Causes of stretch marks after pregnancy and childbirth. Can you get rid of them completely? Effective ways to tidy up the body at home and with the help of specialists.
Stretch marks after childbirth are a scourge for young mothers. As soon as a woman masters a new role and thinks about how to return to its former form, the problem arises before her in all its unsightly form. White, purple and bluish stripes, crookedly lining the body, seem to be a real disaster! However, do not rush to lose heart. You have every chance, if not to get rid of the problem completely, then at least to make it become less conspicuous.
What are stretch marks?
In the photo stretch marks after childbirth
By and large, the white curves of striae, as doctors and cosmetologists call this phenomenon, are nothing more than the most real wounds received by the female body during pregnancy, and which managed to heal without pain and blood.
The only difference is that an ordinary scar appears where the upper layer of the skin is damaged, and the stretch marks remaining on the abdomen after childbirth mark the places of rupture of the connective tissue hidden under the epidermis.
The main reason for their appearance is the growing belly, which rapidly increases in volume and stretches the skin. If the pressure becomes too strong, the fibers of the dermis break, laying marks on the body visible to the naked eye. Unfortunately, only 1-2 out of 10 women manage to avoid this scourge.
Reasons for the appearance of stretch marks after childbirth
Why do some young ladies by the end of pregnancy begin to look like a zebra in places, while others manage to give birth to a strong, weighty toddler, keeping their bodies offensively smooth? Your chances of being one of these lucky ones will significantly increase:
- Increased skin density. As a rule, naturally dark southern beauties are less likely to encounter the problem of stretch marks, since their skin is initially denser than that of pale northerners, but heredity is still the determining factor here. So remember how things are with stretch marks in the women of your family.
- Smooth weight gain. If during pregnancy you ate properly, but in moderation, and the added weight did not exceed 10-12 kg in total, there is a chance that the skin managed to stretch without tearing.
- Excellent health. The absence of chronic diseases, a good metabolism and the habit of leading a healthy lifestyle means that your skin is in excellent condition, which means that you are more likely to not have to wonder how to remove stretch marks after childbirth.
- Age from 20 to 30 years old … At this time, the tissues have greater elasticity, stretch more easily and sooner return to their normal state, and the body is maximally prepared for bearing a child.
- Good physical form. A reliable layer of well-developed abdominal muscles will "breastfeed" to protect the abdomen and sides and partially relieve the pressure exerted on them by the growing uterus.
- Singleton pregnancy … It is logical that twins, triplets or even one, but a large child take up more space in the mother's stomach and make her skin stretch almost to the limit.
Note! Even all of these factors, taken together, still do not guarantee protection against stretch marks. Hormonal changes too unpredictably affect the work of the body, and in addition, it reduces the rate of production of collagen and elastin necessary for elasticity. So neither age, nor healthy habits, nor diligent moisturizing of the body with specially selected creams will provide 100% protection from torn pale "scars".
How to get rid of stretch marks after childbirth?
If the treacherous striae have already chosen your body. It is too late to argue for what reason this happened, you need to look for countermeasures against the "aggressor". How realistic is this? Is it possible to get rid of stretch marks after childbirth? If the marks on the skin have not had time to fade and have a bright pink-purple color, there is still a chance to erase them without a trace. It is almost impossible to remove old, pronounced white striae on your own, but you can also conjure them over them to make them less noticeable. Just do not tune in to a quick result, you will have to work for at least 3-4 months!
Good nutrition and healthy habits
It would seem, what does the contents of your plate have to do with remedies for stretch marks after childbirth? The most direct!
For the restoration of body tissues to go in full swing, the cells need:
- vitamin A to stimulate regeneration processes;
- vitamin C to improve collagen and elastin synthesis;
- vitamin E - "rejuvenating apple" for the skin;
- vitamin B3 to improve the general condition of the integuments of the body and prevent the processes of pathological changes in tissues;
- zinc for active cell growth and the production of building proteins;
- Omega-3 and Omega-6 are polyunsaturated fatty acids for elasticity and youthfulness of the skin.
You can get them from lean meat, liver, fish, eggs, dairy products, legumes, mushrooms, vegetables, fruits, nuts, whole grain bread - that is, those products that are traditionally included in the concept of "healthy eating".
Note! During lactation, a lactating woman needs to build her diet in accordance with the needs of the child. It is best to do this after consulting your doctor.
In addition to the correct diet, reasonable physical activity, the habit of walking with the baby in the fresh air, refusal of unhealthy foods and sweets are useful. All this has a beneficial effect on the metabolism and helps to restore the skin. Of course, by themselves, these measures cannot remove the stretch marks on the hips and abdomen that appeared after childbirth, but they will significantly accelerate the action of other, more effective means.
Scrubs
Cosmetic blends with abrasive properties are useful in our case for two reasons: they exfoliate old dead cells and improve blood circulation in the treated areas, ensuring the supply of young cells with nutrients and oxygen. As a result, the processes of skin renewal go faster, which is what we need.
In the role of a "grinding machine" can act as a purchased product without chemical components in the composition, and a self-prepared scrub.
