Many women experience the appearance of stretch marks on the abdomen after childbirth and do not want to put up with it. Such skin defects also have a scientific name - stretch marks.
To minimize the risk of such a deficiency, it is recommended to regularly resort to caring procedures and eat a balanced diet before and after pregnancy. But preventive measures do not always help.
Today, there are many ways to remove stretch marks on the stomach after childbirth. Both cosmetic procedures and home treatments can help.
Stretch marks after childbirth - reasons for their appearance
Almost every second young mother or woman just preparing for this joyful event asks the question: “What causes stretch marks?”
This is due to the fact that the skin on the abdomen stretches extremely during pregnancy. Physiology is not important here - stretch marks occur in both thin and plump people.
The main reason for this defect is hormonal changes during pregnancy. A woman begins to rapidly gain excess weight, while the synthesis of collagen and elastin sharply decreases. Against this background, the epidermis suffers first of all.
As a result of the growth of the abdomen, the skin on it becomes very stretched and becomes thinner. Unable to withstand such pressure, it breaks in places, and the replacement tissue that forms in these areas is called striae.
What stretch marks that form during pregnancy and childbirth look like is shown in the photo (before and after removal).
Striae do not form one at a time, but in groups. They are easy to recognize - reddish, chaotically located stripes (if they appeared no later than a year). When stretch marks are old, they are paler in color. Therefore, the fact whether it is possible to remove stretch marks on the abdomen after childbirth depends on the statute of limitations.
Why do stretch marks and scars occur during pregnancy?
Stretch marks are a common occurrence in pregnant women. The reason for their appearance lies mainly in the large increase in extra pounds. Some pregnant women gain weight so quickly that the elasticity of the skin cannot cope, thereby forming stretch marks on the surface of the body.
After giving birth to a child, a woman may also encounter unpleasant scars. They occur with sudden weight loss. The skin sags, thereby leading to the appearance of scars on the body.
Scars after surgery (caesarean section) are also not fun. After all, scars do not decorate a woman. And the scar from the operation, although cosmetic, is still striking.
Is it possible to cope with stretch marks?
Stretch marks after childbirth are unlikely to go away completely, especially if the birth took place more than a year ago. The method is chosen based on this fact.
The root causes of stretch marks – hormonal imbalance or excess weight – are of no small importance. To remove stretch marks on the abdomen after childbirth, it is most effective to use an integrated approach: proper nutrition, sports and cosmetic care.
There is a radical method - abdominoplasty. With its help you can both tighten your stomach and remove stretch marks at the same time
This method is acceptable for large-scale lesions and a sagging abdomen. Since the cost of such an operation is high, not everyone can afford it financially. And the procedure itself is complex and is not performed everywhere.
How to eat healthy
Numerous women's reviews will tell you how to remove stretch marks on the stomach after childbirth by revising your daily diet.
The structure of the epidermis is highly dependent on the amount of incoming vitamins. To quickly get rid of stretch marks, immediately after childbirth, a number of vitamins and minerals must be included in the menu.
They are presented in the table:
| Vitamins and microelements | Properties | What do they contain? |
| A | Has high regenerating properties. | Sea and river fish, chicken eggs, fermented milk products, liver, green feathers. |
| Ascorbic acid | Vitamin C accelerates the production of natural collagen, which strengthens the epidermis and promotes rapid healing. | Oranges, grapefruits, lemons, tomatoes, white cabbage, potatoes. |
| E | Prevents premature aging of cells. | Walnuts, hazelnuts, legumes, cashews, unrefined, sunflower oil. |
| AT 3 | Improves the structure of the dermis. | Brown bread, beans, meat, mushrooms, liver, beets. |
| Zinc | Stimulates cell growth and protein synthesis. | Nuts, wheat grains, meat, egg yolks, river fish, bread. |
During breastfeeding, it is advisable to adjust your diet, excluding allergenic foods. Otherwise, you can harm the baby's health.
How to remove postpartum belly
The postpartum belly is removed with the help of dietary adjustments and moderate physical activity. This will have a favorable effect on the size of stretch marks. That is why the following products should be excluded:
- fatty and fried;
- bread;
- chocolate;
- confectionery;
- salty and spicy dishes.
