“Lots of stretch marks. What can I do?”
I recently gave birth to a beautiful baby boy who happened to be very big (11 lbs!). I have horrible stretch marks over my abdomen, hips and onto my back. I used moisturizer all during my pregnancy but it didn't seem to make a difference. What can be done now? They look horrible.
17 Answers
Hello, congratulations on the birth of your baby boy. If you had a C-section and/or are not planning on future pregnancies, you will greatly benefit from a tummy tuck. However, if a tummy tuck is not for you, you can diminish stretch marks with Morpheus. This can also help with stretch marks on other parts of your body. You can also visit my website at DrRoya.com for further information and assistance. Good luck to you!
Time and moisturizers will help some. An abdominoplasty is the most common treatment. If you plan more children, wait until you’ve had all your babies. The location of the stretch marks will also play a role in determining how large the skin resection will need to be.
Laser treatment of stretch marks with any laser approved for this is best as early as possible. The ones that are still a little pink respond the best. Don't wait!
Also creams such as Strivectin before treatment and in between treatments works well.
Also creams such as Strivectin before treatment and in between treatments works well.
Stretch marks as a result of pregnancy are very common. Creams are often a method used to try and prevent or treat them but this is not proven to work. The only option to remove the stretch marks is to remove the skin via plastic surgery like a tummy tuck. Depending on where the stretch marks are located you may be able to surgically remove them. I suggest a consult with a board certified plastic surgeon to determine what is possible in your situation.
Thanks so much for your question! Unfortunately the main treatment for stretch marks is to remove them surgically during a tummy tuck. This tightens the skin of the abdomen and would remove almost all of the stretch marks below your belly button. Another option is to have them treated with laser resurfacing, but this can sometimes not be terribly effective.
Stretch marks are very common after pregnancy and although you used moisturiser, probably that wasn't enough. There are some products such as strata mark (a product that is distributed in the EU) that help a lot. Other, more invasive options include Fraxional laser and specific mesotherpapy treatments. You should consult your physician but you have to act fast. The faster you treat them, the better the results.
You can improve a little with cosmetic products or laser! The only real treatment is surgery where they can be removed for example abdominoplasty
Alessandro Thione MD, PhD
Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon
Alessandro Thione MD, PhD
Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon
Thanks for your question! Stretch marks come in different kinds. The ones
that are red and dark respond to laser treatment. It would be best to
evaluate you in person to determine the best treatment for you. Please let
us know if you'd like a consult with one of our aestheticians. Thank you.
Shim Ching, MSc, MD, FRCSC, FACS
that are red and dark respond to laser treatment. It would be best to
evaluate you in person to determine the best treatment for you. Please let
us know if you'd like a consult with one of our aestheticians. Thank you.
Shim Ching, MSc, MD, FRCSC, FACS
Stretchmarks present a dilemma. In my opinion, the best treatment for stretchmarks is "tincture of time". Be patient and continue to use a good moisturizer. You may elect to have an abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) after you finish having children. Abdominoplasty is the most effective means of removing lower abdominal wall stretchmarks.
We have had good successs treating stretch marks with the Fraxel Restore laser. There is no significant downtime. Expect best results with a series of three to four treatments sessions about 6-8 weeks apart
Unfortunately, stretch marks result from tearing of the dermal layer of the skin and this can be due to hormonal changes, steroid abuse and simple mechanical causes such as over-stretching from pregnancy, weight gain, and so on.
There is no truly effective way to reverse the damage despite a myriad of claims in the media and on billboards. Patients collectively spend vast amounts each year on "hope" and invariably are disappointed.
That is not to say that the stretch-marks cannot improve wth time and that certain skin shrinking procedures such as "Bodytite" would not improve their appearance, but having them removed completely is unrealistic, given today's options.
The god news is that the discoloration, or lividity, that comes with the hormonal changes of pregnancy does improve with time, so be patient.
There is no truly effective way to reverse the damage despite a myriad of claims in the media and on billboards. Patients collectively spend vast amounts each year on "hope" and invariably are disappointed.
That is not to say that the stretch-marks cannot improve wth time and that certain skin shrinking procedures such as "Bodytite" would not improve their appearance, but having them removed completely is unrealistic, given today's options.
The god news is that the discoloration, or lividity, that comes with the hormonal changes of pregnancy does improve with time, so be patient.
Fadi T. Hamadani
Plastic Surgeon
Hello and thank you for your question. You state in your question that you just gave birth to a beautiful and healthy baby boy - congratulations! And that you have developed stretchmarks around your abdomen, hips, and back. You wonder what can be done.
