Postpartum Stretch Marks: How to Get Rid of Them?

Postpartum Stretch Marks: How to Get Rid of Them?

During your pregnancy, you pampered your skin with your favorite stretch mark cream for months. There’s no way you’re going to let it down now and have little streaks appear after giving birth. So what routine should you adopt to combat stretch marks after childbirth?

Stretch Marks, Who Are You? Stretch marks are due to a lack of skin elasticity as well as the hormonal changes in women. They manifest as small pink streaks that will fade over time. Unfortunately, we are not all equal in the face of this phenomenon, and we don’t all have the same genetic predisposition. Some pregnant women will not use any anti-stretch mark cream and won’t need to after giving birth, while others will spend nine months applying cream and still see them appear.

Favorite Spots for Stretch Marks Stretch marks have their habits and tend to settle on certain strategic areas of the body:

• On the belly
• On the buttocks
• On the breasts
• On the thighs

Stretch Marks, Colors, and Evolution Depending on their evolution and age on the skin, stretch marks do not always have the same color or appearance.

Purple Stretch Marks Stretch marks initially appear on the skin as pink or purple. They then turn red. This is called the inflammatory stage.

Red Stretch Marks Red stretch marks appear in pregnant women due to hormonal imbalances and weight gain. This is why it’s important, from the first weeks of pregnancy, to take care of your entire body with a stretch mark cream suitable for your skin's needs during this unique period in a woman's life.

When Do Stretch Marks Turn White? White stretch marks refer to mature stretch marks. They take on a pearly white color when they reach the healing stage. The skin actually begins to regenerate, and the streaks on the body gradually fade but do not completely disappear. They lighten and can leave marks. Generally, it takes about a year for stretch marks to reach this stage and acquire this white color.

But Why Postpartum Stretch Marks? “I was quite lucky during my pregnancy. Not a single stretch mark. But after giving birth, my thighs and breasts didn’t really appreciate the postpartum changes. I had taken care to protect my body and nourish it with a stretch mark cream. However, I lost weight fairly quickly, and my body didn't like that things were happening faster than expected. And when I stopped breastfeeding, my breasts lost volume, and the skin marked. Note to self: even after giving birth, never give up on anti-stretch mark care!”

Testimony from Béa, mother of Juliette, 9 months old.

And suddenly, out of nowhere, stretch marks appear on your body without warning after giving birth, just when you thought you were in the clear. Stretch marks can appear anywhere the skin is subjected to fluctuations. They can settle on the belly, of course, during pregnancy, but also on the chest, hips, and thighs. Breasts can swell during breastfeeding, leading to a loss of elasticity afterward. These streaks can therefore develop on the chest.

A significant weight loss can also lead to stretch marks appearing in different areas of the body after giving birth. This is why mothers are often advised to take it slow after childbirth if they wish to shed those bothersome pounds. The faster the weight loss, the more reactive the skin will be.

Choosing a Quality Stretch Mark Cream “When I was pregnant, I made sure to choose high-quality, very natural products suited to my condition. When you’re pregnant, it’s essential to prioritize the most natural products. I bought my pregnancy-compatible stretch mark cream, which I continued to use while breastfeeding. Morning and night, no exceptions for the stretch marks. I want to prevent them from becoming permanent. It’s crucial to maintain the ritual even after giving birth if you want to ensure they don’t settle in for good. And honestly, I really don’t want to resort to cosmetic medicine. I find that treatment much more constraining and way more expensive.”

Testimony from Nathalie, mother of Hugo, 6.5 months old.

Don’t panic; if stretch marks have just appeared and are still pink, you can help your skin absorb them by using an anti-stretch mark cream or oil on sensitive areas. Good hydration will help prevent loss of elasticity, and other natural active ingredients can stimulate collagen production to accelerate skin repair. This is particularly true for rosehip oil and shea butter.

Shea Butter: A Miracle Ingredient Against Stretch Marks Stretch mark creams containing shea butter are known to be effective. They help prevent and reduce the appearance of stretch marks during and after pregnancy.

This vegetable butter contains excellent fatty acids, essential for nourishing the skin. Shea butter is particularly rich in oleic acid, an omega-9 that helps maintain the firmness and suppleness of the skin. It also soothes the driest skin by providing protection and hydration. Oleic acid is an exceptional fatty acid and is a valuable ally for repairing and helping damaged skin to heal.

Rich in vitamin A, shea butter also contributes to increasing skin elasticity. By regularly applying a stretch mark cream to areas prone to streaks, shea butter will help soften the skin, allowing it to better adapt to weight gain, especially if you are pregnant.

I Have Sensitive Skin; Can I Use a Shea Butter-Based Anti-Stretch Mark Cream? “Before I got pregnant, I already had very sensitive and reactive skin. My skin is thin and marks easily. I have to be careful about the products I use daily because some of them can have the opposite effect on me. So during and after pregnancy, I needed reassurance about the products to incorporate into my anti-stretch mark routine. Honestly, using products made with shea butter, I don’t think I could have found anything more effective.”

Testimony from Olivia, mother of Luc, 10 months old.

