MOTHERHOOD IS UNDOUBTEDLY one of life?s miracles. The joy it brings to family is immeasurable. After two pregnancies however, I feel worn-out and in need of a makeover.

Personally, I feel there should be a support group for us who have just given birth. Post-partum depression is something we can actually fight by being proactive. Thinking of ways to get our pre-pregnancy body back is a good way to get out of the rut. Not only does our body change but so does our skin. Some changes are permanent but most aren?t, and that?s what we should focus on.

During one of my not-so-good days I call Dr. Aivee Aguilar Teo and tell her my concerns. Luckily she obliged and even gave me a list of non-invasive treatments I can do. Just knowing there can be something done actually made me feel good. I first e-mailed my friends who have just also given birth and it excited them. According to Dr. Teo here are the top seven ?makeover? treatments that can be done post partum.

1. Warts and skin-tag treatment

Most pregnant women develop tiny polyps or skin tags as well as flat warts (verruca plana) all over the face, neck and body especially on folds such as armpits and under the breasts. Electrocautery is the treatment of choice and can be done immediately after giving birth.

2. Pigmentation treatments

High levels of estrogen, progesterone and melanocyte stimulating hormones cause skin darkening especially on nipples, genital area and armpits towards the second trimester of pregnancy. Oftentimes, women also experience darkening of the facial skin called melasma. Discoloration may disappear after giving birth. However, if it persists, treatment is necessary.

Topical bleaching creams containing licorice and arbutin may be started after giving birth to facilitate the lightening of areas but stronger depigmenting creams containing hydroquinone, Retin-A and oral whitening tablets may be used after breastfeeding has been completed.

Treatments such as diamond peels and intense pulse light therapy (IPL) may be done immediately after pregnancy to rejuvenate skin but for strong chemical peels and laser peels, it?s best is to wait for a few months as discoloration may still disappear spontaneously.

3. Hair-regrowth treatments

Most pregnant women experience thinning of hair. This condition is known as telogen effluvium and is caused by a shift of the hair to telogen or resting phase (hair shedding).

However, if hair thinning is quite alarming, these treatments may be done. Mesohair involves injecting vitamins into the scalp to stimulate hair growth and prevent hair loss. This can be done once or twice a week for at least 10 sessions. Hair Rejuvenation laser (Revage 670) uses low level laser to stimulate the scalp by dilating blood vessels and increasing circulation to the hair follicles. Twice a week for 20 sessions are recommended and can only be started after breastfeeding.

4. Stretch-mark treatment

Stretch marks are something that many pregnant women worry about. These colored indentations on the skin can be found on the abdomen, thighs and breasts. They are the unfortunate side effects of childbirth. This is caused by rupture of dermal collagen due to overstretching of the skin during pregnancy.

Carboxytherapy (involves injecting small amounts of carbon dioxide just below the surface of the skin) is the treatment of choice because it allows formation and restructuring of the collagen matrix. Weekly sessions are recommended for a minimum of 10 sessions.

5. Cellulite treatment

Cellulite are unwanted buildup of cottage cheese like fat deposits mostly on the back of the thighs, hips and buttocks commonly seen during pregnancy.

Laser therapy that uses light energy and radio frequency (Velashape) combined with mechanical rollers and vacuum suction is very effective in treating cellulite. It causes deep-tissue heating increasing the metabolism of fat. Treatments can be done once a week for 10 weeks.

6. Body-contouring and tightening treatments

Excess weight gain, fat deposits or looseness of skin are common problems post-partum. These fat deposits may respond to disciplined exercise and dietary changes. But if these don?t work, mesotherapy, combined with radio frequency and ultrasound body contouring treatments may be done.

Radio frequency (accent/thermage) has an additional skin tightening effect to help treat skin laxity in the abdominal area.

It?s best to wait three to six months after childbirth or after breastfeeding to allow the body to heal or regain hormonal balance before starting these treatments.

7. Spider/varicose-vein treatment

Spider veins are collections of little group of capillaries in the superficial layers of the skin. Treatments include laser vein treatment or sclerotherapy. Sclerotherapy is a minimally invasive intradermal injection of a solution introduced directly into the vein that causes them to fade and disappear whereas Laser vein removal uses light to be absorbed by the blood vessels and causes targeted veins to burst, collapse or shrink. Treatments are done once a month for at least five sessions.

Not all treatments are for everyone but generally these are the changes you?ll want to get rid of. Go to your physician and ask if these are for you although looking at your baby can make you forget all these concerns.