Lets know how you can remove your pregnancy stretch marks. Every woman dreams to become a mother. During pregnancy or after giving birth a child, the majority mother suffer form stretch marks on their stomachs and breasts. These marks or scars are permanent. There are few effective ways to drastically improve their appearance. These marks are the honour of every mother. These are the sign of a baby-making, child-bearing badge. But for some mother pregnancy stretch marks can make them feel a bit down about their body.
Normally, pregnancy stretch marks are partly depends on genetics. If you have these pregnancy stretch marks you need to take extra caution about stretch mark protection. Whether you want to prevent pregnancy stretch marks or remove stretch marks or you’re simply just looking for pregnancy safe skincare, you need to go through this article thoroughly. Let’s discuss what pregnancy stretch marks are, what causes them, and you can remove your pregnancy stretch marks, how to treat them.
What are pregnancy stretch marks?
During or after pregnancy these marks are developed in the dermis, the middle layer of your skin. Small tears in the dermis form vertically across the horizontal Langar’s lines which span across your skin. At the first appreance, these marks look like very dark in color, often purple or red. They come above your skin and can be slightly puffy and itchy. With the passage of time their appreance normally developes. The color of stretch marks will gradually turn from red to a pale color, and the marks flatten or appear slightly depressed below the level of the surrounding skin.
Pregnancy stretch marks are difficult to prevent. These marks are actually indentation lines or streaks that develop on various body parts over time, especially when weight fluctuates. During pregnancy, to prevent or remove pregnancy stretch marks women frequently use oils, butter, and lotions. It is known as striae. Pregnancy stretch marks are not painful. But they look unattractive. Sometimes they make feel itchiness for women. Many women become shocked at that these marks may be permanent and go to the experts to consult on removing postpartum stretch marks because they expect them to go away as quickly as they had during pregnancy.
How does pregnancy stretch marks occur?
- Abdomen
- Arms
- Breasts
- Buttocks
- Hips
- reduced back
- Thighs
- While in puberty
- During pregnancy
- Because of sudeden weight gain or weight loss.
Who gets stretch marks?
Anyone can be victim to stretch marks. Some people can be affected by stretch makrs genetically. Because genetics is one of the strongest predictors. If you have close connection to those who have stretch marks there is a chance for you to develop them, too.
Pregnancy is a common cause of stretch marks. from a research published in 2015, it is suggested that up to 90 percent people will develop stretch marks.
Other risk factors include:
- using a corticosteroid medication.
- losing or gaining weight rapidly.
- having breast enlargement surgery.
- increasing muscle size rapidly, for example through bodybuilding.
How Common Are Pregnancy Stretch Marks?
What causes stretch marks during pregnancy?
Usually, stretch marks are seen on the pregnant tummy and body. It happens because your body and skin extends to accommodate the growing fetus. These marks are not harmful. On the other hand, there is opinion that these stretch marks are aften caused when your skin expands, changes of hormone, not by average pregnancy weight gain. No doubt, too much weight gain can be the cause of stretch marks, but stretch marks can still appear on pregnant women who only gain a minor or moderate weight.
Two prime factors impact pregnancy stretch marks:
Hormones:
Stretch marks are developed by changes in hormone levels during pregnancy. When you become pregnant your adrenal glands create the hormone cortisol. Because of increased cortisol levels during pregnancy, stretch marks have an approximate effect of the weakened elastic fibers in your skin.
Heredity:
During pregnancy, Stretch marks can be developed by genetics. It is normal that you will can be affected by those red, purple, pink, or brown streaks during pregnancy. Probably, during your young age you had stretch marks. Such as when your skin was expanding during puberty or another growth spurt.
When should you expect to see stretch marks?
Different Types of Stretch Mark Treatments
There are few ways for the pregnancy stretch marks treatment. Treatments can be categorized into two types. those are medical treatments for stretch marks and natural Remedies to Treat Scars and Stretch Marks.
Both have been described in detail below:
Medical treatments for stretch marks:
Medical treatments for stretch marks are executed in office trained professionals like a doctor, a dermatologist, cosmetic surgeon, or plastic surgeon or a licensed professional, depending on what state you’re in and considering the possible risks. For the treatment of stretch marks removal we need more research. From the studies in 2017 and another studies in the same year it is suggested that stretch marks can be developed by the medical treatments. These marks can not be fully removed or erased by the medical treatment. We have listed some of effective medical treatments below.
