How can I get rid of stretch marks?
You can't get rid of stretch marks completely, but they will fade with time. Stretch marks, or striae are caused when your skin needs to stretch rapidly over your enlarging body during pregnancy. The resulting scars are permanent and are most common on the abdomen, buttocks, thighs and breasts.
Massaging creams, oils, or lotions into the area won't make the marks disappear. However, using them will make your skin feel smoother and more supple. You don't need to use expensive creams or oils. Cocoa butter, or a good body cream, will do.
Over the months and years the lines will fade to fine streaks that are closer to your own skin colour. Try to be patient. You may not like the look of your stretch marks now, but they will seem a whole lot better in six months' time.
You could try doing exercises that work on the muscles in the areas of your body where you have stretch marks. Though it won't rid you of stretch marks, it will help to tone the area.
A combination of exercise and healthy eating may help you to feel better about your post-baby body.
Your doctor may be prepared to prescribe a cream derived from vitamin A, such as tretinoin (Retin-A). The cream shouldn't be used when you are pregnant or breastfeeding, because it may harm your baby. So it's important that you use effective contraception if you're using tretinoin.Many doctors prefer not to prescribe vitamin A-derived creams until you are sure that your family is complete.
You could have laser therapy while your marks are still at the red or purple stage, or in extreme cases, cosmetic surgery may be possible. Talk your doctor before opting for any type of laser therapy or cosmetic surgery. She may suggest other ways to help you to feel better about your body.
Reviewed by Dr Ashwini Nabar, BabyCenter India's expert obstetrician and gynaecologist.
यह लेख हिंदी में पढ़ें!
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Massaging creams, oils, or lotions into the area won't make the marks disappear. However, using them will make your skin feel smoother and more supple. You don't need to use expensive creams or oils. Cocoa butter, or a good body cream, will do.
Over the months and years the lines will fade to fine streaks that are closer to your own skin colour. Try to be patient. You may not like the look of your stretch marks now, but they will seem a whole lot better in six months' time.
You could try doing exercises that work on the muscles in the areas of your body where you have stretch marks. Though it won't rid you of stretch marks, it will help to tone the area.
A combination of exercise and healthy eating may help you to feel better about your post-baby body.
Your doctor may be prepared to prescribe a cream derived from vitamin A, such as tretinoin (Retin-A). The cream shouldn't be used when you are pregnant or breastfeeding, because it may harm your baby. So it's important that you use effective contraception if you're using tretinoin.Many doctors prefer not to prescribe vitamin A-derived creams until you are sure that your family is complete.
You could have laser therapy while your marks are still at the red or purple stage, or in extreme cases, cosmetic surgery may be possible. Talk your doctor before opting for any type of laser therapy or cosmetic surgery. She may suggest other ways to help you to feel better about your body.
Reviewed by Dr Ashwini Nabar, BabyCenter India's expert obstetrician and gynaecologist.
यह लेख हिंदी में पढ़ें!
Read more on:
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- Why is my skin so sensitive now that I am pregnant?
- 12 ways to get a pregnancy makeover
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