How to Get Rid of Pregnancy Stretch Marks Naturally and Fast

Being a first-time mom is exciting and stressful at the same time. You go through a lot of emotional and physical changes during this time. Among all of these changes, you might also get accompanied by stretch marks, rolls, and cellulite during pregnancy. You might feel a little relieved to hear that stretch marks are common among pregnant women. The purple or reddish marks usually pop up around your thigh and tummy areas during and after pregnancy. If you’re trying to get rid of pregnancy stretch marks fast, there are some effective treatments that can help fade starch marks more quickly.

Once you get the stretch marks, it’s hard to get rid of them naturally. It takes some time to see any major improvements. So you have to be patient while trying to get rid of pregnancy starch marks naturally. Here is a complete guide that covers almost everything about pregnancy stretch marks along with some tips that are totally worth trying.

Pregnancy Stretch Marks

Stretch marks, also called striae, are small, depressed streaks on your skin. Stretch marks start to form when your skin fails to maintain its elasticity. They may be pink, red, purple, or dark brown, depending on your skin color. You can have stretch marks on:

• Stomach
• Hips
• Legs
• Breast
• Thighs

The good news is these marks are not harmful to your health and usually fade over time. 

What Causes Pregnancy Stretch Marks?

Although stretch marks are common in pregnancy, some women are more susceptible to stretch marks than others. The following conditions will increase your chances of developing stretch marks:

• Your age
• A sudden change in weight
• Having a family history of stretch marks
• Being overweight

Getting rid of pregnancy stretch marks may at first seem very daunting. However, with proper care, it is possible to reduce the appearance of these marks drastically.

How to Get Rid of Pregnancy Stretch Marks Naturally

Stretch marks can make you feel awkward or uncomfortable in your own skin. Fortunately, there are several methods that have proven effective for pregnancy stretch marks. It is also important to remember that everyone is different, and what works well for one person might not work for another. Here are a few effective ways to get rid of stretch marks from pregnancy naturally.

Exercise Regularly

Being overweight is one of the key factors for stretch marks. Physical inactivity not only detrimental to your overall health but it is bad for your skin too. Take a few minutes every day for walking, running, dancing, swimming, yoga, and gardening. If you are in the third trimester, you can enroll in a special yoga class for pregnant women. It’s important that you talk to your doctor before choosing a pregnancy workout program.  

Drink lots of water before, during, and after an exercise. Water is important to keep your skin hydrated, soft, and flexible which will speed up the healing process.

Eat Well

It is important to maintain a healthy and balanced diet to combat stretch marks. Collagen is the main component of your skin, to promote collagen production you need vitamins and minerals daily to a certain extent. Eating a diet rich in Vitamin A, C, E, and zinc will increase collagen production as well as the strength and elasticity of your skin. Here are some collagen-boosting foods you can add to your diet.

Lean Proteins: Beans, peas, and lentils

Citrus Fruits: Tomatoes, citrus, berries, sweet potatoes, and melons

Zinc fruits: Peanuts, tofu, tempeh, nuts, seeds, and oatmeal

Vitamin A & E rich fruits: Almonds, dairy products, and sunflower seeds

Vegetables: Avocados, cabbage, and leafy green vegetables

Remember to talk to an expert nutritionist before making any drastic changes in your diet during pregnancy. Don’t fall for crash diets, because they’re unlikely to help you in the long run. Make sure you’re making healthy and appropriate eating choices for your specific health conditions and dietary needs.

Regularly Moisturize Your Skin

A regular massage using lotions, oils, or creams helps the skin stay healthy and elastic, and aids in reducing the appearance of stretch marks. For best results, try massaging your skin with Aloe Vera, Cocoa butter, Shea butter, Olive oil, Vitamin E oil, and other moisturizers.

Aloe Vera

Aloe Vera is a natural skin moisturizer. It contains a great amount of plant collagen, which helps in skin healing. The most effective form of Aloe Vera is Aloe Vera gel which you can either buy from Amazon or extract from plant leaves. Leave it on your skin for 20-30 minutes before washing it off with tepid water. Doing this regularly will help moisturize your skin and speed up the healing process. 