It is very simple to make it. Take 1-2 tbsp. l. a product with a granular structure: sugar, finely ground sea salt, ground oatmeal.
Mix with a foundation that will help distribute the abrasive particles evenly, and at the same time moisturize, nourish and soften the body. This could be:
- favorite shower gel;
- olive or other vegetable oil;
- fruit and vegetable puree;
- sour cream;
- honey.
Determine the proportions by eye, the main thing is that the scrub is convenient to use. A couple of times a week after a shower, apply the resulting mixture to problem areas, gently massage the skin for 1-2 minutes and rinse thoroughly, and then treat the body with cream or lotion.
Note! Breastfeeding women should not scrub their breasts. No matter how diligently you rinse the skin, the smallest particles of the mixture can remain on it and enter your baby's mouth. In addition, you should be careful with coffee peels. They are unlikely to be able to absorb into the blood and change the composition of breast milk, but they can leave behind an aroma that will excite the baby and interfere with his restful sleep.
How to deal with stretch marks after childbirth during lactation? Gently wipe your breasts with ice cubes made from pure water, wear a comfortable bra and wait for better times. In the meantime, do your stomach and hips.
Wraps
To nourish the skin with nutrients, make it fresher, tighter and more elastic, many women include a wrap in their personal care program. If the birth took place without complications, this procedure is allowed to be carried out already from 6-8 weeks, but just in case, devote a gynecologist to your plans. The heat bath, which is formed under the film during wrapping, is not shown to everyone.
Procedure:
- Steam your skin in the shower to open pores and speed up the absorption of nutrients.
- Apply a pre-prepared mask to stretch marks.
- Wrap the treated areas with plastic wrap.
- Warm up with a thick towel or blanket.
- Lie down for 30-40 minutes.
- Rinse everything off and moisturize your skin with lotion.
Natural and safe wrap mixes will be:
- vegetable oil heated in the microwave to a pleasant temperature for the skin and mixed with the contents of 1-2 capsules of AEvita;
- 1-2 g of mumiyo, dissolved in a spoonful of water and mixed with baby cream;
- cosmetic clay or Dead Sea mud diluted with moderately hot water;
- a bar of chocolate, which must first be melted in a few tablespoons of milk, and then cooled to an acceptable temperature (you can replace it with dry cocoa);
- slightly warmed honey;
- kelp, spirulina and other seaweed soaked in warm water.
Note! Badagi wraps are good for stretch marks, but they are too aggressive on the skin. Resort to their help no more than 1 time a month and use panthenol after the procedure to heal microdamages.
Paraffin wraps show good results. True, this material will require some skill:
- Melt the paraffin according to the instructions.
- Apply cream or cosmetic oil to your skin.
- Soak gauze in liquid paraffin and apply it to the treated skin area.
- Secure with a plastic bag and a warm towel.
- Once the paraffin has cooled, remove it.
Note! If a woman had to go through a cesarean section, all cosmetic procedures are postponed until the suture is completely healed.
Massage
The goal of this simple and pleasant action is still the same: to stir up the blood flow, spur metabolism, and accelerate the renewal of the skin.
On clean skin, apply any suitable cream or oil and rub it into the body with gentle circular motions. After 1-2 minutes, the pressure force can be slightly increased (without fanaticism!), Kneading the skin along with the muscles lying under it, and after another 5-6 minutes, finish the massage with gentle stroking.
It is allowed to start regular procedures 2 months after the mother returns home with the baby, if the birth was without complications, and only after consulting a doctor, if a cesarean was required or the woman was diagnosed with distasis (divergence of the abdominal muscles).
It is best to do a massage after the scrub so that the dead skin scales do not interfere with the active substances. And if you have a vacuum can or a vacuum roller massager at hand, things will go even better.
Creams and oils
As helpers in getting rid of stretch marks after childbirth, creams, emulsions, lotions, milk, oils and the like do not make a great impression - this is more a way of prevention than elimination of the problem. But it would be wrong to completely discard them. Remember, the more complete and varied your stretch marks program, the better your chances of winning.
Choose bottles, on the label of which in the section "composition" you can find:
- vitamins A and E;
- collagen;
- hyaluronic acid;
- natural alpha hydroxyl acids (ANA);
- vegetable oils;
- plant extracts.
Popular premium stretch mark remedies:
- Juliette armand … Moisturizes and tightens the skin, restores firmness and healthy color to it, reduces stretch marks, acting on them with a rich set of amino acids in combination with vitamin C, chamomile and aloe vera extracts and many other components. Manufacturer - Greece. Price - 2800 rubles. for 200 ml.
- Elancyl galenic … The developers of this cream, by the way, allowed for use during pregnancy, which speaks of its safety, relied on seaweed, safflower and almond oil, as well as a special restorative complex. The cream makes the skin smooth and soft, and stretch marks are invisible, has a pleasant aroma and is extremely economical to use. Manufacturer - France. The price of a tube with 150 ml of cream is 1600 rubles.
