How to remove STRETCH STRETCHES on the stomach after childbirth at home: EFFECTIVE methods

To understand how to remove stretch marks on the stomach after childbirth at home, you need to know something about this problem. Childbirth is not only happiness for every woman, but also a source of severe stress for the body.

The body is intensively reconstructed, changing for new living conditions, so a woman has to make a lot of effort to feel comfortable. One of the common consequences of childbirth is stretch marks. We'll tell you how to quickly get rid of them without leaving your home!

What are stretch marks (striae)

After giving birth, you want to get back into shape as quickly as possible. Losing weight with a diet required for breastfeeding, sleepless nights and troubles for a young mother is not difficult. But when the kilograms go away, skin problems often remain.

Is it possible to carry and give birth to a child without getting stretch marks on the stomach and hips? Is it possible to remove stretch marks after childbirth without surgery? Do creams, wraps and home remedies work or are they a scam for gullible women? Without exaggeration, almost everyone has stretch marks, but only a few know how to deal with this problem.

Stretch marks are a defect that resembles cracks in the skin. At first they are dark, burgundy, like fresh scars, and then they acquire a shade slightly lighter than the natural color of the body. After tanning, they become more noticeable, since ultraviolet radiation does not affect them, and the contrast with dark skin increases.

Stretch marks after childbirth, as in the photo, appear due to rapid weight gain : the skin does not have time to grow, stretches and forms a network of tears.
Then they are filled with connective tissue, as in the case of scars, scarring occurs. The surface of the body in that place remains slightly uneven and differs in color. Risk areas are the abdomen, thighs, buttocks and chest.

Proper diet and vitamin intake

A balanced diet will help remove stretch marks on the abdomen after childbirth, especially protein foods. After all, collagen and elastin, which provide skin elasticity, are proteins, and they must be supplied with food in sufficient quantities.

Vitamin E is especially important during pregnancy and after childbirth; it makes the stretching of the abdomen reversible, without the formation of micro-tears, so after childbirth there are no stretch marks left on the abdomen, or they are minimized. The diet should have enough vitamins A, C, B3 and zinc.

It is important to consume enough fluid. Dehydration is one of the skin's worst enemies.

Causes

The unaesthetic appearance of stretch marks brings a lot of grief to a woman, especially in the summer.
Stretch marks appeared on the stomach after childbirth. Why did this happen? There are three natural causes, and none of them indicate that the woman has neglected herself, or is in any way to blame for the appearance of breaks in the skin.

This is normal and one of the many changes caused by pregnancy and childbirth.

During pregnancy, the body's hormonal levels change , in particular, the secretion of cortisol increases. Under the influence of this hormone, in particular, the connective tissue of the pubic bones softens, which makes the birth of a baby possible. The flip side of the coin is that increased levels of cortisol, as well as estrogen and progesterone, lead to decreased production of collagen and elastin. Thus, hormones negatively affect the elasticity and strength of the skin, which facilitates the appearance of stretch marks.
At a certain stage of pregnancy, the belly begins to grow rapidly and the skin simply does not have time to generate new cells so quickly. The upper layers of the epidermis stretch as much as possible, and when they reach their natural limit, they break. Stretch marks on the chest after childbirth, as well as on the stomach, indicate that these parts of the body were rapidly changing and growing.
The third reason also cannot be eliminated, like the first two - this is a hereditary predisposition. If a pregnant woman’s mother and grandmothers had stretch marks, she will probably have them too . This is not a reason to get upset and give up: knowing about the prospects thanks to the experience of previous generations, you should take measures in advance and start preventing stretch marks as early as possible.

Expert opinion

Cosmetologist
Surgeon

Michelle Ellern

practicing cosmetologist-dermatologist

Over time, stretch marks can become lighter. If they are very noticeable, they will not be able to disappear completely. Therefore, you should not expect a miracle. To do this, I recommend making a variety of masks and trying some kind of cometological procedure. For example, excellent results can be achieved through laser removal of stretch marks. But sports alone are unlikely to eliminate this defect. Many new mothers hit the gym hard, hoping that their stretch marks will disappear. But this is simply impossible.

Theda Contis

plastic surgeon

Undoubtedly, home methods are beneficial. But they are unlikely to be able to completely remove very noticeable stretch marks. That is why it is better to immediately go to a cosmetologist. If there is also severe sagging of the skin, then only plastic surgery will help. No amount of masks or exercises can tighten sagging skin.

Each woman independently decides how to cope with the problem that arises after childbirth. The main thing is that this does not subsequently lead to deterioration of health.

