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Best Ways to Treat Pregnancy Stretch Marks: During and After

Best Ways to Treat Pregnancy Stretch Marks: During and After

Stretch marks in pregnancy are one of the most common cosmetic concerns among child-bearing women. Up to 80% of pregnant women develop stretch marks in the sixth or seventh month.

stretch marks on the bodyFor mothers, the joy that a new baby brings cannot be eclipsed by anything–not even by falling hair and gaining 10 stones–but it’s not wrong to still want to look your best post-pregnancy.

Learn what causes stretch marks during and after pregnancy, how to prevent them, and what to do if you already have them.

Stretch marks in pregnancy: what they are and how to prevent them?

Stretch marks, also known as striae, are narrow bands of red, purple, brown, or pinkish scars in the dermal layer of the skin. That’s right — stretch marks are actually scars, but not from an actual wound.

pregnancy stretch marksAs you put on weight and your belly grows to accommodate the baby, your skin stretches considerably, causing collagen and elastin to break. These proteins and fibers are important support structures of the skin; they keep our skin firm, supple, and bouncy. Ruptured elastic fibers produce scars and stretch marks are formed when they heal.

Stretch marks are not harmful to your health. They gradually fade in time after your baby is born. They may become less noticeable. However, the severity of the marks differ from person to person, and in most cases, they don’t go away completely.

You may develop stretch marks during:

  • Pregnancy
  • Puberty (growth spurt)
  • Sudden weight gain or loss
  • Rapid muscle growth (bodybuilding)

Why some people develop stretch marks, and others don’t?

It’s true that not everyone develops these dermal scars, but there’s no definitive reason why some people are at higher risk than others. So far, it has been found that they run in families.

pregnant woman with stretch marksSome experts suggest that fluctuating hormones are to blame. Hormones that rise during pregnancy weaken skin fibers, making them prone to breakage. Those with high cortisol (a type of hormone) levels in the blood may also get stretch marks.

How to prevent stretch marks in pregnancy?

Preventing stretch marks is cheaper than finding an effective treatment, but there’s no guarantee that any of the available methods will work for you. The idea behind effective prevention is to keep your skin healthy and hydrated so it can withstand the abrupt changes during pregnancy.

1. Moisturize your skin

Even the most heavily marketed creams and serums are not really that effective in treating stretch marks.

But a good hydrating cream with hyaluronic acid, Vitamin E, or AHA (alpha hydroxy acid) can keep your skin healthy and reduce the effects of skin fiber damage.

stretch marks on stomachGently massage these creams on your skin every day to stimulate blood circulation, as this promotes the removal of wastes and free radicals.

Increased blood flow also helps nourish the skin by facilitating the transport of nutrients within skin cells.

2. Moisturize your skin

Your skin also needs certain vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants to keep it healthy. You need nutrients that encourage skin growth and strengthens your body’s defense system.

Eat lots of fruits and vegetables that are high in Vitamin C, A, and E. Incorporate whole grains and lean proteins in your diet for a more balanced meal.

The importance of a healthy diet is not only to satisfy nutritional requirements but to keep your weight in check since rapid weight gain causes the skin to overstretch.

3. Don’t skip your workout

stretch marks oilYou can still exercise while you are pregnant, as long as you do it with caution. Avoid exercises where falling is likely. Strenuous activities like contact sports are also a big no-no! Walking, swimming, and doing moderate-intensity exercise are recommended during pregnancy.

Exercise improves blood circulation, which helps keep your skin healthy and elastic to withstand the changes in pregnancy. Make sure to consult your medical provider before engaging in a workout routine.

Treating stretch marks after pregnancy

Stretch marks are easier to treat when they are new. Once they have matured, they would require dermatological procedures or even surgery. There are various products available to get rid of stretch marks, but they have not been proven to be effective.

Most of the time, you need a combination of different products to experience slightly favorable outcomes.

Right now, the only effective treatments for stretch marks are in-office procedures performed by licensed medical professionals and plastic surgeons.

Laser Treatment

Ablative and non-ablative laser therapies are being utilized to reduce the appearance of stretch marks. Laser therapies are less invasive than surgery and have minimal downtime.

tightens the stretch marks with handsLight-based treatments work by destroying the outer layer of the skin and stimulating collagen regeneration.

In return, your body speeds up skin growth and repair, revealing fresh skin tissues that are stronger and smoother in texture. You may experience bruising and redness after the treatment, but these usually resolve within 3-4 days.

Dermaroller Stretch marks Removal

Dermarolling or micro-needling is a popular treatment for skin rejuvenation and works best for scars, stretch marks, and other signs of skin aging. While dermaroller can’t get rid of stretch marks completely, it can significantly reduce the unsightly appearance of raised, reddish or silvery streaks of dermal scars.

You may need several sessions for optimal results, depending on the age and severity of your stretch marks.

Again, new stretch marks (the red or purplish ones) are easier to treat because they still have functioning blood vessels in them so its easier to stimulate collagen production.

Microdermabrasion Skin Resurfacing

Microdermabrasion is another non-invasive procedure that has been found to reduce the appearance of striae. Its mode of action involves the removal of the skin’s top layer to facilitate cellular turnover.