- Mustela maternity … The cream moisturizes, nourishes and softens the skin with fatty avocado and shea oils; fills it with the energy of Japanese sophora and larch; rejuvenates with vitamin E. Manufacturer - France. A 150 ml tube costs 1400 rubles.
Cream and oil for stretch marks after childbirth in the middle price category (up to 1200 rubles):
- Weleda … An impressive collection of oils, assembled by the company's professionals into a single mixture, is additionally supplied with vitamin complexes and extracts of plants. With regular use, the skin regains velvety, healthy color and firmness, and stretch marks gradually fade. Manufacturer - Germany. Price - about 1200 rubles. for 100 ml.
- Avent cream … Easy to apply, spreads evenly, absorbs quickly. Saturates the skin with seaweed minerals, nourishes and softens it thanks to vegetable oils, invigorates cells with citrus extracts. Manufacturer - Great Britain. Price - 900 rubles. for 150 ml.
- Vichy Action Anti-Stretch … This cream will retain moisture in your skin (thanks to glycerin), activate metabolic processes (long live thermal water), and stimulate collagen production (thanks to the amino acid hydroxyproline). And vegetable oils and vitamins will double the benefits. Manufacturer - France. Price - 750 rubles. for 200 ml.
Mass market cosmetics (up to RUB 500):
- Eco Cream Sanosan Mama … It achieves results thanks to its animal waxes, proteins, vegetable oils, vitamin E and plant extracts. The skin treated with the cream enhances collagen synthesis, retains moisture better, and receives plenty of nutrients. Manufacturer - Germany. Price - about 450 rubles. for 100 ml.
- 9 months … The cream is recommended to be used from the first months of pregnancy until the end of the lactation period. Shea butter allows the skin to remain elastic, wheat germ oil supplies it with vitamins and collagen, grapefruit ether tones up, vitamin PP protects against aggressive environmental agents, soy peptides maintain elasticity. Manufacturer - Russia. Price - from 350 rubles.
- Aromatics … The combination of fatty oils, among which grape seed and jojoba deserve special attention, together with an invigorating cocktail of essential oils of citrus and neroli makes the blood rush through the capillaries more actively, fills cells with healing compounds, moisturizes, softens, and gives elasticity. Manufacturer - Ukraine. Price - 150 rubles. for 100 ml.
Note! Purchased products can be replaced with natural cocoa, argan, olive and others.
A complex approach
How to get rid of stretch marks after childbirth as quickly and effectively as possible? Provide an integrated approach! Make a clear plan of cosmetic procedures, including all possible ways to affect stretch marks, and strictly adhere to it.
It is advisable that your beauty program includes:
- Rubbing problem areas with a hard washcloth.
- Daily contrast shower.
- Regular scrubbing (1-2 times a week).
- Wrap 1-2 times a week + monthly wrap with a badag, if you have not too sensitive skin.
- Massage problem areas manually or with a vacuum can 2-3 times a week.
- Daily treatment of stretch marks with cream.
- Proper nutrition.
- Active lifestyle.
Of course, a young mother, absorbed in caring for a child, will not be able to carry out the whole range of measures "from and to". Introduce them into your daily routine gradually, starting with the simplest. And the listed measures will be an excellent prevention, so that new stretch marks do not bloom on your body, which may well happen until you are back in shape.
Salon procedures
Is it always possible to remove stretch marks after childbirth, or are there situations in which you just have to put up with stretch marks? As a rule, an integrated approach justifies itself, but it also happens that all efforts do not bring satisfactory results, especially if the stretch marks are large, old or too densely located. In this case, only professional cosmetology can cope with them.
Make the skin smooth by strength:
- Diamond microdermabrasion, mechanically grinding imperfections with the smallest diamond grit;
- Chemical peeling that "burns" the top layer of the skin;
- Mesotherapy, which saturates tissues with nutritious cocktails through injections;
- Ozone therapy, in which atomic oxygen and an ozone mixture are injected under the skin to renew cells;
- Carboxytherapy - a technique based on the same principles, but using carbon dioxide to activate collagen synthesis;
- Bioreparation based on the introduction of hyaluronic acid, vitamins and amino acids under the skin;
- Darsonvalization, combating stretch marks with small currents of high frequency;
- Laser resurfacing, which "vaporizes" the top layer of the skin;
- Laser nanoperforation, contributing to a more pronounced and at the same time delicate renewal of the dermis;
- Fractional thermolysis, in which thermal types of lasers are used to remove damaged areas.
Note! You can start salon procedures only after the end of the lactation period and in agreement with your doctor.
The cost of the full course of treatment is calculated separately in each case, depending on the size and severity of stretch marks.
In exceptional cases, they resort to surgical excision of the affected areas of the skin along with its deep layers. The operation is performed under general anesthesia and leaves behind a scar, which is then smoothed out with a laser.
How to get rid of stretch marks after childbirth - watch the video:
As the proverb says, "Patience and work will grind everything." And although stretch marks tend to be fixed on our skin for a long time, they can and should be dealt with. Moreover, success in this difficult business largely depends on your perseverance, diligence and patience.
