FAQs about Stretchmarks in Pregnancy?
Author: Dr. Mildred Lopez
Two ingredients that have been shown to help in the prevention of stretchmark formation are Centella asiatica extract and hyaluronic acid. Five products that contain Centella asiatica are:
- Avene Cicalfate cream
- La Roche Posay Cicaplast B5 baume
- Aveeno Calm + Restore
- Bioderma Cicabio cream
- Revitalift Cicacream
What ingredients help once stretchmarks have formed?
The answer is tretinoin 0.05% or higher as well as hyaluronic acid. It is helpful if these are massaged over newly formed stretchmarks that are red or pink in color. Additionally, these ingredients should be applied for at least 6 months in order to see improvement.
Are there any procedures that help minimize the appearance of stretchmarks?
Yes. Resurfacing lasers such as Fraxel® and lasers that target redness such as Excel V® can be used in conjunction to help minimize the appearance of stretchmarks. Other modalities that can be used are microneedling +/- radiofrequency (Morpheus 8®), IPL, PRP injections, microdermabrasion, and even chemical peels.