You should consume more:
- water;
- vegetables, including broccoli and cauliflower.
You need to eat at least 5 times a day.
In terms of physical activity, it is worth increasing the load gradually. Start with walks outside, they burn excess weight and strengthen muscles. If there are no serious problems with weight, but simply weakened muscles, then regaining shape will be quite simple.
Sports solution to the problem
Another effective home way to remove stretch marks after childbirth is regular but moderate physical activity using a specially designed complex.
It is aimed at accelerating blood flow to the problem area and strengthening muscle tissue. Along with this, metabolism is normalized, natural metabolic processes are restored, and this allows you to urgently cope with the problem that has arisen.
It is not recommended to exert yourself physically immediately after childbirth. It's worth waiting a couple of months.
How to get rid of stretch marks after childbirth with exercises? To do this, it is recommended to familiarize yourself with the following complex:
- They lie on their backs on the floor and raise their legs, bending them at the knees. Hands must be crossed over the chest. Raise the pelvis and hold for a few seconds. Must be repeated 10 times. Every day the duration of the workout is extended by 5 seconds. and one approach.
- Lie on your back, straightened arms pressed to the body. The straight legs are raised, and the hands are placed behind the lower back, thereby helping to hold the pelvis. Fixed for 15-20 seconds and returned to the starting position.
- Perform a plank on your elbows. To do this, rest them on the floor, do not bend your knees, and keep your back straight. You need to freeze for 35 seconds. It is necessary to make 4-5 such passes. Gradually increase the duration of the exercise by a few seconds.
All exercises are done gradually, trying not to physically overload. Before training, it is advisable to moisturize the skin, but not with a warming agent.
Plastic surgery
If the appearance of stretch marks is accompanied by stretching and subsequent sagging of the skin, neither traditional methods nor cosmetology will help get rid of them. The solution remains surgical intervention:
- abdominoplasty;
- breast lift;
- increasing the volume of the mammary glands with implants.
These are expensive operations that are performed under general anesthesia. The recovery period takes about 3 months. They tighten the skin well, reducing the appearance of severe stretch marks.
Striae are not a disease. You need to understand that this is an aesthetic problem and it is much more effective to combat it at the prevention stage. These procedures help to significantly reduce the visual appearance of stretch marks, but do not eliminate them completely.
Cosmetology can help
Before removing stretch marks on the abdomen after childbirth at home with various cosmetic compositions, you should study a number of nuances and follow them.
Most of these products are aimed at restoring the structure of the skin - increasing elasticity and brightening.
Scrubs and masks (3 recipes)
These are products designed to remove the keratinized surface layer of the skin. They also accelerate microcirculation and nourish the dermis with important nutrients. As a result, elasticity returns to the tissues.
The most productive recipes that are easy to use at home:
- In the bath or under the shower, coffee powder (natural) is applied to the soaped body and rubbed into the stretched areas. Such manipulations are performed once every 6-7 days.
- Combine 120 g of granulated sugar and the same amount of sea salt, add 50 ml of olive oil. Stir until creamy. Distribute the resulting mass, moving in a circle. After 10-15 minutes, wash off with warm water.
- Mix the following components: massage product (120 g), natural ground coffee (70 g), sea salt (50 g). Rub it into the defects for about 10 minutes, then get into the shower.
In the fight against postpartum tears, industrial scrubs are no less effective. They are sold in pharmacies. Just be sure to read the instructions first to avoid side effects.
Creams to help
Cosmetology retail outlets now offer a wide range of all kinds of creams against stretch marks. When choosing, they are guided by the biochemical composition.
Important components:
- collagen;
- retinol;
- vitamin supplements;
- ethers.
Retinol, in combination with other components of the cream, promotes skin regeneration. As a result, breaks that appear after childbirth become almost invisible.
The essence and benefits of wraps
The principle of the procedure is elementary - a special gel-like product is smeared on the damaged area, over which cling film is wrapped. Due to the greenhouse effect created, the body warms up and beneficial elements are absorbed more intensely.
Having gone through many wrapping recipes, I would like to highlight 2 of the most productive:
- Mix 50 ml of olive oil with three drops of lemon or lavender oil. The mixture is measuredly applied to the stomach and wrapped. The top is insulated with a blanket or scarf. Wash off after half an hour.
