Childbirth: Scared of Stretch Marks?
August 25, 2010 Child Birth & Labor, Laser treatment for stretch marks No CommentsAfter childbirth, a woman becomes a mother and motherhood makes her a complete woman. Yet, there is one aspect of childbirth that every woman dreads, though very few actually speak about it. It is the fear of dreadful stretch marks. Those bright reddish or purplish lines that extend from the lower abdomen to the hips and thighs and don’t seem to disappear no matter which lotion or cream is applied.
Now there is some good news and some bad news. The good news is that freedom from stretch marks is possible. But, the bad news is that it might blow a little hole in your pocket.
The good news - laser treatment for stretch marks
First let us understand the reason behind those scary stretch marks. Under the thin layer of abdominal skin lies a layer of collagen, which is a protein compound. During pregnancy, weight gain causes this layer of collagen to break from frequent stretching. Laser treatment for stretch marks repairs this layer of collagen, seals off any broken blood vessels, removes damaged skin tissues, and repairs middle skin fibers. The procedure is supported by application of a special skin cream that facilitates stretch marks removal. It is painless, non-invasive, safe, and much more effective than other methods of stretch marks removal.
A little bad news - cost and time
The treatment is time consuming, requiring many laser surgeries, and many visits to the doctor. As a doctor would charge for every session, the entire treatment, though, might not cost you an arm and a leg but still would make your purse a lot lighter. Also, laser surgery is not very effective on old stretch marks that have faded or turned white as the laser is unable to detect them.
Precautions
Exposure to sun needs to be avoided 5-6 weeks prior to the treatment. If exposure is unavoidable, then application of sun cream is absolutely essential. Also, avoid smoking prior to the treatment. This precaution is easy for all caring mothers, as they know how harmful cigarette smoke is for their little ones. Most importantly, if you are planning to opt for a laser treatment after childbirth, please see a qualified and experienced doctor. Never go to any of those cheap unregistered clinics. A badly done laser treatment could cause burning sensations at treated skin areas and sometimes could lead to permanent brown skin discoloration.
Laser treatment for stretch marks is a God-sent gift for all those women who dread childbirth because of the resulting stretch marks. It is an effective and safe procedure, but opt for it only after understanding its limitations, costs, precautions, and side effects.