Question: Can I do anything to get rid of -- or at least lighten -- bad stretch marks?
Answer:
Stretch marks (also called striae gravidarum) are scars caused by
damage to the elastic fibers that help skin to stretch. About half of
all expectant women get them (although they're much less common among
women with dark skin) and they show up most often on the abdomen during
the second half of pregnancy as it enlarges to accommodate a growing
baby. Some women also get them on the hips, breasts, and buttocks.
Whether you get them or not is primarily a matter of genetics - that is, how elastic your skin is.
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Although women who have twins, large babies, or a very big weight gain
in pregnancy are more likely to get more stretch marks, a woman with a
large weight gain and a big baby might be lucky and get no stretch
marks at all, while another woman with a small baby might get a lot of
them.
Depending
on your skin color, stretch marks start out as pink, reddish brown,
brown, or very dark brown streaks. Many women use various types of
creams, lotions, and oils to try to prevent them from forming.
Unfortunately, although such products soothe and soften the skin, there
are almost no good studies showing they prevent stretch marks or even
make them less severe. Given the lack of good controlled clinical
trials proving the effectiveness of various creams and oils, beware of
advertisers trying to sell you expensive products claiming that they
prevent stretch marks! In any case, after pregnancy, the reddish or
brown pigmentation in the stretch marks gradually fades, and the
streaks become lighter than the surrounding skin.
As
for improving the cosmetic appearance of stretch marks postpartum, a
few studies have shown some effect by applying 0.1 percent tretinoin
cream (commonly known by the trade name Retin-A) to them. In one study,
using this cream reduced the length of the stretch marks by 14 percent
and the width by 8 percent. In another study, it decreased the length
by 20 percent. Tretinoin cream is most effective if you apply it
relatively soon after delivery, while the marks still have their darker
pigmentation. However, you should avoid using it while you're
breastfeeding since there are no good data on the absorption of
topically applied Retin-A, its excretion in human milk, and effect on a
breastfed infant. (And you definitely can't use it during pregnancy.)
Laser
therapy is another option if you're looking to improve the appearance
of stretch marks postpartum. According to the American Society for
Dermatologic Surgery, a surgeon will use different types of lasers
depending on the color of the stretch marks. One type reduces the color
of dark stretch marks and another stimulates the production of
pigment-making cells in already faded stretch marks. An even newer type
of laser therapy can also be used to stimulate the production of
collagen and help restore the skin's elasticity in depressed stretch
marks.
Realize that stretch marks in no way
compromise your health or your body's ability to function, and that
they will gradually become much less noticeable as the pigmentation
begins to fade. But if the cosmetic appearance of your stretch marks
upsets you, consider making an appointment with a dermatologist after
pregnancy to discuss treatment. Bear in mind that you'll have to pay
for these treatments out of your own pocket. Most, if not all, health
insurance plans consider them elective cosmetic procedures and won't
cover them.
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