- Dissolve 2 pressed mummy medals in 25 ml of water. Add baby cream. The further sequence of actions is as in the previous case.
Wraps are best done after a shower, when the body is steamed.
Can't do without a massage
Perhaps the most effective way to get rid of a stretched tummy is massage. The main thing is not to use much force with your fingers when massaging, so as not to provoke new tears.
For the procedure, take any oil: rosemary, almond or eucalyptus. You can opt for a cream with vitamin E in its composition.
The technology is as follows:
- Squeeze a little product into the palm of your hand and begin to move it in a circle over the problem area.
- Stroke for 5-7 minutes, then switch to rubbing, lasting no more than 10 minutes.
- The final 5 minutes are lightly massaged again.
It is advisable to first use a scrub to remove dead cells.
Diastasis
Diastasis is a pathology of the abdominal muscles, more typical for women who have recently given birth. In most cases, it is treated without surgery using only conservative methods. It is observed in 40% of women during the postpartum period.
The most effective remedy in the fight against diastasis is physical exercise. Here are a few:
- cat pose;
- gluteal bridge;
- lifting the body while lying on your back;
- slowly lifting your legs from a lying position on the floor.
Perform them daily for 3 approaches, each with 10-15 repetitions.
Diastasis of the rectus abdominis muscles
Question answer
The desired result can be achieved only by following professional recommendations and regularly carrying out such procedures.
To achieve a noticeable result, you will need to undergo at least 3 procedures - for fresh stretch marks and up to 10 - for old ones. A one-month break is required between each session.
Indeed, mumiyo is used to eliminate stretch marks. To do this, the crushed tablet is mixed with cream and then applied to the skin. This method improves regeneration, reduces small stretch marks, and large ones become less noticeable. To achieve results, you should use mummy for more than one month. Therefore, it is better to approach this problem comprehensively, using other methods.
2). Electrophoresis with fermenkol
Electrophoresis with fermenkol is a physiotherapeutic therapy in which the introduction of a medicinal substance into the surface of the body is carried out under the influence of an electric current. It is believed that due to the action of electric current, the healing components penetrate better under the scar tissue. This therapy has a beneficial effect on the body. Under the layer of skin, fatty tissue accumulates the medicine, thereby increasing the duration of the drug.
Electrophoresis is done in courses. You will not see visible changes immediately, but after 5–10 sessions, your scar will be significantly reduced. With this therapy, side effects are extremely rare. After the procedure, the patient feels: slight tingling; slight itching; slight redness of the skin. All of the above symptoms are not side effects.
Electrophoresis is contraindicated in:
- pregnancy or lactation;
- women with heart and kidney failure;
- intolerance to current or drug components;
- in case of illness with high body temperature.
For scar removal, electrophoresis is an excellent solution. The procedure will destroy scar tissue and smooth out uneven skin. The appearance will only please you. In the shortest possible time, you will not only reduce the thickness of the scar, but you can also forget about it forever.
Methods for removing stretch marks on the abdomen with laser and cost
Significant progress in cosmetology now suggests many solutions for removing stretch marks after childbirth: laser, mesotherapy, plasma lifting. But the first type is considered the most productive.
If all the measures taken at home do not help, then all you have to do is resort to it. However, it is worth remembering that the price for laser removal of stretch marks is quite high, and there is no absolute guarantee that no side effects will occur.
Today, there are the following types of laser stretch mark removal:
- peeling;
- grinding.
Peeling concept
Peeling is considered the most gentle method of getting rid of fresh stretch marks. This is due to the fact that a special (neodymium) laser is used, which does not injure the superficial dermal layer.
In this case, the beam penetrates directly into the gap and softens it due to heating. You can verify the effectiveness of laser stretch mark removal using photos - before and after the procedure.
Laser resurfacing is more radical in terms of the degree of action and is acceptable in the case of outdated stretch marks. Here, the integrity of the tissue is disrupted, due to which fibroblasts are activated. These are substances responsible for the synthesis of the body’s own collagen.
