Stretch marks are a form of scarring that appear after your skin quickly stretches or shrinks. They often happen due to pregnancy, weight gain, weight loss and bodybuilding. Treatment options include laser skin resurfacing, dermabrasion, microneedling and retinol creams.
How to Get Reduce Stretch Marks After Pregnancy
Glycolic Acid
It's also been shown to accelerate collagen production by activating fibroblasts—the cell that creates collagen. This potent ingredient helps to reduce the width of striae alba (white stretch marks) over a six-month period. You can also combine glycolic acid with tretinoin for even better results.
While it is more common during the formation, the itching can flare up during any weight changes. This is because stretch-marked skin is thinner, thanks to the tearing. The delicate surface leaves the nerve effectors exposed and more sensitive to irritants which causes itchy skin.
It'S The Perfect Time To Take Care Of Your Skin With Bio-Oil Skincare Oil. Made For All Skin Types, This Skincare Oil Can Be Used To Help Reduce The Appearance Of Stretch Marks, Scars, And Other Marks Due To Pregnancy, Surgery, Injury, Acne, Aging, And More. Its Fast-Absorbing, Non-Comedogenic Formula Won'T Clog Pores.
Derived from vitamin A, retinoids — such as tretinoin (Retin-A, Renova, Avita) — that you apply to your skin may improve the appearance of stretch marks less than a few months old. Tretinoin, when it works, helps to rebuild a protein in the skin called collagen, making the stretch marks look more like your normal skin.
“Bio-Oil skincare oils are safe for use by pregnant and lactating women, and it can be used from the start of the first trial semester until after birth, and on an ongoing basis, and is 100% safe for use on the body while breastfeeding,” Dr. Libby said.
Many creams and lotions claim to prevent, reduce or remove stretch marks. But there's very little evidence these work.
Postpartum hives
This is the most common pregnancy-related skin condition and can be more common with first babies or multiples. The condition causes red, itchy bumps that are thought to be part of changes to the connective tissue in the abdomen.
Best Belly Oil for Stretch Marks
Moisturizing oils like avocado, coconut and sunflower, help skin feel hydrated, while rosehip oil and marula oil repair the skin and encourage collagen production.
Kim Kardashian has used resurfacing lasers such as fractional and Cool Laser treatments to improve skin texture, stretch marks, and pigmentation. These lasers help tighten, smooth, and rejuvenate the skin without the need for invasive procedures.
In two large studies, applying hyaluronic acid to early stretch marks made the stretch marks less noticeable. Tretinoin is a retinoid, which may also make early stretch marks less noticeable. In one study, people who applied this prescription cream every night for 24 weeks had less noticeable stretch marks.
Palmer's Cocoa Butter Formula Massage Cream helps visibly improve skin elasticity and the appearance of stretch marks. Pure Cocoa Butter and Shea Butter, Natural Oils, Collagen, Elastin and Lutein keep skin moisturized and supple for 48 hours allowing skin to stretch more easily.
You may also get stretch marks after pregnancy due to natural hormonal changes and those caused by birth control (which your ob-gyn will likely recommend going on to avoid another pregnancy so soon after birth), adds Cynthia Flynn, MD, a Florida-based ob-gyn with JustAnswer.
Moreover, witch hazel can also be beneficial in minimizing the appearance of stretch marks and reducing the appearance of scars. Its astringent properties can help to tighten and tone the skin, which may improve the appearance of stretch marks over time.
Honey possesses various antiseptic properties that can prevent the appearance of stretch marks on the skin. Yet do remember that honey should be in raw form without any processes. To add this to the schedule of women's care, you just need to apply honey on the cloth and then wrap up it around the area for a while.
Beyond body changes, many women notice face changes after pregnancy due to hormonal shifts, water retention, and lifestyle adjustments. Fuller cheeks, pigmentation around the eyes, or changes in facial fat distribution are common.
The 5-5-5 rule is a guideline for what kind of help a postpartum mom needs: five days in bed, five days round the bed — meaning minimal walking around — the next five days around the home. This practice will help you prioritize rest and recovery while gradually increasing activity.
These can include:
Stretch marks are a form of scarring that appear after your skin quickly stretches or shrinks. They often happen due to pregnancy, weight gain, weight loss and bodybuilding. Treatment options include laser skin resurfacing, dermabrasion, microneedling and retinol creams.
MOISTURIZE EVERY DAY
Moisturizing your body twice per day can help keep your skin properly hydrated and nourished and help prevent dryness. Daily moisturizing is just as important when you're on-the-go or traveling, according to Dr. Sugai.
Best Oils for Postnatal Massages
Warning: Bio-Oil shouldn't be used if your skin is cracked, bleeding, or broken. Keep out of the sight and reach of children. Read the package leaflet before use.
Coconut oil, a natural hydrator and emollient, penetrates deep into the skin, restoring moisture and suppleness. It helps soothe dryness and keeps the skin soft and smooth, which is essential during the stretching that occurs in pregnancy.