Useful Secrets to Reduce Stretch Marks After Childbirth

Stretch marks (striae distensae) and loose skin are common problems that occur in 90% of postpartum mothers. Stretch marks appear during pregnancy because the skin stretches very fast to accommodate the size of the growing baby. A mother’s rapid weight gain due to changes in estrogen and progesterone hormones while being pregnant is another factor contributing to the appearance of postpartum stretch marks as well.

The earlier these stretch marks and loose skin are dealt with, the more quickly and easily they can be removed. There are a variety of ways to get rid of these skin conditions, such as applying stretch mark creams and oils together with drinking plenty of water, or performing exercises that firm up muscles in the abdomen, thighs, waist, and hips. However, these exercises should not start until two to three weeks after vaginal delivery, and one month for cesarean delivery, to avoid any impact on wound healing.

Treatments for stretch mark reduction

• Freshly developed stretch marks tend to be red (striae rubra) and can be treated more easily early on. A commonly used removal technique is by Vbeam laser.
• Older stretch marks are white. The skin in those areas forms slight ridges and indents. Fraxel or Fotona lasers are used to solve these problems.
• Old stretch marks combined with cellulite or excess fat on the abdomen, hips, buttocks, upper arms, and thighs after pregnancy can be removed by using Vanquish and Exilis Elite in combination with X-wave technology (acoustic wave therapy).

Notes: Cellulite is subcutaneous fat causing a dimpled, bumpy, or puckered appearance on the skin surface. Cellulite is often developed on the thighs, hips, rear end, and abdomen. It can appear on the chest, lower abdomen, and upper arms as well.
 

The use of Vbeam laser treatment in early developed stretch marks

Vbeam is a type of laser often used in acne treatment and to reduce red marks on the skin. It realigns the blood vessels under the skin and stimulates collagen production, which leads to skin regeneration. As a result, the skin looks smoother and more luminous. The Vbeam laser transmits heat to the dermis layer of skin to target and damage abnormal blood vessels in the skin, causing realignments of the subcutaneous blood vessels, thus leading to collagen regeneration. Treatment using this particular type of laser is painless and does not require either anesthetics or injection prior to treatment. Not only that, the device is equipped with a cooling system to prevent burning of the skin
 

The use of Fotona 4D and Fraxel • in treating older stretch marks

Fotona 4D is categorized as a fractional ablative laser, developed from an ablative laser which uses a laser beam to remove the entire area of outer skin being treated. It was then modified with customizable settings that offer adjustable treatment options to suit the patient’s skin type and concerns. Consequently, the fractional ablative laser requires less time for recovery and causes fewer side effects. It works well with old stretch marks since it uses wounding to stimulate higher collagen regeneration. Nowadays, this type of laser is being used for the treatment of numerous skin conditions as follows:

• Face and cheek lifts
• Reducing facial wrinkles
• Minimizing the size of hypertrophic scars
• Stretch mark removal
• Treatment of rolling scars resulted from acne

For this type of laser treatment, applying a topical anesthetic for pain relief one hour before starting the session is recommended. The treatment session should take place once a month, and may require four to six treatments to produce the expected outcome depending on the individual’s skin condition. The collagen regenerates continuously over approximately three months to achieve the best results.

Fraxel is considered a fractional non-ablative laser, which is similar to the fractional ablative laser, but what makes it different is that it does not wound the skin and only works on the targeted areas. This laser treatment is based on three working methods: resurfacing, collagen contraction, and collagen remodeling, which are suitable for the following skin problems:

• Stretch marks after childbirth
• Facial wrinkles
• Rolling scars and other acne scars
• Dark spots and dull skin

The use of Vanquish and Exilis Elite in combination with acoustic wave therapy to get rid of old stretch marks along with cellulite and excess body fat

Vanquish is a US FDA-approved innovation, used for circumferential fat reduction around the abdominal areas, thighs, and the love handles at sides of the waist. It transmits selective radiofrequency energy to destroy fat cells without coming into direct contact with the skin. This selective radiofrequency (selective RF) is transformed into thermal energy that specifically reacts with the fat cells underneath the skin while maintaining a temperature of 45 degrees Celsius with no damage to tissue cells, skin cells, and muscle cells in the surrounding areas. Vanquish technology destroys fat cells permanently, after which the dead fat cells are eliminated from the body through the lymphatic system. One treatment session takes from 30 - 45 minutes. The patient will feel only a warm sensation in the treated areas; no recovery time is needed. The recommended number of treatments includes four sessions (with an approximate fat reduction of 30%), once a week. A distinct difference is noticeable after two months.

Exilis Elite is a certified innovation from the United States for reducing cellulite and skin tightening around the abdominal and buttocks areas. Exilis Elite uses a combination of monopolar radiofrequency and ultrasound technologies to break down the fat cells (lipolysis) and tighten the skin. The treatment duration for each specific area lasts from 15 - 30 minutes. It is recommended that the patient receives treatment once a week for four consecutive weeks (with an approximate fat reduction of 30%). The patient will begin to notice a distinct difference after the first one to two months.

Acoustic wave therapy is a US FDA-approved innovation for reducing cellulite, enhancing skin elasticity, and improving skin laxity. Acoustic wave therapy applies mechanical vibrations on the skin surface in combination with acoustic wave technology. The acoustic waves are emitted into the subcutaneous fat layer to stimulate lipolysis and blood circulation, promote disposal of toxic waste in the lymphatic system, and boost collagen production.

It is recommended that the patient continually receives six to ten treatments every other day, or twice a week, for three consecutive weeks.

A distinct difference can be observed after three months. The patient should maintain a stable weight over the course of the treatment.

 

Those with limited time constraints can receive all three treatment services on the same day, with a total service duration of approximately 90 minutes.

A total of two sessions is recommended (with an approximate fat reduction of 30%) with a 5-day interval between each session.