Laser Therapy:
One of the most effective treatments for reducing the appearance of postpartum stretch marks is laser therapy. As stretch marks develop in the darmis level of your skin, a laser light is used to reach deep into the skin’s sub layers for repairment and reproduction of skin cells. What kind of laser you need, it depends on your skin and marks types. The laser light helps to produce to reconstruct thedamaged tissue and it gives you smooth skin with improved color and texture. Skin texture and redness can be minimized by laser therapy which is caused by scars and rosacea.
Microdermabrasion:
Microdermabrasion exfoliates your skin in such a way that home remedies cannot do that. Handheld wand is used to remove your dead skin by a professional. He or she applies a substance on your skin o gently remove dead cells. To be frank, the process of microdermabrasion is little bit invasive. Microdermabrasion is used to develop your skin tone and texture. There is limited research on microdermabrasion for stretch marks. From the limited research it has been proved that microdermabrasion helps to decrease the appearance of stretch marks.
Chemical Peels:
In the chemical peels treatment an acid like glycolic acid is used on your skin surface to remove pregnancy tretch marks. Professional chemical peels are more powerful in comparioson to home made remedies. It is a cosmetic treatment which exfoliates your skin. Collagen production in your skin is augmented by glycolic acid peels. This glycolic acid peels effectively help to treat stretch marks. This process to reduce the size of strecth marks but there is limited evidence of the result.
It is said that clinical procedures are more effective than home remedies for stretch marks. But these procedures aren’t typically covered by insurance, and they can be costly. It should be keept in mind that all treatment procedures are not suitable for all skin types. Before conducting any treatment you need to consult a dermatologist to find out which one is right for you.
Microneedling:
In this treatment through a device tiny pricks are created in the skin. This process also helps to produce collagen and elastin. According to the Food and Drug Administration, in the home remedies are conducted on skin surface but in microneedling process reaches in the deep of your skin to accelerate the function more effectively and more safely. It is also little bit invasive way to treat the texture of stretch marks.
Tummy Tuck:
To remove abdominal stretch marks opr pregnancy stretch marks, a tummy tuck is one of the most effective treatments. The skin of your below belly button and stretch marks in that area can be removed by tummy tuck treatment. Above stretch marks of your belly button are pulled down and repositioned to the lower stomach toward the stitch line to create a smoother appearance.
Radiofrequency therapy:
To stimulate collagen production, energy waves are sent in your skin by the radiofrequency treatments.
from a research in 2019 it has been shown that to reach into the deep of your skin, recently, radiofrequency treatments have been merged with microneedling treatments. A needle is penetrated in your skin and released radiofrequency into the channels which stimulates the collagen.
Additional research from 2019, it has been demonstrated that radiofrequency therapy may improve the look of stretch marks. But there is less studies on this. To compare to other available treatments, more reasurch and studies are needed.
Breast Reduction or Lift:
Breast stretch marks can be reduced by breast Reduction or Lift. In the both treatments, a portion of the breast skin is removed and helps to reposition your breast into a higher position. through these treatment you can make your breast appear firmer and the skin appear tighter. It also helps to cover the appreance of stretch marks.
Other Skin Removal Procedures:
Gaining too much weight is another cause of stretch marks. By following weight loss treatment many women try to remove stretch marks across the upper arms, thighs, lower bank, and butt. You can also remove these stretch marks by other skin removal surgeries, like an arm lift, thigh lift, or lower body lift.
Natural Remedies to Treat Scars and Stretch Marks:
Those who want to remove pregnancy stretch marks through natural remedies can follow the process described below:
Vitamin A
Vitamin A is referred to as a retinoid for the treatment of your skin. Retinoids helps to make your skin appear smoother and more youthful. Vitamin A is used as (OTC) over-the-counter for the skin care topical cosmetic creams. In a research in 2015 it hs been seen to focus on tretinoin, a prescription-strength form of retinol. In an older study in 1996, researchers found and explained that tretinoin helped to reduce stretch marks smaller and less severe. However, researchers from recent and large-scale studies have inspected the efficacy of tretinoin for the removal of stretch marks. But it is true that more research is needed to identify all its effects on stretch marks. Product are made of vitamin A can sometimes irritate your skin. If your want to try the product you should follow the instruction carefully.