What is grinding
The principle of the laser resurfacing procedure varies depending on the type chosen:
- Full resurfacing - the outer layer of skin is completely destroyed, and replacement tissue subsequently grows.
- Fractional photothermolysis - locally manipulate the beam through microscopic channels in the affected areas, breaking their structure from the inside.
Two types of lasers are used for grinding: erbium and carbon dioxide. The first is the safest, since the speed of its action is so high that healthy connections do not have time to be damaged.
Rehabilitation after complete resurfacing lasts about 5-10 days. For the first 2 days there is slight swelling, redness and pain. But soon the patient's condition returns to normal. Throughout this period you will need to take antiviral drugs.
After fractional thermolysis, it is forbidden to stay in the sun for a long time for 2 weeks, as well as use a solarium, sauna and swimming pool.
The cosmetologist prescribes regenerating ointments, which should be applied daily to the surgical site.
Since both types of resurfacing are performed under anesthesia, not everyone decides to take such a step. Therefore, as an alternative, you can use the Polomar laser to remove stretch marks (before and after photos below), the price of which is similar. However, the device has a special head, which cools the skin surface during operation and there is no pain.
Cost of laser procedure
The financial side of the issue of beautifying the abdomen depends on several factors: the area of influence, the type of laser, the region and the prestige of the clinic. Thus, in Moscow and St. Petersburg, laser stretch mark removal will cost the client at the maximum rate - from 3.5 to 16 thousand rubles.
Compared to more remote regions, in the polar city of Murmansk such a procedure costs on average 8 thousand rubles.
In a city like Kazan, stretch marks on the stomach after childbirth can be removed within 11 thousand rubles. According to statistics, the price tag for, for example, Ivanovo is the cheapest - 100 rubles. per square centimeter.
10 contraindications
Despite the effectiveness of the procedure for eliminating stretch marks with a laser, there are a number of medical contraindications. These include:
CONTRAINDICATIONS
- period of pregnancy and lactation;
- diabetes;
- pathologies of the cardiovascular system;
- malignant tumors;
- various infections in the acute stage;
- epilepsy;
- hormonal imbalances;
- varicose veins in the stretch mark area;
- inflammatory processes;
- allergy.
4) Collostotherapy (Collost 15%)
Collost 15% is a medicinal gel extracted from the dermis of cattle. Collost is the only certified collagen-based product, which in its properties and composition is very close to human collagen. With the help of many point injections into the dermis through a needle, collagen fills the scar in full. By the end of the procedure, skin unevenness is corrected.
Collostotherapy helps smooth out scars and stretch marks. After therapy, your skin will regain its former natural muscle tone. Even after the procedure is completed, recovery occurs in the body, since the procedure is cumulative.
Removing stretch marks and scars using collostotherapy is considered one of the most effective methods. You will notice the result after the first two injections. The procedure includes 2-6 sessions.
Injections with collost 15% are contraindicated in women who:
- allergy to the drug;
- poor blood clotting;
- skin, autoimmune, cancer diseases;
- pregnancy, lactation period;
- severe chronic diseases.
There may be pain and swelling of the skin at the site of the procedure, but often the side effects go away on their own in the next couple of days. Also, it is worth following the recommendations of a specialist and not visiting baths and saunas immediately after the introduction of collost.
Removal of stretch marks, scars and scars is possible at the SkinLazerMed Medical Center. The center uses only licensed drugs approved in Russia. A huge staff of the most experienced specialists who will achieve the desired result in the shortest possible time.
On the day of the procedure, a doctor will examine you absolutely free of charge and give you the necessary recommendations for eliminating unpleasant scars or stretch marks on your body. Prices are among the most tempting in St. Petersburg. You can view the price list on the website or by visiting us in person.
Prevention (4 rules)
How to protect yourself from stretch marks after pregnancy? To do this, follow these simple rules:
- Throughout the entire period of gestation, use special creams that lubricate the skin. Various oils that contain vitamin E will also be beneficial.
- Eat foods that are rich in vitamins.
- Wear a bandage. It should be used already in the second trimester.
- Choose the right underwear.
Let's take a short excursion into history...
