Cutis Medical Laser’s Weblog

Every new mom has learned the drill…diaper changing marathons, countless feedings and burpings…but, what she still can’t grasp is the metamorphosis of her body, post pregnancy. Says Kay, new mom:“I had some broken capillaries in my face, you get like this little pouch that won’t go away, and some cellulite in some unmentionable places,” .

Once baby arrives, not only are women thrown into new and overwhelming mommyhood, which can be jolting enough, add into the mix, getting acquainted with the post pregnancy body. “Some of the more common conditions that women complain about in the post pregnancy period are sagging abdominal skin, stretch marks, spider veins, unwanted hair on the body, they see a condition which we call melasma or the mask of pregnancy,” explains Dr. Sylvia Ramirez.

According to Dr. Ramirez, Medical and Scientific Director of Cutis Medical Laser Clinics at 81 Club Street, there are several non-invasive and non-surgical options in treating the face and body for common post pregnancy problems. Stretch marks occur in over 90% of pregnant women. A laser treatment called Laser Genesis, which stimulates collagen growth in the superficial dermis has been shown to improve the appearance of stretch marks if done early enough after pregnancy. Melasma, an abnormal pigmentation in the skin of the forehead and cheeks can also plague the mommy-to-be. Both can be treated with laser and light treatments, including the new “Pearl” rejuvenation, which delivers multiple beams of light to skin, eliminating old epidermal pigmented cells and stimulates collagen production.

Spider veins can also come creeping and crawling during pregnancy. “Spider veins are a collection of little groups of capillaries and the very superficial layers of the skin. We find in pregnancy spider veins are caused by increasing volume of circulating blood in a woman’s body as well as increasing pressure in those veins, there are also some mechanical reasons for increasing pressure of the veins, mainly the pressure of the baby in the uterus pressing on large vein structures,” says Dr. Ramirez. A special laser can remove these unsightly veins, whether these are on your face or on your legs.

In addition, post-pregnancy, many women may have lost the baby weight, but haven’t been able to tighten up the loose stomach skin. This is perfect for the Titan- a light-baesd solution that works to tone, lift and tighten skin in all areas, whether it is the abdomen, the arms, the face or the thighs. This comfortable treatment has no down time, and results in a natural collagen rebuilding process. Depending on the degree of skin laxity, 2-3 treatments may be required. Most patients see results within a few months as new collagen forms producing fresher, younger looking skin.

Dr. Ramirez advises women to wait about three months after the baby is born to start any laser regimen. Women should allow their bodies time to heal and regain hormonal balance.