How to Reduce Postpartum Stretch Marks Naturally
“Will my pregnancy stretch marks go away?” Most moms-to-be have asked this question, which often leads them down a rabbit hole of searching for stretch mark-erasing solutions. If that type of inquiry is what brought you here, you’re in good company!
Many techniques may help reduce stretch marks' appearance after they form — some riskier than others.
Rather than suggesting you spend money and time on costly treatments that will never remove stretch marks completely (sorry to be the bearer of that news), let’s approach this from a different angle: prevention.
Preventing Pregnancy Stretch Marks
As a mother’s body evolves to accommodate a tiny human, the tissue in her body stretches, especially around the belly, breasts, hips, and thighs.
This tissue includes the dermis, which is the second, deeper layer of skin below the top layer (the epidermis). Stretch marks happen when the dermis tears. This means that stretch marks aren’t actually in the epidermis, even though that’s where we see them.
To prevent stretch marks during pregnancy, the dermis must be supported.
3 Ways to Support Your Skin Throughout Pregnancy
Here are a few simple things you can do at home to give your skin what it needs in this magical season of life.
Gentle Massage
Unlike the top layer of your skin, the dermis contains blood vessels and lymph vessels.
Lymph is the fluid that supports health by moving fluids, nutrients, and proteins around your body, getting rid of waste such as bacteria and toxins along the way. That’s why a well-functioning (and well-moving) lymphatic system is key for healthy skin.
Massage is a fantastic way to increase blood and lymph flow, which improves the appearance of your skin from the inside out!
It doesn’t take a lot of pressure to reach the dermis. Simply rubbing your belly or the target area with an open hand and light pressure will do the trick. Using a pregnancy-safe massage oil makes massaging easier.
Make this a part of your daily routine to keep your skin happy and healthy. You can also get a prenatal massage and let the massage therapist do the work for you!
Dry Brushing
Dry brushing is another simple way to stimulate blood and lymph flow throughout the dermis, detoxifying the skin. It also removes dead skin cells, giving you a glowing complexion. Many people find it energizing. What’s not to love?
To practice this stretch mark prevention technique at home, you’ll need a dry body brush, which has course bristles packed closely together.
Dry brushing is typically done after a shower or bath. Starting at your feet (or as low as your beautiful belly allows you to reach!) sweep the brush across your skin in large, circular motions, working your way up your body as you go. Don’t dry brush your face or neck.
Pregnancy-Safe Oils
Some oil blends contain essential oils and other ingredients that aren’t recommended for expecting or breastfeeding mamas. Skip these and use oils that are safe for use during pregnancy and are also highly absorbent.
Absorbency is key because the oils need to reach the deeper layer of skin where the tearing that causes stretch marks occurs.
Some oils, such as olive oil, are heavy and slow to absorb into the dermis. That’s why we use olive oil in our 3-in-1 Diaper Care to create a protective barrier layer. But when it comes to stretch marks, you want lighter oils your skin will drink right up!
Here are some of the best oils for pregnancy stretch marks:
- Safflower oil
- Jojoba oil
- Sunflower oil
- Grapeseed oil
- Apricot kernel oil
Each of these oils has unique properties that support your skin in different ways, helping to keep the skin soft and supple, improve skin elasticity, and prevent and fade stretch marks and scars. Keeping the skin moisturized also helps combat itchiness, which is common when the skin is stretched.
We used all five of these oils in our pregnancy-safe Nourishing Body Oil to give your skin all the nourishment it needs to evolve throughout your journey into motherhood. Pair it with your daily massage for the perfect pregnancy self-care routine.
Love Your Prepartum and Postpartum Skin
Stretch marks are a beautiful sign of motherhood. Instead of trying to get rid of them, we believe they should be celebrated. That means honoring your skin as it changes shape and adjusting your skincare routine to match what it needs right now. You may not be able to prevent them completely, but your skin will thank you for the love!
FAQs About Pregnancy Stretch Marks
Why are pregnancy stretch marks itchy?
Stretch marks are formed in the deep layer of skin known as the dermis. When the dermis stretches and tears, it can be quite itchy. Keeping the skin well moisturized with pregnancy-safe oils can help combat this.
When do pregnancy stretch marks appear?
Every mama is different. Some women don’t notice stretch marks until shortly before delivery, while others notice them sooner, and some mothers don’t get stretch marks at all.
Will pregnancy stretch marks ever go away?
It’s not likely that stretch marks will disappear completely, but they may fade when the skin is supported with methods such as massage, dry brushing, and deep moisturizing.
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