Almost until the mid-90s, both in large maternity hospitals and in the obstetric departments of the Central District Hospital, single births by cesarean section from the entire array of births per day were reported at morning conferences. And the indications for a caesarean section to the doctors on duty had to be carefully justified, and if the doctor on duty had several caesarean sections in a month, then the head of the department raised the question of the qualifications of this doctor. Everything was very serious: a low rate of cesarean sections, a high rate of vaginal births, a low rate of complications for women in labor and... a fairly high rate of infant mortality. But the structure of infant mortality included a very high percentage of deaths of children born with developmental defects. In those years, they were not detected in any way: ultrasound machines were rare even in large maternity hospitals, they did not allow identifying many malformations, experienced ultrasound doctors were also rare.
Therefore, if we subtract the mortality rate of children born with developmental defects from the infant mortality rates of those years, we will get the same figures as now.
Doctors of that period had justified obstetric endurance and intuition for managing childbirth, based on classical obstetrics. An important fact was that the birth rate in those days was high, and doctors knew that if a woman had a scar on the uterus after childbirth, then the pregnancy would be problematic, and subsequent births were only possible through surgery. There was a high rate of uterine rupture due to a scar during pregnancy and childbirth, and therefore, in the vast majority of maternity hospitals around the country, births with a uterine scar were carried out by elective caesarean section. Such pregnant women were not even allowed to give birth. This was due to the fact that then the wall of the uterus was sutured with catgut, and sometimes an allergic reaction to this suture material occurred in the area of the sutured uterine tissue, and inflammation did not contribute to good tissue healing, and such scars during pregnancy thinned to a critical limit and diverged\ were torn apart, which led to tragic situations.
Then, since the mid-90s of the last century, several things happened that influenced both pregnant women and the medical community of obstetricians and gynecologists.
Massive “training” of our doctors by Western specialists began on their standards of care for pregnant women. But these “standards” and “training” that were imposed on us were only narrowly focused! Considering the difficult financial condition of people of that period of time and doctors in particular, we perceived this training as the spirit of the new times, as new opportunities in medicine, as an opportunity to communicate with colleagues from other countries.
Countless conferences and congresses of world leaders in obstetrics and gynecology in Russia, and in almost all regional centers, to train our “inept, ignorant, weak-minded” doctors professing classical obstetrics, new techniques and possibilities for quick delivery by cesarean section.
The indications for cesarean section were expanded to the point of absurdity; they could be adjusted to any obstetric situation, to any woman in labor, to the capabilities of any gynecologist!
Why should a doctor pay attention and monitor the birth process for a long time (from 4 to 15 hours), when in 20-30 minutes you can do everything and deal with any subsequent process. Classical obstetrics did not even recede into the background, and gradually began to be forgotten... Moreover, young doctors coming from the institute saw a completely truncated model of the behavior of an obstetrician-gynecologist, and in their further practice they used a very limited supply of knowledge and skills.
Significant efforts are now being made to retrain such doctors in classical obstetrics skills. But what has been instilled for years is difficult to change in a few months; more time is needed here.
Over almost 20 years of such “work,” we have received a huge number of women with scars on the uterus, who could give birth not to two children, but to a much larger number of children. According to statistics, the number of women with a uterine scar who decide to give birth to a second child is 30% less than women who gave birth naturally. Only 10% of women with uterine scars think about having a third child.
Usually, after the third caesarean section, tubal ligation (sterilization) was performed, and quite often sterilization was carried out after the second operation, no one asked the women’s consent for this. This situation has led to a significant decrease in the birth rate in our country.
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.
What are stretch marks?
Stretch marks (striae from the Latin striae - stripes) are lesions on the skin in the form of wavy stripes of different widths and lengths that occur during the process of stretching. I have a color from white to red-violet.
To understand the process of stretch marks formation, the skin can be compared to an elastic band with paper glued onto it. If you stretch the tape too much, the paper will tear. Such tears scar over time, first acquiring a purple hue due to the large number of blood vessels. Later they heal completely, acquiring a pearl shade.
Formation of stretch marks on the skin
Stretch marks, like other scars, do not have hair follicles, sebaceous and sweat glands. They have less elasticity than surrounding areas. Cells from which striae are not able to synthesize melanin, so they become more noticeable on tanned skin.
