When a woman's stomach expands during pregnancy, stretch marks may be left behind after the baby is born. Stretch marks are of no medical concern, but many women wish them to be gone for cosmetic reasons. Whether stretch mark treatments will remove them permanently is a matter of debate, but women will continue to try both medical procedures and home remedies to remove pregnancy stretch marks for good. Consult your doctor before attempting to remove stretch marks; don't consent to any potentially dangerous treatments while pregnant.
Pulsed Dye Laser Therapy
Pulsed dye laser therapy uses lasers at wavelengths that are non-wounding to skin, says MayoClinic.com. The lasers work to remodel underlying skin by stimulating collagen and elastin to grow. Pulsed dye laser therapy is the most effective when stretch marks are newer, but it may have a positive effect on older stretch marks as well.
Microdermabrasion
Microdermabrasion is a procedure that removes the top layer of skin to eradicate your stretch marks. The doctor uses a small, hand-held tool to blow crystals onto your skin, then a vacuum removes the crystals, along with the skin cells. Microdermabrasion is effective at removing older stretch marks.
Tretinoin Creams
Recent stretch marks that are less than six weeks old and still red or pink, may benefit from application of tretinoin cream, or Retin-A Renova. The cream can help to rebuild collagen, but is not as effective on older stretch marks and shouldn't be used while you are still pregnant. If your stretch marks have formed during the last month or so of your pregnancy, tretinoin cream may be an option.
Massage Treatment
The Expectant Mothers Guide to Pittsburgh website says using a body brush or a wash cloth where stretch marks are forming may prevent them from developing. Be careful not to brush or rub too vigorously while you are pregnant.
Lotions
Although not medically proven, the use of lotions may have some benefit to halting stretch mark development while you are pregnant. Rubbing a substance such as vitamin E oil where stretch marks are forming could keep moisture in the skin and supply nutrients that might help.
