Hello, I am Dr. Ji-in Jung, a board-certified dermatologist. One of the common skin concerns women experience during or after pregnancy is stretch marks. Today, as a dermatologist with personal experience of childbirth, I will explain in detail how to manage and treat stretch marks that do not disappear after delivery.
Why do pregnancy stretch marks occur?
Typically, around the fifth month of pregnancy, the abdomen begins to noticeably expand. At this time, the skin of the lower abdomen, which holds and supports the fetus, amniotic fluid, and placenta, stretches rapidly, causing the inner dermis layer to tear, leading to stretch marks. Pregnancy stretch marks can appear not only on the abdomen but also on the breasts, buttocks, and thighs. This is because subcutaneous fat in other areas also increases to protect the fetus and accumulate nutrients.
The progression of stretch marks: from red to white
Stretch marks often initially appear red due to damage to the dermal layer of the skin. Over time, they turn brown and gradually become white and indented. Since it is not completely white but an area where the skin has thinned, the subcutaneous tissue may show through, appearing slightly purplish or shiny.
Who is prone to pregnancy stretch marks?
Not all pregnant women necessarily develop stretch marks, but the likelihood increases with hormonal influences or if the abdomen becomes very distended. In particular, if your mother or sister experienced stretch marks during pregnancy, there is a possibility that you may also develop them due to genetic factors. Additionally, dry skin can reduce elasticity, making stretch marks more likely to occur. Therefore, paying attention to skin hydration by frequently and sufficiently applying moisturizing creams, oils, and butters containing Centella Asiatica from around the 3rd to 5th month of pregnancy can help prevent stretch marks.
Stretch marks cannot heal naturally
Unfortunately, stretch marks do not disappear naturally.
Many people often think that stretch marks, which were red before childbirth, have 'disappeared' as they gradually turn white after delivery. However, this is merely a process of change in stretch marks, and they do not actually vanish. If stretch marks are not treated early and are left unattended, they will remain in a white form. White stretch marks are difficult to treat and may be harder to improve than early treatment, so it is recommended to start treatment when they are still red.
Red and white stretch marks: What are the treatment options?
-
Red stretch mark treatment:
- If red stretch marks have already appeared, V-beam Vascular Lesion Treatment can significantly alleviate them.
- If red stretch marks remain immediately after childbirth, you may consider using a tretinoin-based vitamin A ointment. However, tretinoin should not be used during pregnancy, and it can be irritating for those with sensitive skin, so we recommend applying it only after thorough consultation with a board-certified dermatologist.
-
White stretch mark treatment:
- White stretch marks are challenging to treat, but improvement is possible.
- At Yonsei Star Dermatology, we consider white stretch marks a type of scar. Since the mid-2000s, we have been applying the panel method for stretch mark treatment, which uses a carbon dioxide laser to create microscopic holes in the skin, regenerating it to resemble the surrounding healthy skin.
- According to research results on the panel method treatment published by our clinic in 2010, improvement was observed in 92.1% of cases, and satisfactory results were achieved in 73.4%.
- Especially, laser treatment has the advantage of being able to be performed with minimal side effects even during pregnancy, after thorough consultation with a board-certified dermatologist. We have observed noticeable improvements even in stretch marks that are over 10 years old. Therefore, if you are concerned about stretch marks, we recommend consulting a board-certified dermatologist with extensive experience in stretch mark treatment.
We have discussed prevention and treatment methods for stretch marks that occur during pregnancy. Early detection and consistent management of stretch marks are important, and they can be significantly improved through professional treatment. If you have any further questions, please consult a board-certified dermatologist.