(Photo : Getty Images/Angela Weiss/AFP)
Serena Williams has revealed her experience undergoing a skin-tightening procedure on her "tummy."
The tennis icon, known for her athletic achievements, highlighted this treatment as part of her self-care routine following the birth of her second child.
In a video posted on Instagram, Williams is seen undergoing a radio frequency treatment on her stomach, a procedure designed to stimulate collagen production and firm sagging skin.
"I am getting a type of radio frequency on my tummy, and the results have been amazing," she wrote.
This form of self-care comes almost a year after giving birth to her second daughter, Adira. Williams has been open about her postpartum journey and the challenges of prioritizing her own needs while raising two children.
Williams candidly discussed her struggles with taking time for herself amid the demands of motherhood.
"Being OK to take time for myself is something I have always struggled with," she wrote. "I finally started being ok to take an hour (during nap time) away from my kids and work to do something for myself."
During a trip to Paris, a friend treated Williams to a spa day, where she first experienced the skin-tightening treatment.
"On my last trip to Paris, a girlfriend of mine treated me to a spa day. She knows after 2 babies I have been self-conscious of my tummy," she shared.
Williams expressed gratitude toward her friends, Mia and Nat, for encouraging her to take time for herself and boosting her confidence.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, radio frequency skin tightening uses an electromagnetic device that generates heat to stimulate the production of collagen, elastin, and new skin cells, which helps lift and firm sagging skin.
The results, while noticeable, are typically temporary and can last from one to three years. This procedure is non-invasive and can improve the appearance of the skin, making it a popular choice for those looking to enhance their skin's firmness and elasticity without surgery.
Despite embracing the changes in her body, Williams remains conscious of her birthing scars and the impact of her pregnancies.
She reassured her followers, saying, "My body will never be the same, but neither will I, because I have 2 amazing lights in my life."
Williams encouraged others to share their self-care practices and acknowledged the common struggle among mothers to find time for themselves.
Fans and fellow athletes of Williams responded positively to her post, appreciating her honesty and relatability. Many echoed her sentiments about the challenges of self-care and the importance of taking time for oneself.
"As athlete like you; I feel the same way. My abs haven't been back as they used it, that makes me self conscious as well," Ingrid Silva, a Brazilian ballet dancer, commented. "Hope I will find peace while I heal and grow from my journey. Definitely our body's are not the same and everyone experience something different."
"Funny I saw this now & thanks for sharing. I am a Mom of 3 beautiful kids and hardly take time or care of myself. I always feel guilty whenever I say pls give me 1hr to myself or that I am tired and needed to rest," one user wrote.
Williams, meanwhile, promised to keep her followers updated on her progress and invited them to join the conversation about self-care.