Skin Cancer Research and Education

A guide to understanding common postpartum recovery concerns

After pregnancy, it is common for the body to undergo physical changes such as abdominal skin laxity, localised fat deposits, muscle hypotonia, or the appearance of stretch marks and telangiectasias. Although these are frequent and expected changes, they may affect quality of life, self-esteem and a woman’s overall wellbeing.

In this guide, we explain in detail the most common postpartum concerns and the medical-aesthetic solutions offered within our unit to help restore body shape, improve skin quality and support a safe, effective and respectful recovery, tailored to each individual process.

Skin laxity

Skin laxity affects the vast majority of women after childbirth. It results from stretching of the skin and loss of tone in the supporting tissues caused by progressive abdominal enlargement during pregnancy, together with structural changes that influence skin elasticity and connective tissue.

This laxity may alter the silhouette, with a softer, looser and less firm abdomen that does not improve despite a healthy diet and an active lifestyle.

To address it, medical-aesthetic procedures aimed at stimulating collagen and elastin production are often required. These include radiofrequency microneedling, combined with other treatments depending on whether the laxity is mild, moderate or more severe.

Depending on each patient’s needs, protocols may also include polynucleotides—biostimulatory compounds derived from salmon DNA—which support deep hydration and help promote collagen and elastin production.

The goal of these combined approaches is to repair and redensify tissues and to improve skin quality naturally, restoring structure and firmness.

However, when skin redundancy is significant and there is substantial excess tissue, treatment may need to be complemented with surgery. In such cases, patients can receive specialist assessment and guidance from our Plastic Surgery Unit.

Localised fat

After delivery, many women present localised fat deposits, most commonly in the abdomen, although they may also appear on the hips or thighs. These accumulations are linked to pregnancy-related hormonal and metabolic changes that favour lipid storage in the subcutaneous fat layer (the adipose tissue beneath the skin).

Although fat volume may decrease naturally over time, resistant deposits can persist despite diet and exercise. A medical-aesthetic approach can help remodel body contour and support a more harmonious recovery of the silhouette after motherhood.

To address this, we use advanced technologies such as radiofrequency microneedling and the Accent Prime X platform.

Radiofrequency microneedling combines the mechanical action of a matrix of needles with thermal energy delivered at depth. Thanks to its penetration capacity—particularly suitable for the abdominal area—it reaches deeper levels than other non-surgical techniques.

This technology promotes collagen and elastin formation, contracts the skin and can help target localised fat, addressing skin laxity, skin quality and fat deposits simultaneously.

Accent Prime X combines low-frequency ultrasound with non-invasive radiofrequency in a single platform. It acts on deeper layers of adipose tissue, selectively targeting fat cells without damaging surrounding tissues, which may translate into visible reduction in abdominal volume over a small number of sessions.

Muscle hypotonia

Muscle hypotonia is the loss of tone and firmness of the abdominal musculature that may occur after pregnancy, when muscles have undergone significant stretching. This weakness can hinder recovery of a flatter abdomen, affect posture and, in some cases, be associated with lower back discomfort or reduced core stability.

Addressing hypotonia early with medical approaches and targeted exercise supports both functional and aesthetic abdominal recovery.

Our Body Aesthetic Medicine Unit has an electromagnetic muscle stimulation device designed to combat this loss of tone.

This procedure is used across several medical specialties (including urology, rehabilitation and gynaecology) due to its ability to stimulate and tone muscles non-invasively by generating contractions that promote muscle fibre growth and strengthening. It also contributes to remodelling internal muscle structure, resulting in a denser, more toned and more compact muscle.

Diastasis

Many women develop abdominal diastasis after one or more deliveries.

Diastasis recti is the separation of the rectus abdominis muscles due to pressure from the growing uterus. It is often associated with pelvic floor weakness, lower back discomfort, digestive symptoms, abdominal protrusion and difficulty performing certain exercises or sports.

Accurate diagnosis and appropriate management not only improve body contour but also contribute to functional recovery and overall wellbeing.

Supervised exercise programmes—guided by rehabilitation physicians and physiotherapists—together with selected medical-aesthetic treatments aimed at strengthening musculature may help in mild diastasis, where separation is limited.

However, when the separation is wider (over 5 centimetres) or there are associated problems such as frequent lower back pain or hernias, the most effective solution is often reconstructive surgery (abdominoplasty with muscle plication). This restores abdominal anatomy and support and is performed within our Plastic Surgery Unit.

Postpartum telangiectasias

Telangiectasias, also known as spider veins, are very common in the postpartum period. These small red or bluish dilated veins—often with a web-like pattern—are related to pregnancy hormonal fluctuations and increased blood volume during gestation.

They most often appear on the legs and feet, although they are also common on the face and décolletage. While they may gradually improve after delivery, they often persist and can affect a patient’s perception of their appearance.

It is reasonable to wait several months postpartum to assess spontaneous improvement. During this period, conservative measures may help, such as wearing compression stockings, gentle exercise, elevating the legs when resting, avoiding prolonged sitting or standing (taking active breaks), and maintaining a healthy weight.

If telangiectasias are more prominent, patients may be referred to the Vascular Surgery Unit, where the suitability of sclerotherapy can be assessed. This minimally invasive outpatient treatment eliminates spider veins by injecting a sclerosing foam. It does not require anaesthesia, hospital admission or recovery time, and in addition to aesthetic improvement, it can significantly relieve the sensation of heavy or tired legs associated with larger telangiectasias.

Stretch marks

Stretch marks are scars caused by rupture of collagen and elastin fibres due to excessive stretching of the skin. Genetic and hormonal factors contribute, and they are particularly common in late pregnancy, as well as in other situations involving rapid weight changes.

They are most commonly located on the abdomen, thighs, hips and breasts. For best results, treatment should ideally be started early—when stretch marks are still red or violaceous—because prognosis is poorer once they become white.

Treatments may soften and fade stretch marks substantially (depending on several factors), but they generally do not eliminate them completely.

At our Body Aesthetic Medicine Unit, we use combined protocols tailored to each case. For red stretch marks, vascular laser may be used to reduce inflammation and redness, followed by laser treatments designed to smooth skin surface and support tissue repair through collagen and elastin induction.

When stretch marks are more mature (with a whitish or pearly tone), radiofrequency microneedling may be added to help improve stretch marks as well as associated laxity and overall skin quality.

Persistent linea nigra

Linea nigra is a vertical hyperpigmented line extending from the navel to the pubic area, associated with increased progesterone during pregnancy, which influences melanin production.

Not all pregnant women develop it, and it usually fades gradually after delivery as hormone levels return to baseline.

However, it can persist in some cases. Depending on severity, it may be treated with topical depigmenting agents combined with laser therapy or radiofrequency microneedling. These techniques can enhance penetration of topical active ingredients and, at the same time, support improvement in overall skin quality.

More information

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