It is advisable not to delay taking decisive action and begin eliminating defects immediately, then there is a high probability of stretch marks disappearing without a trace.

How to remove stretch marks

Will stretch marks go away after childbirth? Striae by themselves do not disappear or decrease over the years. Non-surgical treatment methods to one degree or another reduce the external manifestations of this defect, and with long-term therapy can significantly improve the situation. But stretch marks can only be completely removed through surgery. As for preventive measures, they are much more effective than treatment and have a positive effect on skin tone.

If stretch marks have already appeared, the fight against them will be most effective at an early stage, when the breaks are still fresh, purple or burgundy. After the stretch marks turn white, they can be removed without a trace only with a laser.

Is it possible to get rid of stretch marks after childbirth? Definitely yes. However, you will have to be patient: only surgery gives instant results. And manufacturers who write on cosmetics that they will give a noticeable effect after 1-2 months are shamelessly deceiving customers.

Massage

Massage is one of the main means of getting rid of stretch marks after pregnancy. It helps improve blood circulation and speed up metabolism. It is very important not to put too much pressure on the skin; excessive stretching can lead to the appearance of new intradermal tears.

Almond, rosemary and eucalyptus oils are used for massage. You can also use creams containing vitamin E. You should pour a little of the product into your palms and in a circular motion, with slight pressure, run your hands over the stomach. After 5 minutes, you can move on from stroking to rubbing; active action on the skin should be carried out for at least 10 minutes. And for another 6-8 minutes, stroke the stomach with light massaging movements.

Important! Before starting a massage session, it is recommended to use a scrub that will remove dead particles.

Fight on your own

The means for combating and preventing stretch marks are the same. Therefore, the information below will be useful both to women in the early stages of pregnancy, whose bodies have just begun to change, and to those who have recently given birth and discovered unsightly marks on their skin.

The sooner measures are taken, the more noticeable results can be achieved, but even late in this case is better than never. Many mothers are interested in which contraceptive drugs Lactinet or Charozetta are better when breastfeeding? Such remedies for unwanted pregnancy can seriously affect hormonal levels. We provide answers to such questions in the article at the link.

Underwear to prevent skin stretch marks

Special underwear, as well as a belt during pregnancy, will help to avoid or minimize stretching of the skin.
From about the third month, pregnancy becomes more and more noticeable externally: first of all, the belly grows, along with it the hips become rounded and the breasts become enlarged. At this time, it is advisable to start wearing special underwear .

Pregnant women often complain of discomfort associated with wearing a bra, because the breasts not only enlarge, but also become more sensitive. However, it definitely needs support and fixation to prevent stretch marks or at least reduce them to a minimum.

A maternity bandage helps a lot in preventing stretch marks - it supports the stomach and reduces stress on the skin. It will also be useful in the first time after childbirth, when the body is under stress and the appearance of stretch marks is most likely.

Sport

Moderate physical activity, agreed with your doctor, is necessary after childbirth. In particular, light exercises help keep the skin toned and improve blood circulation, and these are prerequisites for preventing stretch marks. You can slowly return to sports 2-3 months after giving birth.

Massage

Daily massage helps in the fight against stretch marks: it restores skin elasticity and accelerates regeneration by activating blood circulation. For the procedure, you can use stretch mark cream after childbirth or olive oil.

Particular attention should be paid to areas where there are already stretch marks - the stomach, thighs, and thighs. The massage technique is simple: alternating intense stroking movements and gentle tingling. All movements should be made towards the heart.

Rubbing with a hard terry towel serves as a light massage. Special brushes, mittens and all kinds of massagers have proven themselves well.

Cold and hot shower

Contrast shower as one of the methods of combating postpartum stretch marks
Contrast shower is extremely beneficial for the skin, it strengthens the walls of blood vessels and fights not only stretch marks, but also varicose veins, from which many young mothers suffer.

During pregnancy, it can only be taken with the permission of a doctor , provided that there is no risk to the fetus. After childbirth, water procedures are completely safe.

The alternation algorithm is as follows: first warm water (comfortable, not hot), then very hot for a short time, then cold. Repeat several times.

You should always start with hot water and finish the procedure with cold water. The duration of stay under running hot water should be 2-3 times longer than under cold water.

Diet and vitamins

A protein diet is useful to restore skin elasticity, collagen and elastin production. It is advisable to fill the diet with fruits and vegetables; when breastfeeding, this should be done with caution, but you should not neglect plant foods. Whether it is possible to eat foods such as bananas during breastfeeding, drink coffee or alcohol, you can read the articles at the links.

