Methods to Help you Reduce the Appearance of Stretch Marks After Pregnancy

Stretch marks have become a badge of honour, showing the incredible journey women’s body endures during pregnancy. They develop as the skin stretches quickly, which is why they’re so common during pregnancy. 

They are almost inevitable, with 90% of women experiencing stretch marks by their third trimester. It’s normal for stretch marks to fade on their own after the baby is born, but technically these beautiful badges are scars. 

And even though you can’t get rid of scars completely, there are different methods to help reduce their appearance. Here are four ways Clear Skincare clinics recommend to help you reduce stretch marks after pregnancy and get back to feeling confident in your skin.

Micro needling

Micro or Skin needling is a method that can help reduce fine lines, wrinkles and scars. Tiny needles are rolled across the skin to create micro channels, stimulating the natural healing response in your body to produce collagen and elastin, stimulating cell turnover and rebuilding skin, which helps fill indented scars naturally. Micro needling treatments also increase the absorption of creams and serums into the skin to maximise their effectiveness. The result is skin that looks and feels firmer, smoother and brighter. Now you’re likely not running to the spa after giving birth, but fortunately, Clear Skincare clinics have a reusable at-home micro-needling roller that makes it easy to start reducing the appearance of scars.

Creams and topical gels

A great way to help reduce the appearance of stretch marks is with the help of creams, serums and topical gels. Cocoa butter and vitamin E are cult favourites both during and after pregnancy. They’re safe to use during pregnancy and can help keep your skin moisturised to help with itchiness. Another effective topical serum is hyaluronic acid, with research suggesting that applying it to early stretch marks can help make them less noticeable. Clear Skincare clinics also recommend their Copper Peptide Serum. It delivers powerful collagen stimulation to help soothe, repair and regenerate the skin. When used with their at-home micro-needling roller, it can help improve the skin’s elasticity and plumpness, reducing the appearance of fine lines and stretch marks. 

Chemical Peels

Chemical peels are a type of skin treatment used to exfoliate the skin. Glycolic acid peels are the most popular and can help treat several skin conditions when done professionally. Glycolic acid peels help to stimulate collagen production in the skin. Research suggests that they can help reduce the appearance of stretch marks effectively. For this procedure, it’s best to wait until after breastfeeding as the chemicals used haven’t been proven safe for the baby.

Microdermabrasion

Microdermabrasion deeply exfoliates the upper layer of the skin and stimulates blood flow, increasing collagen and elastin fibres, improving skin tone and texture. The painless procedure helps reduce the appearance of white stretch marks. The treatment can help clear skin congestion, refine open pores and improve overall texture while encouraging your skin to renew itself for healthy regeneration. While the treatment doesn’t involve any chemicals or intense heat, it’s best used after the pregnancy as your skin can be quite sensitive during the nine months.

The bottom line

Everyone’s body heals differently after having a baby, and it’s important to be patient. But the best time to treat stretch marks is while they’re still pink. Once they’re white, it becomes harder to reduce their appearance. Deciding on what treatment will depend on the severity of the stretch marks, but if you’re unsure, it’s best to chat with a professional. You can find Clear Skincare clinics line of products for stretch marks online.