Congratulations on the birth of your child! But in the wake of childbirth leaves a lot of recovery. One of the things you’re probably struggling with the most is postpartum stretch marks. You’ve come to the right place. This guide will show you how to get rid of stretch marks postpartum. From stretch mark serum to professional treatments, we’ll help you weigh your options below.
Key Takeaways
- Red/purple marks (striae rubrae) respond better to treatment than white/silver ones (striae albae). Early treatment is key.
- Centella asiatica has clinical evidence and American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) backing as a stretch mark treatment.1
- Professional treatments include microneedling, laser resurfacing, and retinoids. These should only be explored if topical treatment is ineffective.
- Most marks begin fading within 6-12 months of delivery, though some are permanent.
- 8 Sheep Organics makes the best stretch mark cream for pregnancy and postpartum.
Why Does Pregnancy Cause Stretch Marks?
It makes sense when you think about it. Your body was pushed to its literal breaking point with new life growing inside of you. Your skin was not able to keep up with the rate at which it was stretched during the late second and early third trimesters. So, it tore - deep within the dermis layer of the skin. That tear is what you see when you’re looking at a stretch mark.
Cortisol climbs higher during pregnancy, which weakens elastic fibers. Meanwhile, relaxin loosens up connective tissue across the entire body. Then there’s the genetics at play - women whose mothers had stretch marks are twice as likely to develop them.2
But the truth is, as many as 90% of pregnant women develop stretch marks.3 They’re a part of motherhood. That doesn’t make it easy to accept them as a permanent part of your skin, though.
Identifying Postpartum Stretch Marks
Not all postpartum stretch marks look exactly the same. Hopefully, yours are still red, purple, or dark brown. Because this type (known scientifically as striae rubrae) is still likely to respond to topical treatment. These stretch marks are still in the early stages and haven’t “scarred” yet.
On the other hand, white, silvery, or even light brown stretch marks (known as striae albae) have begun healing. The collagen damage may be more permanent, and the marks might not be as responsive to topical treatments.
But no matter how your stretch marks are presenting themselves right now, don’t give up hope. We’ll show you how to get rid of stretch marks postpartum below.
How to Get Rid of Stretch Marks Postpartum
Your options for addressing postpartum stretch marks depend on the stage they’re in. The first thing you should do is try topical treatments alongside diet and lifestyle changes.
Stretch Mark Cream
Not all pregnancy stretch mark oils or creams work the same way. Most products on the market are overhyped moisturizers. Studies have shown that cocoa butter, despite being the most popular ingredient in stretch mark products, doesn’t really perform any better than placebo.2
One ingredient that does have clinical backing as a stretch mark treatment is Centella Asiatica. Also known as Gotu Kola, it is endorsed by the AAD and shown to be effective in easing the appearance of stretch marks.1
The other ingredient you should look for is hyaluronic acid - specifically, a product with multiple molecular weights of hyaluronic acid. This ingredient works deep into the skin to deliver hydration where it’s needed most (the dermis, where stretch marks form).
8 Sheep Organics is widely considered to be the best stretch mark cream because it contains both of those ingredients. It’s handmade in small batches right here in the USA and backed by a 100-day money-back guarantee. It can help minimize the appearance of stretch marks while they’re still in the striae rubrae phase.
Diet and Lifestyle Changes
You should nourish your skin from within while applying stretch mark cream consistently. Staying hydrated is of the utmost importance. It will help keep your skin elastic during recovery.
As far as nutrition goes, these nutrients matter most: Vitamin C, vitamin E, zinc, and omega-3 fatty acids. All of them support skin repair and elasticity. You can consume them through citrus, leafy greens, nuts, seeds, and fatty fish.
You might even look into a collagen supplement or other skincare supplements to help give your body the raw building blocks it needs to start repairing the damage after delivery. Just make sure anything you put in or on your body is safe while breastfeeding.
Professional Treatments
Postpartum stretch marks may have started turning silvery white already. These types are less responsive to topical treatments, so you may need to talk to your dermatologist about what options you’re left with.
The first that may come up is a prescription retinoid treatment. It can work really well according to clinical studies.5 But these are generally not safe during breastfeeding, either. They won’t be the right fit for your stretch marks while you’re nursing.
Microneedling is another professional treatment that showed impressive improvements.6 Laser therapy can help with color and texture, too. But the key takeaway from the AAD is that there’s no one-size-fits-all treatment for stretch marks.7
Do Postpartum Stretch Marks Go Away?
We get asked all the time whether stretch marks fade after pregnancy or not. We wish we had a better answer for you. It depends on their current state.
Red and purple marks fade the most, as we’ve said throughout our conversation on postpartum stretch marks. It might take 6-12 months to notice an improvement after delivery, though.
In contrast, white or silvery marks suggest that the skin has already “healed” itself. Those are scars at that point, and the goal turns to damage control at this point.
This is why setting yourself up for success with the right stretch mark products early on is so important. Better late than never!
Frequently asked questions
Do postpartum stretch marks go away?
They can fade, but they rarely disappear completely. Red or purple marks are easier to treat because they haven’t started healing yet, so there’s less scar tissue to work against. White or silver marks are more permanent.
How to reduce postpartum stretch marks?
The best advice we have to offer on how to get rid of stretch marks postpartum is to start making an effort as early as you can - ideally, before delivery. The sooner you start using stretch mark cream during pregnancy, the better odds you have of preventing or at least diminishing them. Add a proven stretch mark product to your daily ritual, like 8 Sheep Organics. Make diet and lifestyle changes as well. If none of this works, you may have to consider professional treatments.
Does Bio-Oil or Mederma work for stretch marks?
We see Bio-Oil vs Mederma compared all the time, as they’re two of the top options for treating stretch marks postpartum. But the actual evidence for these is relatively thin. We recommend trying 8 Sheep Organics first. After all, it’s backed by a 100-day money-back guarantee.
References
- Mallol J, et al. Prophylaxis of striae gravidarum with a topical formulation. A double blind trial. International Journal of Cosmetic Science. 1991;13(1):51-57. PubMed
- Osman H, et al. Cocoa butter lotion for prevention of striae gravidarum: a double-blind, randomised and placebo-controlled trial. BJOG. 2008;115(9):1138-1142. PubMed
- Chang AL, et al. Risk factors associated with striae gravidarum. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. 2004;51(6):881-885. PubMed
- Farahnik B, et al. Striae gravidarum: Risk factors, prevention, and management. International Journal of Women's Dermatology. 2017;3(2):77-85. PubMed
- Kang S, et al. Topical tretinoin (retinoic acid) improves early stretch marks. Archives of Dermatology. 1996;132(5):519-526. PubMed
- Microneedle radiofrequency for striae distensae: systematic review and meta-analysis. Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. 2024. PubMed
- American Academy of Dermatology. Stretch marks: Why they appear and how to get rid of them. AAD