Choosing a stretch mark cream should be done thoughtfully, especially if you have sensitive skin. Pregnant women will be even more aware of this. Thus, choose a pregnancy-compatible cream to ensure it’s suitable for your condition. Always opt for a product made with natural ingredients and dermatologically tested.

What About Cosmetic Surgery in Addition to an Anti-Stretch Mark Cream? It is also possible, after childbirth, to resort to aesthetic medicine with laser sessions or microdermabrasion. The most commonly used technique is vascular laser treatment for targeted areas. Multiple sessions are often required to achieve the desired results, usually 5 to 10 sessions with an expert practitioner.

Depending on your needs and skin type, the following may also be suggested:

• Ablative Fractional Laser: This method is quite aggressive for the skin, so caution is advised. This technique destroys tissue to force the skin to regenerate. This type of treatment is often reserved for thicker skin with white stretch marks that have been present for a long time.

• Non-Ablative Fractional Laser: This non-invasive method involves heating the dermis while cooling the epidermis. The goal is to stimulate the natural production of collagen and elastin. The non-ablative fractional laser is mainly used on exposed areas where the skin is thinner.

However, it is strongly recommended to consult a healthcare professional to assess the stretch marks and choose the best technique to eliminate them.

Stretch Mark Creams for Pregnancy and Postpartum: A Good Match with a Balanced Diet Because a stretch mark cream cannot do everything, certain dietary habits can help reinforce its effectiveness.

Choosing the Right Diet to Pamper Your Body Post-Pregnancy Diet plays an important role in preventing stretch marks. Therefore, it’s crucial to prioritize certain foods over others. For instance, emphasize fruits, vegetables, and all seeds rich in vitamin E. Incorporate them liberally into lunch salads and morning porridge for snacks (flaxseed, chia seeds, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds).

Also, prioritize water-rich foods that hydrate the skin from the inside: cucumber, radishes, tomatoes, melon, strawberries, zucchini, celery… Cook these without moderation after childbirth to combat the onset of stretch marks.

Vitamin C and copper are particularly important in an anti-stretch mark diet. They stimulate the production of new collagen and improve already formed collagen. To boost your intake, enjoy citrus fruits and legumes, which are very rich in vitamin C. So, go for oranges at breakfast and Sunday brunch! For lunches and dinners, think of lentils, broad beans, split peas, and chickpeas to accompany your meals.

As for silicon? It’s essential to your anti-stretch mark diet. This trace element regenerates collagen and elastin fibers in tissues. This helps combat skin sagging and protects against the harmful effects of free radicals on the body. Silicon can be found in rice, wheat, barley, bran, oats, spelt, and buckwheat.

Hydration Against Stretch Marks Your water bottle should always be by your side. Just like when you were pregnant, you need to hydrate regularly, especially if you’re breastfeeding. Your body actually requires more hydration to support lactation. Aim for 1.5 to 2 liters a day.

To hydrate, you can include herbal infusions and teas in your drinks. Those made with fennel and anise provide a delightful aroma to your beverages. These plants particularly help breastfeeding mothers support lactation.

How Does Self-Massage Work to Reduce Stretch Marks? Self-massage, in addition to helping you combat visible stretch marks, will have a positive effect on your mood and serenity. Perfect for relaxing, soothing your skin, and focusing solely on yourself for a few minutes.

For this massage, you need a quality anti-stretch mark cream. Use your pregnancy and breastfeeding-compatible stretch mark cream that you chose during pregnancy. It will be just as effective in the postpartum period.

What Movements Are Effective? Just three simple and quick movements performed on your skin can help your body regain soft, smooth skin. Here are three movements to practice daily.

Let’s Move! If you’re feeling fit, and your healthcare professional gives you the go-ahead, you can gently resume exercise after childbirth. Of course, start your first sessions after your pelvic floor rehabilitation. Choose a gentle activity that you enjoy. You need to get your body moving without rushing it. What’s certain is that movement helps tone muscles and firm up the skin. Perfect for combating stretch marks in conjunction with daily care and a suitable diet. Swimming, Pilates, and walks (which is convenient since the baby wants to go out) are good practices for getting back into sports.

Everyday Gestures to Avoid When trying to prevent the appearance of stretch marks or reduce existing ones, it’s essential to evaluate your daily habits.

Stretch Marks and Hot Baths: Beware! Hot water promotes skin laxity. It’s best to avoid high temperatures. Prefer invigorating showers with a quick burst of cold water before leaving the bathroom. This cold spray will help revitalize tissues and stimulate blood circulation.

Watch Out for the Sun! We love the sun, but we need to be cautious. Responsible for accelerating skin aging and, therefore, tissue laxity, it’s not the best friend of stretch marks. Why? Because lax skin equals a lack of elasticity. The result? This directly impacts the appearance of stretch marks. Likewise, UVA and UVB rays can alter the color of these little streaks.

If you want to enjoy a sunny outing, don’t go without your high-SPF sunscreen. Also, avoid sun exposure as much as possible if you’re pregnant, especially during the hottest hours, from noon to 4 PM.