Because there are known risks caused by retinoids during pregnancy, you should not use them if you are:
- Pregnant
- Lactating
- Trying to become pregnant
Stay Hydrated
Life is the another name of water. You need to drink water to keep yourself hydrated. Besides, water helps you to digest food. Not only that but also water is essential and helpful for dealing with stretch marks. To remain health and hydrated you should drink much water. If there is much water in our cells, they can function undisturbedly and repair themselves more effectively. In this way. water is able to recover stretch marks more easily developed by pregnancy. Specialists recommmends to drink at least eight cups / 2 liters of water every day to keep your skin cells healthy. Actually, it depends on how much water your body releases water in a day.
Hyaluronic acid
Hyaluronic acid helps to moisturize and heal your skin. It’s often used in creams, lotions, and serums. The visible appearance of stretch marks make changes your skin invisibly. Because of these changes your skin becomes little bit less esaltic, because collagen cannot perform its actual function of strengthening the skin. According to a study in 2014, it is said that Hyaluronic acid might have the power to effect your skin elasticity. From other research in 2017, it is suggested that hyaluronic acid have the potential to develop the appearance of stretch marks. But there are no enough evidence in favour of the seggession. More research should be needed for assurance. For testing purpose you can apply a hyaluronic acid product to the affected area each day.
Use Aloe Vera
From the ancient period, Aloe vera is being used as a natural skin treatment. In the natural treatment field, aloe vera has a long history. Aloe Vera is usually used to treat sunburns, but that’s not great for all the time. To make your skin smooth and moisturizing jelly of the aloe vera plant is used. The jelly stays inside the aloe vera leaves. According the the research from 2018, it is seen that aloe vera helps skin heal from burns and wounds. Because stretch marks are a type of scarring occur from damaged skin. Aloe vera has skin repearing particles which help with stretch mark prevention or fading. Aloe vera has clinical evidences as a stretch mark cure. Aloe vera can soften and heal skin. Collect aloe vera jelly from plant or OTC product and apply daily on your stretch marks after taking shower.
Centella
Centella asiatica is an herb. It is a very popular ingredient in beauty products in Korea.
Cica cream is a beauty product that contains centella. Usually this creams are used for the treatment of scar management. It also help to calm and repair sensitive skin. Cica creams are gaining popularity in the United States. But they can be costly. Centella helps to reduce inflammation and increase collagen production. According to the research in 2015 it is seen that this cream improves prevention of stretch marks during pregnancy. But the researchers mentioned that more evidence is still needed.
Avoid Caffeine
Caffeine has ingredients that increase the risk of stretch marks. So, if you want to prevent your pregnancy stretch marks and heal your present stretch marks, caffeine must be avoided.
Sugar
Sugar is considered as a popular exfoliator. Sugar helps to remove dead skin and leave you feeling smoother.
Microdermabrasion
Microdermabrasion is one of the few clinically proven methods that helps you to fade stretch marks. So, you can apply this home remedy for exfoliation yourself. You will get all necessary ingredients at your home.
How you will you make a sugar scrub:
You will be needed 1/2 cup sugar and a softening agent. You may take almond oil or coconut oil. You will be needed 1/2 cup oil. Mix the sugar into oil properly at a time. You scrub is ready. It will look like wet beach sand. Now, apply the scrub on your stretch marks and rub gentely. Repeat this method 2 or 3 times per week while in the shower or bath. After that take bath with warm water.
Coconut oil
It is proven that coconut oil has skin benefits. It helps maintaining skin’s protective barrier. According to a research in 2018 it is proven that coconut oil improves dry skin and some skin infections. It also helps healing skin wounds faster. In case of removing stretch marks there is not lot of evidence on the use of coconut oil. If you’re allergic to coconut, you can avoid coconut oil and try other oil like almod, oliv etc.
Must keep in mind that any skin care treatment can occasionally cause allergies or sensitivities. It can be home remedies and natural approaches. So, if you find any reaction after applying coconut oil, stop using the oil.
