How to Get Rid of Stretch Marks From Pregnancy

January 4th, 2009 by Jie Gamotin

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Pregnancy is one of the most important highlights of any woman's life. For a woman, becoming pregnant is almost a holy rite; after all, you are bringing a life into this world. Such a miracle can only be done by a woman, and it is one of the things that makes them special. If lives of fathers can be changed by just holding their firstborn baby in their arms, imagine having to birth out that baby through your blood, sweat and tears and then holding her or him in the afterglow. The pain and tears are more than worth it. Before all that, however, are the many things you have to go through during the course of your nine-month pregnancy. Things like changing moods, weight gain, and feelings of lethargy and dizziness are all common symptoms of being pregnant. As the months pass, your belly will grow large as the baby inside it continues to develop. The change often triggers more symptoms of pregnancy and results to some other permanent marks: what is now commonly known as stretch marks. Also read our how to get rid of stretch marks article.

Mark of a Mother

Stretch marks in pregnancy happen the same way they do in other cases, such as during adolescent growth spurts or rapid weight gain. In such a case, pregnancy causes the skin, particularly the belly, to stretch in size. When the elastic limit of the skin is reached and breached, the inner part of the skin, the dermis, tears and the resulting scar is what you see as the stretch marks. The same thing happens whenever there is a dermis tear in other parts of your body. For pregnancy, however, there is a second factor that contributes to the formation of stretch marks, although this is highly debated among experts. According to some, this involves the priming of the skin due to the increased hormones that happen during pregnancy. These hormones attract more water to the skin (hence why pregnant women always feel bloated) thereby relaxing the bond between collagen fibers. It will then be easier for the skin to tear when it is stretched, leading to stretch marks. Usually, stretch marks form during the later trimester of pregnancy, which is usually on the sixth or seventh month, although some moms already notice them the moment their bellies start to grow. The marks will depend on the complexion of the skin; if you're light-skinned, the stretch marks are pinkish in color, whereas darker-skinned women will have marks that are lighter than the surrounding skin. In pregnancy, the marks usually appear on the abdomen although it is also common to get them in the breasts, thighs, lower back, the hips, and the buttocks; essentially, they appear in places where extra fats are stored.

Removing Stretch Marks From Pregnancy

Unfortunately, stretch marks from pregnancy cannot be removed totally, just like stretch marks borne from other causes; once you have them, they're there for life. You can, however, try and lessen their visibility so they won't be as obvious. There are many ways to do this.

Sun tanning. Tanning under the sun may help make the marks less visible and maybe even cover up the small ones. Just be sure that you use a sunscreen while doing so, or you'll get something far more serious than stretch marks, like skin cancer.
Lotions and creams. There are topical creams and lotions that can allegedly remove your stretch marks. The more popular ones include creams that contain Vitamin E and cocoa butter. Cocoa butter, in particular, is said to be very effective since it penetrates the layers of skin and goes to the dermis, where the scarring is. For more effective results, it is recommended that these creams and lotions be applied during the early phases of a stretch mark. However, if you're still pregnant when it happens, always consult your doctor first before using any of them; they could be harmful to the baby.
Exfoliation. Exfoliation is done by a machine that combines a gentle suction feeling with rollers that are moved across the skin where the stretch marks are. While it does not remove the marks themselves, it does improve the appearance of your skin, giving it a far smoother look so the stretch marks are less of an eyesore. Exfoliation should be safe even if you're pregnant but just to make sure, consult an expert first.

There are also cosmetic ways to treat stretch marks but they have to be done after pregnancy. These include:

Microdermabrasion. Microdermabrasion involves the removal of dead cells in the outermost layer of the skin. The plan is to encourage the growth of new skin cells so the stretch marks will become less visible. The procedure is relatively painless and does not need any anesthetic.
Laser surgery. Touted as the most effective in lessening the appearance of stretch marks, laser surgery involves the use of a concentrated beam of laser in order to remove extraordinarily thin layers of skin, removing the scars in the process. The newer the stretch marks, the easier it is to remove them to diminish their appearance.
Abdominoplasty. Abdominoplasty is a surgical procedure that removes the stretch marks on the abdomen, such as those from pregnancy. Other marks, however, are better off removed through other procedures.
Chemical peel. In a chemical peel treatment, a chemical solution is applied to the skin that causes it to blister and peel off, leaving behind a layer of skin that is smoother and has a more even surface and color. While it can be done at home via chemical peel kits, it is more advisable that it be done by a professional.

The above methods also work for stretch marks caused by other factors, not just pregnancy. It is recommended that they be performed after you have given birth to your baby so as not to put him or her in danger. However, most women just prefer to sport the marks as a medal of sorts that they have undergone one of women's--and life's--most wonderful function: pregnancy. * Before you start thinking about stretchmarks, you must first think about your own health, especially while you still have the baby in your womb. Believe it or not, pregnant women are advised to exercise, to strengthen their bodies for labor. Learn how to do pregnancy exercises the right way. Monster Guide teaches you how to exercise while pregnant Get rid of your stretch marks from pregnancy using Revitol Stretch Mark Solution.

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