Post-pregnancy is a difficult time. You have your newborn baby to care for, your sleep cycle gets messed up, and you still have to stay strong as your body recovers from the major episode of delivery. It’s a delicate time, and sometimes, even the smallest triggers can be hard to handle. So if you are currently finding it difficult to accept how your body has changed, it’s okay. Take a deep breath. Post-pregnancy stretch marks can be too much to take in but remember, they are your battle scars and you emerged victorious.
In any case, the desire to get rid of them is still natural, and we are hoping this guide will help you on your quest. So let’s begin.
Is It Possible To Completely Remove Post-Pregnancy Stretch Marks?
This is a bit of a good news/bad news type of situation but let’s start with the bad news:
Stretch marks are pretty much permanent. It is nearly impossible to get rid of them completely. Think of them as any other scar. They stay too right? That’s the case with stretch marks too.
However, the good news is their visibility can be reduced. In fact, even if you don’t do anything, they are likely to fade away on their own after childbirth. However, it will take some time so be patient. In the meantime, you can certainly try alternative treatment methods to speed up the rate at which they fade.
What Works In Fading Away Post-Pregnancy Stretch Marks & When Should Treatment Start?
To be perfectly frank, it is better to start your stretch marks treatment journey while you are still pregnant – preferably within the first trimester itself. However, in case it didn’t happen or it didn’t help, you can start treating post-pregnancy stretch marks soon after delivery. The earlier you start the better.
A couple of treatment options you can look into include:
Chemical Peels
Chemical peels involving the use of Glycolic Acid can boost collagen production, helping you improve the appearance of visible ridges and lines.
Laser Therapy
Laser therapy has been widely used to lighten scars and may be effective against stretch marks as well. However, proper consultation is necessary to know if it’s the right option for you. Also, remember it’s expensive and requires multiple sessions to be effective.
Microneedling
Microneedling has become an increasingly popular treatment for scars and wrinkles and it may just work for stretch marks too. It uses fine needles to make small punctures on your skin, which helps in skin rejuvenation. It might be worth a shot if it’s safe for you.
Which Ingredients Work Against Post-Pregnancy Stretch Marks?
Each of the treatment options we have listed above are expensive and come with their own set of mostly minor risks, so it makes sense to look for more natural and safer alternatives. That’s where the following ingredients can help you:
Hyaluronic Acid
One of the best known moisturisers on this planet, Hyaluronic Acid supports the restoration of your skin’s natural elasticity by keeping it hydrated. It may improve the appearance of stretch marks over time, keeping your skin soft and smooth instead of ridged and rough.
STRIOVER™
Whether you get ThriveCo’s STRIOVER™ cream or AreoVeda’s Stretch Marks Cream, the result will be the same. You will have a great ingredient on your hands that has been proven to work against stretch marks. Creams containing STRIOVER™ can improve your skin’s elasticity, making it firmer and taut. They also soothe the itchiness and irritation stretch marks cause so it’s a double win.
Centella
Creams containing this massively popular K-Beauty ingredient are known as cica creams and they are widely used for a reason. Topical creams containing Centella Asiatica can actually help in the reduction of various kinds of scars stretch marks. Use them regularly, and you will notice the appearance of your stretch marks getting better.
Aloe Vera
Aloe Vera gel is one of the best ways to hydrate your skin and soothe any of the irritation stretch marks cause. Since it’s a natural, non-greasy hydrator, it can be safely used several times a day. In fact, its ability to reduce redness and itchiness may make it a perfect candidate for fading away stretch mark scars too. Definitely worth a shot!
Coconut Oil
Pick up an extra virgin Coconut Oil available in the market and you have got yourself a valuable tool in your fight against post-pregnancy stretch marks. Naturally moisturising, it effectively resolves skin infections and wounds. It can speed up the pace at which your stretch marks fade away too if you use it regularly.
Conclusion
Post-pregnancy stretch marks can affect the confidence and self-perception of any woman and you do not have to be guilty about feeling this way. It’s perfectly natural to feel the loss of how your body used to be. However, not all hope is lost and most stretch marks do fade away in time. Plus, you can improve the pace at which they fade away by either opting for safe and suitable treatments or using creams and home remedies with ingredients that work. Good luck!
