While your bundle of joy has added so much to your life, the “battle scars” of pregnancy remain as red or purple stretch marks. These stretch marks are actually a form of skin scarring that occurs when the skin is stretched beyond its normal limits due to rapid weight gain that can take place during pregnancy. Although you may associate pregnancy stretch marks with the abdomen, they can also appear on the breasts, hips, lower back, buttocks and thighs. While they may subside in color over time, it is possible to remove or fade the appearance of stretch marks.
Step 1
Apply a skin treatment product designed to soften the skin and reduce the uncomfortable itching that stretch marks can cause. Examples include vitamin E lotion, scar treatment products or cocoa butter. This can help to add elasticity and moisture back into your skin.
Step 2
Drink plenty of water. While this can be a challenge when pregnant, drinking enough water post-pregnancy can help to keep the skin healthy, according to the Expectant Mother’s Guide. Aim to drink at least 8 oz. of water eight times per day. You may need to drink more water if you are breastfeeding. While this may not completely eradicate stretch marks, drinking more water may help to improve their appearance.
Step 3
Eat a healthy diet with a mix of fruits, vegetables and whole grains, says DocShop.com. These nutrients can improve skin health, giving the body the nutrients it needs in order to repair itself.
Step 4
Massage the abdomen or any other areas where you may be experiencing stretch marks. This will increase the blood flow to these areas, which may help to increase collagen production. Because stretch marks are the result of changes to the layers of collagen in the skin, increasing collagen production can help to reduce the appearance of stretch marks.
Step 5
See a physician to find out if laser stretch mark treatment may be right for you. Laser treatments can help to remove areas of skin where stretch marks have occurred, according to DocShop.com. When the areas where stretch marks occur is removed, new, healthy skin can grow in its place. While this procedure may take several treatments and be costly, laser treatment is rarely associated with serious side effects.
Tips and Warnings
- In addition to laser therapy, surgical stretch mark removal may be the only true way to eradicate stretch marks, according to DocShop.com. Procedures, such as a tummy tuck, can remove the skin underneath the navel, where stretch marks tend to be most noticeable after giving birth.
Things You'll Need
- Water
- Stretch mark treatment cream
