According to the American Academy of Dermatology, it isn't uncommon to develop stretch marks in the sixth or seventh month of your pregnancy. Actually, less than 10 percent of women complete their pregnancies without a few of these blemishes, so don't be surprised if you notice red-to-purplish bands developing along your stomach, breasts or even thighs between your second and third trimesters. Stretch marks, or striae, are largely due to a gain in weight coupled with a change in hormones you experience during pregnancy.
Step 1
Allow stretch marks to simply fade. The National Institutes of Health maintain that stretch marks fade after the birth to a child. Provide your skin a little time to heal before seeking out different care methods for striae.
Step 2
Try applying a lotion to areas of the skin affected by striae. While the Mayo Clinic warns that lotions or moisturizers most likely won't provide the desired results, it is possible that liniments containing glycolic acid, Vitamin E or cocoa butter may help to improve the appearance of your skin.
Step 3
Start using a tretinoin cream. Both the Mayo Clinic and the American Academy of Dermatology recommend this topical medication to reduce the signs of stretch marks. Tretinoin is a prescription cream that stimulates the production of collagen, which can even out the skin and improve the appearance of striae. Apply directly on stretch marks each day for best results.
Step 4
Talk to a dermatologist or cosmetic surgeon about skin resurfacing. Skin resurfacing can reduce the appearance of stretch marks by either removing the epidermal layer of your skin or stimulating collagen production in the dermal layers of your skin, according to the Mayo Clinic. Skin resurfacing can be done through microdermabrasion, which causes new skin growth. Or it can be accomplished with laser therapy, which can cause both new skin growth and the production of collagen.
Tips and Warnings
- The National Institutes of Health recommends to avoid rapid weight gain. When you are pregnant, work with your doctor to determine the appropriate amount of weight you should gain during your pregnancy. This can help to prevent the formation of stretch marks.
- Avoid using over-the-counter creams that are "specifically-formulated" to remove stretch marks. They generally won't work any better than those lotions containing glycolic acid, Vitamin E or cocoa butter, and often cost you a great deal more than your average moisturizer.
Things You'll Need
- Moisturizer
- Tretinoin
