication that may increase skin sensitivity as a side effect.
• Always apply a moisturizer after exfoliating your skin.

Diet

There are certain nutrients which can also help to firm the skin by improving collagen production and skin elasticity. A healthy diet has several benefits, both for our mental and physical health, as well as for our skin. If you want to firm the skin after childbirth or weight loss, you should make sure that your diet contains the following:

• Healthy protein, as it contains collagen, and it will help to build muscle mass. Dairy products, eggs, fish, beans and nuts are examples of sources of healthy protein.
• Vitamins and minerals, contribute to skin flexibility. Vitamins C is really important due to its multiple benefits: not only does it help to protect our skin from the damage the sun may cause, but it also helps with collagen synthesis. Vitamin A, on the other hand, has antioxidant properties, and it also helps to keep skin hydrated. Foods with vitamin D can also help to improve the skin’s ability to stretch.
• Foods such as fish, avocado or nuts, which contain healthy fats, can also help with skin flexibility and firmness.

Eating a balanced diet that is rich in minerals and vitamins, and including some protein and healthy fats a few times per week will be beneficial for your skin, and it will also help to strengthen your bones, improve your immunity system and lower the risk of different types of disease.

Endospheres Therapy

Doing exercise, eating a balanced diet, exfoliating your skin, and staying hydrated can benefit both your skin, by improving its flexibility, and your physical and mental health.

All these healthy lifestyle habits can be combined with our Endospheres Therapy treatments in order to tone the skin and reshape and sculpt different areas of the body. Our treatments can also be used to smooth cellulite and fight the feeling of heaviness in the legs. With our non-invasive, globally recognized treatments, you will achieve effective results from the first session thanks to our innovative system and technology, which were designed by professionals in order to provide quick and amazing results.