4 Super Effective Remedies For Pregnancy Stretch Marks

4 Super Effective Remedies For Pregnancy Stretch Marks
4 Super Effective Remedies For Pregnancy Stretch Marks

Are you a mom who’s afraid to wear tops that expose your belly?

Well, I have some bad news for you.

Stretch marks aren’t something you can easily remove.

When you get pregnant, your body releases a hormone that softens the ligaments in the pelvis so it becomes easier for you to give birth.

Though it sounds good, it has a negative effect on collagen.

It makes your collagen fibers weaker and softer, making your skin less elastic. As this happens, you become more prone to stretch marks.

Lucky for you, we have rounded up the easiest pregnancy stretch mark remedies you can use to get rid of those squiggly lines on your belly.

So, shall we dive into it?

1. Aloe Vera Gel

If you’re looking for a hard-working plant, Aloe Vera is your guy. It can be used to treat various skin conditions- from sagging skin to stretch marks.

The secret is in its malic acid content. It is a form of alpha-hydroxy acid that has the ability to penetrate deep into the skin to boost the production of collagen.

It also helps restore the skin’s natural pH. Having a balanced pH means you have a stabilized protective barrier and have a lower chance of getting dry skin.

It can be used on its own and applied directly to stretch marks. Massage it gently using circular motions and allow it to sit for 30 minutes before rinsing it off.

Alternatively, you can create a mixture by combining the gel with vitamin E.

Just mix the content of 10 Vitamin E capsules with ¼ cup of Aloe Vera gel. Massage it over your belly until fully absorbed, repeating it twice a day.

stretch marks remedies pregnancy

Vitamin E has the ability to encourage new skin cell growth and speed up skin cell regeneration. It can also reduce itching.

Tip: Only use the gel from fresh Aloe Vera leaves. As much as possible, avoid gels sold at stores as they may contain preservatives that can make this remedy ineffective.

2. Stretch Mark Cream

Want to keep stretch marks to a minimum? Use a stretch mark cream. It’s that simple.

Now, before you go ahead and grab one, listen first.

Stretch mark creams are not formulated the same way. Some of them can help prevent stretch marks while others are formulated to reduce the appearance of post-pregnancy marks.

So, in choosing, make sure to consider exactly what you need.

Apart from that, you should also pay close attention to ingredients. Creams formulated with vitamin E, collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid are your best options since they can help with cellular turnover and repair.

Here’s a tip:

stretch marks remedies pregnancy

If you want to boost the effects of these creams, make sure to apply them religiously. You should also do a massaging motion each time you use it.

Why?

Well, massaging can increase blood flow, making the healing process faster. Apart from that, massaging also helps break down accumulated scar tissues so your stretch marks will be less noticeable. 

3. Tretinoin Creams

These creams are multitaskers in the field of dermatology.

Tretinoin was approved by the FDA primarily to fight the signs of aging. But, with the advances in technology, it’s now widely used for skin conditions, like dark spots, keratosis pilaris, acne and even stretch marks.

stretch marks remedies pregnancy

These creams can stimulate the production of collagen. It’s the fibrous protein found in the skin that gives it its elasticity.
The more collagen you have in your skin, the more resilient it will be when stretched.

Fact:

A study revealed that 0.1% tretinoin creams improved the appearance of stretch marks in 2 months. After 6 months, the length of those marks were reduced by 14% and the width by 8%.

A separate study showed a 20% decrease in length in 12 weeks.

Amazing, right? A huge difference for such a simple medication.

But, there’s just one issue.

Tretinoin creams can cause congenital defects in babies. Therefore, if you are breastfeeding or pregnant, avoid these creams as much as possible.

Also, they work best on new and fresh stretch marks. So, the moment you see those white lines appearing, I suggest applying them right away.

4. Carboxytherapy Treatment

If you have a few bucks to spare, this option is for you.

It is a quick procedure that lasts for only 30 minutes maximum. After undergoing this procedure, you will notice an improvement in your fine lines, skin elasticity, and overall circulation.

This is how it works:

Carboxytherapy corrects poor circulation that causes those stretch marks.

stretch marks remedies pregnancy

With the help of a needle, carbon dioxide is injected into the affected area so that red blood cells could rush into it again.

Scar tissues don’t have nerves to begin with so it’s basically a painless process. However, if you are still worried about pain, numbing creams are typically rubbed on the area before the procedure.

Carboxytherapy has no side effects and is considered safe. 

You may experience some bruising here and there, but this is normal and should go away within a week.

But, if these bruises really bother you, it’s nothing a good concealer for bruises can’t fix.

Itchiness can also be felt but this will subside in around 5 minutes. And although there is no downtime with this procedure, you should still avoid swimming or bathing 4 hours after the treatment.

Sounds good? Here’s the catch.

The number of treatments depends on how worse your condition is. For stretch marks, it may take 6 to 12 treatments (with a one-week interval) to achieve great results.

And how much does a session cost?

Depending on the clinic, it can range anywhere between $75 and $200.

Conclusion

Stretch marks from pregnancy aren’t harmful. But, one thing’s for sure: they look awful.

You’ve probably tried countless solutions to get rid of the stretch marks on your belly. And I assume none of them worked because you’re here, right?

These 4 pregnancy stretch mark remedies, however, are guaranteed to be effective. There's an option depending on how small or big your budget is.

How do you deal with pregnancy stretch marks? Share your experience in the comment section below!

Dr Kathleen May Eusebio-Alpapara

A board-certified dermatologist who practices both medical and cosmetic dermatology

Leave a Comment

293 Shares
Tweet
Share4
Share
Pin289