It is important to drink as much water as possible , but within reasonable limits, since excess can linger in the tissues and cause swelling. We advise you to read in advance the information about the benefits and harms of currants during lactation, whether it is possible to make compotes and fruit drinks from it, and also to drink milk while breastfeeding.

Among vitamin complexes, preference should be given to those that contain vitamin E - it is needed like no other to combat stretch marks. Almost any remedy for stretch marks after childbirth, be it preparations for internal or external use, necessarily contains vitamin E.

Why do stretch marks appear after childbirth?

For women who have given birth, the following reasons for the appearance of stretch marks on the skin are primarily considered:

Starting from the first days of conception, the female body undergoes many important transformations, and the hormonal system plays a major role in the changes. This means that the natural process can be accompanied by an excess, and sometimes a lack of some steroids, which affects not only the internal physiology of the pregnant woman, but also her epidermis. Progesterone is synthesized with the greatest intensity throughout the nine months while the child grows and develops - it is decisive in the condition of the outer integument of the body. In turn, the lack of collagen and elastin fibers entails a decrease in tissue elasticity and tone, which, in fact, leads to the formation of stretch marks.
Another natural prerequisite for the appearance of sprains is an increase in the abdomen and overall body weight. Despite the fact that the skin layers lack the necessary elastic materials to maintain the necessary turgor, they are susceptible to internal microdamage and ruptures. Sometimes weight is gained so quickly that the epithelium is simply not able to stretch to the required size naturally; this is possible due to a large volume of amniotic fluid, multiple births, or simply one, too large fetus.
An additional prerequisite is the quality and quantity of food that the expectant mother eats. The importance of using products that include many beneficial elements and vitamins has been emphasized more than once by doctors, but in reality, not all women adhere to proper nutrition. And this is at a time when the body is in desperate need of nutrients, since it needs resources for the intrauterine formation of the baby.
Heredity is of considerable importance - the predisposition of the skin to stretching, and its structure itself, with an insufficient level of important components, may be congenital, passed on to the future mother in labor from her immediate relatives. This fact increases the risk of striae formation during pregnancy and childbirth.

If the woman giving birth is under 25 years old, the pathology may not be as pronounced as in adulthood, when changes in the body make the skin drier, thinner, and the processes of collagen biosynthesis proceed more slowly.

There are also indirect reasons that aggravate the pathological development of skin breaks before and after childbirth:

obesity diagnosed before conception;
sedentary lifestyle;
lack of daily hygiene procedures and body care;
environmentally unfavorable conditions;
abuse of drugs such as Dexamethasone, Prednisolone and other glucocorticoids, leading to Cushingoid obesity, which is one of the symptoms of hypercorticism - a serious endocrine disease.

Whatever the prerequisites for the abnormal phenomenon, it is quite natural that the question arises of how to remove postpartum abdominal stretch marks, since they appear most often in this area.

Folk remedies

It is important to understand that stretch marks appear on almost everyone - this is a normal phenomenon. Don't panic. Accept your body as it is. This does not mean that you don’t have to deal with the problem, but be prepared that traces of stretch marks will still remain.

I always recommend that pregnant women do not neglect olive oil: such an affordable and simple remedy gives results no worse than creams available on the open market.

At a time when cosmetic companies are vying to offer products that promise the most fantastic results, many women are skeptical about folk remedies .

Home remedies can be very useful in the prevention and removal of stretch marks: they are relatively inexpensive, while creams and wraps from well-known brands will cost a considerable amount. The basis of all cosmetic products against stretch marks is the same - oils with a high content of vitamin E.

It is difficult to remove stretch marks after childbirth at home ; it is better to try to prevent their appearance, and for this, folk recipes based on cosmetic oils are suitable.

Homemade creams and lotions

Self-prepared compositions benefit from the naturalness and freshness of the ingredients. They should be stored in the refrigerator. Here are some popular recipes.

Mix half a glass of olive oil and aloe juice (you can grind the leaves in a blender, just cut off the spines first). Add 10 drops of vitamin E and 5 drops of vitamin A (available at the pharmacy). Use for daily massage. You can expect noticeable results in about 3 months.
Mix half a glass of cocoa butter with 2 teaspoons of grated beeswax and add 10 drops of liquid vitamin E. 2 tablespoons of apricot kernel or wheat germ oil will only improve the properties of the lotion. Heat the mixture until the wax melts. Rub in once a day.