Stretch marks, also known as striae distensae, result from the stretching of the skin that occurs as a result of the weight gain in pregnancy. Your beautiful baby boy was definitely on the bigger side, so this probably contributed to the stretch marks.
There are several options you can consider:
1. Combination therapy utilizing injections of a gas called carbon dioxide (Carboxytherapy) along with injections of a mesotherapy specifically formulated for stretch marks (I prefer RRS Strimatrix) followed by microneedling. This treatment is almost guaranteed to significantly reduce the stretchmarks but will require 6-8 sessions spaced about 1 month apart.
2. Another option is to utilize laser resurfacing or Infini (microneedling + radiofrequency technology) to reduce them.
3. Both options work very well but I prefer the first one because I have found the results to be slightly better.
Good luck.
Stretch marks, also known as striae distensae, result from the stretching of the skin that occurs as a result of the weight gain in pregnancy. Your beautiful baby boy was definitely on the bigger side, so this probably contributed to the stretch marks.
There are several options you can consider:
1. Combination therapy utilizing injections of a gas called carbon dioxide (Carboxytherapy) along with injections of a mesotherapy specifically formulated for stretch marks (I prefer RRS Strimatrix) followed by microneedling. This treatment is almost guaranteed to significantly reduce the stretchmarks but will require 6-8 sessions spaced about 1 month apart.
2. Another option is to utilize laser resurfacing or Infini (microneedling + radiofrequency technology) to reduce them.
3. Both options work very well but I prefer the first one because I have found the results to be slightly better.
Good luck.
Stretch marks are unfortunately a tear in the underlying collagen layer of the skin. These cannot re-removed. If the stretch marks are red or reddish purple we can treat them with IPL or another type of vascular laser. Resurfx is used after the stretch marks have lightened in color and blending is the goal.
William A Stefani MD
Renaissance Plastic Surgery
85 E Big Beaver Rd
Troy MI 48083
Off-586-779-3030
William A Stefani MD
Renaissance Plastic Surgery
85 E Big Beaver Rd
Troy MI 48083
Off-586-779-3030
Among the most promising options for treatment are lasers. Aside from that, there may be some improvement from collagen or PRP injections in limited areas. Unfortunately, there are not may medical, surgical or pharmaceutical interventions for extensive stretch marks. A tummy tuck will remove the majority of stretch marks below the belly button.
Stretch marks are often a sign of the miracle of birth ..unfortunately their treatment is not as miraculous! We have come a long way though...the stretch marks are literally a stretching of the dermis and the elastic elements in this layer of the skin.
2017 treatments include the use of the Icon laser with the 1540 laser adapter.This laser can return some of the elastic fibers back to near normal by building new collagen.You can go to drbafitis.com and look under icon laser for examples.
After 3 to 4 of these treatments coupled with medical grade hyalauronic acid moisturizers,we often add medical microneedling with a patients own blood PRP....for resistant areas.
Expect about a 55 to 85%reduction that is permanent,until the next pregnancy arrives!
We have come a long way and the results are certainly MUCH improved than even 3 years ago.
2017 treatments include the use of the Icon laser with the 1540 laser adapter.This laser can return some of the elastic fibers back to near normal by building new collagen.You can go to drbafitis.com and look under icon laser for examples.
After 3 to 4 of these treatments coupled with medical grade hyalauronic acid moisturizers,we often add medical microneedling with a patients own blood PRP....for resistant areas.
Expect about a 55 to 85%reduction that is permanent,until the next pregnancy arrives!
We have come a long way and the results are certainly MUCH improved than even 3 years ago.
Stretchmarks are a problem. Over time - usually 6 - 12 months after your
delivery, they should fade, but they will not go away. Only the ones
between your belly button and pubic region would be removed with a tummy
tuck --- you will have to live with the others. Moisurizers help -- no
treatment, including laser will totally remove them.
Some people are lucky and dont get them, others are not so lucky.
delivery, they should fade, but they will not go away. Only the ones
between your belly button and pubic region would be removed with a tummy
tuck --- you will have to live with the others. Moisurizers help -- no
treatment, including laser will totally remove them.
Some people are lucky and dont get them, others are not so lucky.
Sorry to hear about your stretch marks, but congrats on the healthy baby!
Stretch marks are visible damage to the inner layer of the skin. They should lighten up with time (6-12 months), but there is nothing that I know of that reliably make them go away.
Stretch marks are visible damage to the inner layer of the skin. They should lighten up with time (6-12 months), but there is nothing that I know of that reliably make them go away.