Microdermabrasion does not affect the layer beneath the epidermis so it cannot remove stretch marks completely. However, it can alter the outer layer of the skin, masking the appearance of stretch marks until they become less noticeable.

Whether you have new or older stretch marks, there are various non-invasive treatments that can reduce the appearance of these scars.

You should manage your expectations when looking for an effective non-surgical treatment. Most procedures require several sessions to be effective and the outcome depends on your body’s natural healing ability.

What are the Main Differences Between IPL and Laser Hair Removal

What are the Main Differences Between IPL and Laser Hair Removal

As different types of laser hair removal technologies become available to consumers, misconceptions often arise. For instance, IPL (intense pulsed light) is often mistaken as a type of laser, while some people think they can be used interchangeably.

ipl vs. laser hair revomal

Let’s debunk the myths between these two light-based procedures before you proceed with a laser hair removal consultation in London.

What’s the best hair removal technology?

IPL and laser both use light energy to heat up and destroy their targets (photothermolysis). How does it affect hair growth? The dark pigments of the hair called melanin absorb this light energy, which eventually heats up hair follicles and causes enough damage to slow down or prevent regrowth.

Hair removal London

The best laser hair treatment for growth reduction depends on your needs and budget, as well as your skin and hair colour. You need to understand the principles behind these methods so you can make an informed decision on whether to choose IPL or laser for permanent hair removal.

IPL and Laser: Main Differences, Methods, Risks, and Results

Both laser and IPL are light-assisted technologies used to perform various cosmetic and medical treatments. However, IPL is not a laser.

In London, premier laser clinics may use both technologies to satisfy different aesthetic needs. It’s important to know the difference because some clinics would use IPL instead of a laser and advertise it as a laser hair removal treatment.

Understanding laser hair removal

Light is an electromagnetic radiation that we encounter in different ways. The light emitted by fluorescent tubes and other conventional light sources are called ‘incoherent light’ while the light produced by lasers is coherent and monochromatic, which means it has only one wavelength or colour.

Difference betweeen laser hair removal and IPL

The main difference between IPL and lasers is the properties of their light sources. Similar to a light bulb, IPL uses a broad-spectrum, visible light, while laser devices use a single spectrum of concentrated light in one colour and wavelength.

This small difference has a significant impact on hair removal. Lasers can be controlled or focused into a small area without affecting the surrounding skin. Because the light energy doesn’t spread out, it can travel deeper into the follicles.

Advantages

The major benefit of laser hair treatment is it can provide permanent hair removal after only a few sessions. While it creates more heat that directly targets hair follicles, it spares the surrounding skin and tissues. There is less risk for side effects such as burns, blistering, and hyperpigmentation.

Laser hair removal technologies are also safer for those with darker skin tones.

Dark skin colours absorb more heat, so they can benefit more from concentrated and focused light energy than the dispersed light from IPL, which can heat up skin structures around the hair follicles, resulting in increased risk for burns and other adverse reactions.

Disadvantages

laser hair removal before and after

The higher price point is the only significant disadvantage of laser hair removal. It can be more expensive than IPL. However, since it is more precise and therefore, more effective, it requires fewer sessions to achieve smooth and hairless skin, which can be cost-effective in the long run.

Understanding intense pulsed light (IPL) hair removal

IPL was traditionally utilised to treat vascular lesions, hyperpigmentations, and other skin conditions. Its hair reduction potential was only realised when treated patients experienced hair loss as a side effect.

In contrast with the concentrated yet powerful wavelength released by lasers, IPL emits light over a wide wavelength range. A single light exposure from IPL activates all major chromophores (pigment) of the skin: melanin, hemoglobin, and water.

If you have light skin and dark hair, your hair contains more melanin and can better absorb the light energy without damaging the skin. However, if you have darker skin, more heat is absorbed by the skin before it penetrates the hair follicles. This can lead to sunburn and long-lasting.

Advantages

IPL and laser hair removal London

IPL hair removal devices can cover large areas because their wide-spectrum light naturally spreads out. It also means they can be used to treat other skin conditions efficiently. It’s treatment time is quicker and generally costs less than a laser procedure.

Disadvantages

The benefit of broad-spectrum light energy can also serve as a disadvantage. IPL is less effective for localised treatment because heat scatters to the surrounding skin before they are absorbed where they are needed.

ipl laser hair removal

Individuals with darker skin or olive skin tone may experience more side effects with this hair removal system; although newer technologies are being developed to address such concern.

Moreover, IPL is a less effective technology for removing unwanted hair. It is best to consider this as a hair reduction procedure than a hair removal treatment to prevent unrealistic expectations.

In a nutshell:

An ideal hair removal procedure must be safe and highly effective for all skin types. It should be precise and only targets hair follicles to keep the surrounding skin unharmed. With that being said, laser hair removal is more effective than IPL, but the latter has its own benefits.

IPL releases scattered light energy so it takes less time to treat large areas. However, it requires more sessions for significant hair reduction. And in some cases, it still won’t leave you completely hairless.