Cocoa Butter

It’s not clinically proven that cocoa butter helps to get rid of stretch marks. However, cocoa butter is a great moisturizer.  You can rub cocoa butter on your skin in the morning and evening consistently for the best result.

If you are planning to use it during pregnancy, start putting it on early in pregnancy. It also works well relieving the itching that comes with pregnancy. 

Shea Butter

Natural and raw Shea butter, which is also known as wonder cream, can help greatly in rejuvenating your skin. Shea butter contains vitamins A and E, which improve blood circulation to the skin and speed up the healing process. The combination of unrefined Shea butter and coconut oil are both really good for getting rid of stretch marks too.

Essential Oils and Creams

Some essential oils and creams have shown an improved effect on stretch marks. The things that are used as ingredients for the essential oils and stretch mark creams are Jojoba oil, vitamin A, C and E. Take your favorite stretch marks cream to massage the areas where stretch marks often appear. You should massage several times a day. Check out some popular essential oils and creams below:

1. Jojoba Oil by Leven Rose

2. Sweet Almond Oil by Maple Holistics

3. Ancient Greek Remedy Oil by Bliss of Greece

4. Cocoa Butter Formula Skin Therapy Oil by Palmer’s

5. Natural & Organic Vitamin E Oil by Bella Terra Oils

6. Anti-Stretch Marks Massage Oil by Pure Plant Home

Be careful using essential oils, especially early in pregnancy. Talk to a doctor or qualified natural health practitioner before using essential oils during pregnancy.

Other Creams and Lotions for Pregnancy Stretch Marks

How to Get Rid of Pregnancy Stretch Marks Fast

Unfortunately, it takes some time to get rid of stretch marks naturally. There are some options to speed things up. Here are a few of the more effective treatments for pregnancy stretch marks.

These treatments during pregnancy might harm your unborn baby. So it’s recommended that you try these treatments only after pregnancy. Talk to a dermatologist to learn more about these procedures and their side effects.

Laser Stretch Marks Removal Therapy

Laser treatment is a relatively new method for removing stretch marks. The most common type used in laser stretch marks therapy is CO2 laser therapy. The latest technology uses ultra-pulse or continuous light beams to remove thin layers of skin tissue with minimal skin damage. Complete recovery can take two to three weeks.

The cost of laser treatment is expensive, but a lot of times you can buy a treatment package that may lower the cost a little. Also, make sure you get referrals if you go for laser treatment. Remember, it fades the scars and softens the skin, but it will not completely remove them.

Tummy Tuck

A tummy tuck is a real solution to get rid of stretch marks fast. It flattens your belly for the long-term by removing any excess skin and fatty tissue below the navel. It will take off any stretch marks on the skin being removed.

The procedure is most effective in the areas below the belly button. It is an expensive surgery, so think and know the facts before you go down that road.

Microdermabrasion

Microdermabrasion is another effective method to remove stretch marks. This procedure uses exfoliating crystals to get rid of dead skin from the affected areas. As the dead skin vanishes, younger-looking skin comes to the top. Dermatologists suggest that you have to try the method at least a couple of times to improve the quality of your skin.

Micro-Needling

Micro-needling, which is a minimally invasive cosmetic procedure, increases collagen production in the skin.  It is a proven method to reduce pore size, fade scars, and improve overall texture and firmness.

Getting rid of stretch marks completely is difficult, but these procedures can help fade or lessen their appearance fast.

Final Thoughts

The best treatment for stretch marks is prevention. As you continue to treat your old stretch marks, be aware of the onset of new stretch marks.

Finally, embrace them as badges of honor or battle scars! You’ve earned your stripes while you are carrying your beautiful baby inside you. They also remind you of your journey to motherhood and all the struggles you have been through. There’s nothing to be ashamed of your stretch marks.

Remember, you will get rid of them eventually. Have fun with your little one, moms.