Female bodies change exponentially during pregnancy, with organs literally rearranging themselves to make way for new life. It’s an astonishing process and, when you’re glowing with your prominent baby bump, even strangers in the street will likely tell you how wonderful you look.
Unfortunately, most new moms don’t experience the same in the postpartum period. In fact, without the flush of pregnancy hormones and preservations during this stage, all of those changes canal start to impact the beauty journey, rather than helping to achieve that notorious ‘glow’.
These postpartum issues are often unexpected and can leave new moms feeling less than beautiful. In truth though, there are plenty of ways to make a postpartum body shine. Simply consider the following unexpected bodily changes, and what you can do about them.
1 – Lingering Baby Weight
It can take between 6-8 weeks for the uterus to shrink back to its pre-baby size, and a lot of women will retain at least some of their baby weight. This can be an issue for body-conscious women, and practicing self-love during this period is one of the best ways to continue prioritizing your beauty focus. Equally, beginning gentle exercise as soon as you feel able, including toning exercises like press ups, can help to address an additional few post-pregnancy pounds.
Things are slightly more complex for women dealing with weight gain due to excess skin, but this is still by no means an impossible issue. A cosmetic mommy makeover, which includes procedures like body contouring, can be a great way to get your body, and your beauty back in no time.
2 – Hair Loss
During pregnancy, increased estrogen means that many women experience thicker, stronger hair which is less likely to fall out. In part because of this, women who have recently given birth can lose up to 100 hairs a day, resulting in thinning and notoriously short ‘postpartum hairs’. This can have a significant impact on how women view themselves during this already challenging period, but this isn’t a helpless issue.
While products can’t prevent this hair loss, postpartum shampoos can be useful for encouraging quick growth and providing volume to thinning hair. Equally, hair extensions are a great temporary option and can help postpartum women feel more confident, even during the hair loss stage.
3 – Skin Changes
Increased blood flow can help skin to appear fresh and plum during pregnancy, but the postpartum period brings less welcome skin changes for many women. Particularly, hormonal changes during this period can result in dry, sensitive, or even acne-prone skin.
Luckily, dermatologists believe it is possible to achieve something known as a ‘postpartum glow’ by introducing a few crucial skincare steps. Gentle products are essential, as is increased hydration, and even the introduction of skincare products that contain antioxidants like Vitamin C and E, which can all help to restore a clear complexion.
Your body experiences countless changes during birth, and they’ll inevitably have some physical impact postpartum. Maintain your beauty focus regardless by preparing for even these unexpected changes in advance.
