Treating Stretch Marks During and After Pregnancy

Sarah Health

There are two types of people in this world: one who is content with having stretch marks and one who wants to reduce their appearance. And let us tell you, there is nothing wrong with being either of them.

The main reason why stretch marks occur is that the elastin and collagen fibers break. This commonly occurs when your skin changes shape in a short period due to excessive weight loss or weight gain. Pregnancy, of course, is one of the main reasons why people develop stretch marks with the most commonly affected areas being the thighs, arms, abdomen, and breasts.

Read on as we discuss the different ways in which you can reduce the appearance of your stretch marks, during and after pregnancy.

Stretch Marks Prevention During Pregnancy

This time is quite crucial to help prevent stretch marks in the first place. But then again, you also have to understand that it’s not technically possible for every mother to be a hundred percent safe from the appearance of stretch marks.

There are a lot of other factors that can determine whether or not you’ll get stretch marks such as genetics. If you have a family history of prominent stretch marks, you may just be fighting a really hard battle. 

Now, we aren’t telling you that there is nothing that you can do about it but, prepare yourselves over the realization that there might just be higher chances that you develop them quicker than others.

Here are a few things that you can do to avoid severe stretch marks when you are pregnant:

Eat Well

When you eat a healthy and well-balanced diet, you will have healthy skin which will lead to fewer stretch marks. Make sure to include a lot of green vegetables, protein, carbohydrates, and vitamins to have a good nutrient profile. In addition to glowing and healthy skin, this can be really good for the tiny human growing in your stomach as well.

Apply Stretch Mark Creams

Stretch mark creams can either be curative or preventative. The good thing about these creams and lotions is that they contain nourishing ingredients such as vitamin E, vitamin A, herbal compound extracts, shea butter, retinoids, and many other ingredients that can help to promote gentle repair of your skin cells.

Initially, there was a lot of controversy regarding the effectiveness of stretch mark creams in the past. After conducting several studies and trials, scientists finally concluded that using stretch mark creams and lotions can actually be effective to reduce the appearance of stretch marks. So, make sure to buy some on your next grocery shopping outing!

Since you are currently pregnant, you should opt for the preventative formula which is supposed to be applied before the appearance of any stretch marks. Remember to be diligent whenever you are applying stretch mark creams as only then will you see any visible results.

Try to Control Your Weight

Gaining a lot of weight in a short period is bound to result in stretch marks. Even while you are pregnant, you should take care to gain weight slowly and gradually. You can enlist the help of your OB/GYN and dietician to formulate a diet plan that can be good for your baby and body.

Stretch Marks Prevention After Pregnancy

Now that the baby is out, you have to change up your skin routine a bit. You might already see a few stretch marks on your stomach, thighs, or breasts. But with a little baby in your hand, suddenly all these marks seem worth it, doesn’t it?

Still, there are a couple of ways in which you can reduce the appearance of stretch marks that may have appeared while you were pregnant.

Change Your Stretch Mark Cream Formula

As mentioned before, there are two types of stretch mark cream formulas and after giving birth, you should opt for the curative version.

Loaded with similar nourishing ingredients, you need to directly apply the product on the stretch marks and rub it in. Try to be particular about the application timings and frequency.

Apply a DIY Mixture

Create a mixture of 1 cup sugar along with 1/4 cup of any carrier oil such as almond oil or coconut oil. You can also add a few drops of lemon juice to make the overall consistency similar to that of wet sand.

Rubbing sugar on stretch marks is actually a microdermabrasion method that has been used for ages when it comes to stretch marks removal. You need to apply this mixture on the affected areas and rub it for about 10 to 15 minutes in a circular motion.

Opt for Laser Therapy

Laser therapy or light therapy is one of the best ways of removing stretch marks in an efficient and fast manner. It has even got the stamp of approval from the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery.

While it may sound complicated, laser therapy is a nonsurgical procedure in which a dermatologist uses a beam of light to break down your stretch marks. This, in turn, helps to enhance the natural appearance of your skin. It’s quite a quick process that will take about 30 minutes and provide you with instant results.

Think Microneedling

Stretch marks occur due to a handful of reasons, including weight loss or gain, after or during pregnancy, or when experiencing growth spurts. They can be visible on different parts of the body like thighs, abdomen, breasts, and buttocks.

Microneedling is commonly used as a treatment option to reduce the appearance of stretch marks. It creates controlled micro-injuries in the skin and stimulates elastin and collagen production. These proteins work together to improve the appearance and texture of the skin, thereby reducing the visibility of stretch marks. Owing to these reasons, people often opt for microneedling in Odessa, TX, or in areas pertinent to them.

Rubbing Aloe Vera Gel

An ingredient that has been used for centuries for skin care, aloe vera has rejuvenating and skin-healing properties that make it the perfect solution to get rid of stretch marks. 

By purchasing an aloe vera plant, you will be able to extract fresh aloe vera gel at any time of the day or night. Generally, you should apply the gel immediately after you have taken a shower. The natural moisturizing properties of this one ingredient will leave you with super soft skin and reduce stretch marks simultaneously. 

If you are buying a market-bought aloe gel, make sure that the product does not contain any harmful chemicals and is 100% natural. This is an important part because only pure aloe vera gel can help in the case of stretch marks.

Resources- Very Well Family, Healthline, Perfect Body Mate