Wraps

Film wraps with cosmetic clay can be done on all problem areas.
Very effective and beneficial for the skin procedures with essential oils and cosmetic clay . They not only fight stretch marks, but burn subcutaneous fat and improve skin tone.

The clay should be diluted in warm water until a creamy mass is obtained, and the composition should be enriched with a few drops of your favorite essential oil. Apply to problem areas and wrap with cling film. Leave for about 1 hour, rinse with warm water, and then peel. Repeat no more than 2 times a week.

Pure oil, such as castor oil, is also suitable for wraps. The procedure is simple: apply to stretch marks, wrap in film, place a heating pad on top, and leave for half an hour.

Peelings

Homemade peelings are prepared from the simplest products: honey (excellent healing effect if there are no wounds or ulcers on the skin), sugar, coarse salt, ground coffee, oatmeal. A little bit of any vegetable oil is added to these abrasive particles. Rub until the skin turns red. The maximum benefit from peeling can be obtained after a shower, when the skin is steamed. Repeat 2-3 times a week.

Natural oils against stretch marks

Oil for stretch marks after childbirth can be used as an independent remedy - simply rub it in with massage movements after a shower. Olive, castor, and almond oil give good results; for greater effect, you can additionally enrich them with vitamin E, purchased at the pharmacy.

Shea butter contains many vitamins in a form that allows it to be easily absorbed through the skin. Wheat germ oil accelerates cell regeneration.

Cosmetical tools

A cream or ointment for stretch marks after childbirth must contain a powerful moisturizing complex, stimulate skin renewal, collagen production, contain retinoids, extracts of nourishing oils and vitamin E.

Creams

There are a huge number of creams sold in stores that allow you to remove stretch marks, but it is impossible to say which of them will help 100%. The main criterion when choosing it should be its composition. Required components:

retinol;
collagen;
vitamins;
essential oils.

Retinol moisturizes and increases skin regeneration. In combination with other substances included in the cream, it helps to heal stretch marks after pregnancy, making them almost invisible.

Interesting! Creams for stretch marks can also be made at home.

Salon treatments

Stretch marks manifest themselves differently for everyone: heredity, lifestyle, and the nuances of pregnancy play a role here. There are no universal recipes: cocoa butter or wheat germ will help someone.

Those who are not so lucky with skin elasticity can be saved by mesotherapy or chemical peeling if desired. After consultation and examination, we can say specifically how many sessions will be needed and what exactly is best to try in this case. But there is always a way out, the main thing is desire!

For those who are not ready to wait, there are ways to get rid of stretch marks after childbirth faster and with more noticeable results. These are salon procedures.

Chemical peeling

Peeling with fruit acids is a very effective procedure . Its goal is to remove the top layer of skin with defects in order to allow quickly regenerating tissues to fill this place with new, clean and intact skin without damage.

Mesotherapy

Mesotherapy involves injecting active nutrients such as collagen, enzymes and amino acids into the lower layer of the epidermis to stimulate the growth of new cells. The method is very effective, but it shows the best results with fresh burgundy stretch marks - they can be healed almost completely . The effect will appear gradually, on average noticeable changes will appear after 10 sessions.

Ozone therapy

Ozone therapy is considered a very effective procedure in the fight against skin defects; clinics that perform it often offer substantial discounts on procedures and even conduct promotions with free sessions.
It resembles mesotherapy in that it also involves injections. Only in this case, ozone is injected under the skin - this stimulates the production of collagen and elastin in skin cells naturally.

Microdermabrasion

The procedure involves grinding the top layer of skin. It helps remove damaged skin and make room for new skin to grow.

Elimination of stretch marks using hardware cosmetology

Modern hardware cosmetology has a rich range of techniques that are very effective against stretch marks, especially those that have appeared recently. All hardware procedures can be performed after the end of lactation and weight stabilization.

Laser resurfacing

The procedure is quite radical and is prescribed for old or large stretch marks. With complete resurfacing, the upper layers of skin cells are completely destroyed, they are subsequently replaced by new cells, as if the scars are being pushed out. In addition, during the procedure, the laser beam forms microthermal zones, which are centers for activating the synthesis of collagen and elastin. As a result, the skin is noticeably healthier and tightened.

Laser resurfacing

After laser resurfacing, the treated areas require careful care. Recovery takes several months. During this period it is dangerous to be in the sun, so the procedure is not performed in the summer and late spring.

Photos before and after laser resurfacing

Price: 40-300 rub./cm2.