Stretch marks are a common complaint after pregnancy. As your belly grows rapidly, your skin creates tiny fissures where it hasn't had time to stretch properly. Because of this, once you've delivered your baby and even lost the baby weight, you may still be plagued with purple and red vertical marks along your belly. Stretch marks are genetic, so there isn't a true way to prevent them. Instead, focus on treatments that help get rid of stretch marks after birth to see an improvement.
Step 1
Apply a tretinoin cream to the affected area when the stretch marks are still new and pink. Tretinoin cream helps to rebuild collagen, notes MayoClinic.com, making your stretch marks look more like the regular skin around them. Unfortunately, this treatment only works well for new stretch marks within six weeks of formation. So it's a good type of therapy to begin directly after your pregnancy.
A potent tretinoin cream may need to be prescribed by your doctor; mention your stretch marks and your desire for tretinoin cream at your six week postpartum checkup.
Step 2
Use sunless tanning cream in order to camouflage your stretch marks until they fade, suggests KidsHealth.org, a division of the Nemours Foundation. Since stretch marks are typically darker than your skin, using a self tanner on the rest of your body can make your stretch marks much less noticeable. Apply a moisturizing cream to your stretch marks as a barrier lotion to avoid darkening them. Then, apply the sunless tanning lotion to the rest of your skin, taking care to avoid streak. Wash your hands well and then wait for at least six hours for the color to develop.
Step 3
Talk to your dermatologist about laser resurfacing to help remove your stretch marks for good. This procedure uses an ablation laser, which runs over the surface of the skin to illicit a reaction much like a sunburn. The ablated skin begins to peel away, leaving newer, healthier skin behind. This can help remove the stretch mark damaged skin for a smoother appearance. You may experience pain and other side effects, so talk to a dermatologist to see whether you're a good candidate.
Step 4
Give your stretch marks time to heal on their own. While they may look noticeable and bright purple immediately following delivery, they'll begin to fade so they're less noticeable over time. While you're waiting, make sure to apply sunscreen to your stretch marks, as they can darken with sun exposure. You can even use concealer a shade lighter than your natural skin tone to help hide stretch marks while baring your belly.
Things You'll Need
- Retinoids
- Sunless tanning cream
