skin firming lotions/creams/wraps?

So after having a 10 lb 2 oz kid, my stomach is extremely stretched out.  I know that it will firm up some but I still have flabby skin from my son who was born 3 years ago.  Does anyone have any tricks or tips to help my skin along.  What works and what doesn't?

OOH!  I'd like to know this too.  I know there's only so much that a lotion/cream can do, but there's got to be something out there that will at least help, right?

I would be glad to contribute what I know, this is kind of an obsession of mine and has almost become like a second job for me! LOL

I have been using the Nivea Goodbye Cellulite cream on my thighs/butt/stomach/arms for a few months and I do see a difference (tighter looking skin, less cellulite). It's best if you use it 2x a day. Not a miracle, but it helps. They also make patches, but I find them WAY to small to fit any of my 'problem areas', LOL! I've tried using a few of them at once and keeping them on overnight (sleeping in a pair of bike shorts to keep them from falling off), but this is too costly and uncomfortable to keep up (a box only has 6 and costs over $20, I could use a whole box on my hips and thighs alone in one application)...if you're a small person with only a couple of 'dents', this would probably work very well, in combination with the cream.

body wraps: they work temporarily to tighten the skin- like anything else you have to keep up with it. the results are pretty good. salon wraps are anywhere from $50 to over $100. i've had good results with these but can't afford to get them all the time (it's great to do before a bathing suit vacation) so i bought an at-home kit with enough material to do about 10 wraps for $100. i find it a little hard to do, kind of uncomfortable and very time consuming. even so, after doing my first one i lost an inch off of my waist and another inch off of my stomach, nothing off the hips/thighs but the skin looked more toned. i think it works better for the stomach area than anywhere else. i also tried it on my double chin and the results were pretty good in that area as well. if you google 'at home body wrap kits' you will find the website i ordered from. there are lots of products available- i would suggest getting one in a salon first to see if you think the results are worth the time, effort and cost. at least in a salon you can relax and let someone else do the work, and you will see SOME results.

i use extra virgin coconut oil on cellulite on my thighs. it doesn't really tighten, but i am definitely soft. it goes on oily but soaks in and your good in few minutes. i have noticed more of a difference doing that than with the nivea cellulite cream. i use it all over as a lotion. it smells nice too!

I use beauticontrol skincontouring cream. It works! Use twice a day. I usually use after showering. Also, I saw a HUGE difference in my legs after doing a couple thermal heat wrap sessions at our local tanning salon. It is different from a traditional wrap in that you are fully clothed (minus shoes) and Your body is wrapped with heat emitting cuffs, then covered with a thermal blanket. Sadly, the salon has since shut down due to the economy :(  I would go again if I could find another place with one.

I used to work at a beauty store and the biggest thing we learned was the importance of exfoliation!  If you exfoliate and really make a point of rubbing those problem spots, with some type of scrub or lotion, it will really help to make a difference.  There isn't necessarily one type of scrub that will work over another - sugar scrubs are good, as are cocoa scrubs (I think those are firming) or really any type of exfoliator.  You do need to rub it for a few seconds though.  IT's not an instant fix all, but it does help minimize the signs of cellulite.

After having 4 children (2 girls and my twin boys) my stomach was completely stretched out---and now I'm dealing with Diastasis Recti (abdominal separation). Anyway, I lost a lot of weight w/diet and exercise, but people kept asking me if I was pregnant. Again, I was really stretched out and looked about 3-5months pregnant even after year.

What worked for me were the inch loss body wraps (you can read my profile and click on journal to find out the website address). I lost over 9 1/2 inches of actual fat and they tightened and toned my sagging skin!!!

I'm so happy I found these wraps. Along with the wrap---I used the companion product called the Defining Gel (anti-cellulite, toning treatment). Most wraps on the market are water loss wraps and you will only have temporary results. 

However, the wrap I found really works. The woman that introduced me to the wrap use to be a size 18 pushing 20 and because of the wraps she dropped down to a size 10!! 

 I love these wraps. They provided a natural alternative to liposuction. Just when I thought there was no hope of getting rid of my bulge---the wraps took off the fat!! Again, check out my profile to get the website address. You won't regret it!!

P.S. I'm new to the community---add me as your friend---I'd love to get to know you!

Hi there

At home treatments - super easy:

Equal amounts of ground coffee and extra virgin olive oil (enough to make it easily spreadable, add aromatherapy if you like - I perfer real vanilla extract over aroma) hop in the shower as hot as you can stand it, turn off the water and scrub down (exfoliating & caffein is great for cellu). Then rinse!

Another great thing - ginger baths. Put about 3 tablespoons of ground ginger in the tub, hop in and soak for no more than 20 or so mins - hop out without rinsing and wrap yourself in a blanket - you will sweat like crazy and then have a great sleep - trust me. (maybe use an old blanket)...

Saunas and steam rooms are also good :) and self-massage, too. Be good to yourself and eachother!