How To Prevent Stretch Marks After Pregnancy

October 10, 2021

What Can Be Done To Prevent Stretch Marks

How to prevent stretch marks during pregnancy!

The following articles are provided by organizations partnering with the American Pregnancy Association to provide tips on what can be done to prevent stretch marks. The mention of specific products or services does not constitute a recommendation or endorsement by the APA unless it is explicitly stated.

When Do I Start Using Stretch Mark Creams During Pregnancy

You can use them as early as you want, in fact, the earlier the better, because even if your skin isnt stretching yet, the creams will still provide your skin with hydration. That being said, when you move into maternity pants and your belly is starting to show, thats a good time to start using the cream to support your skin as it stretches out.

“Stretch marks happen from the sudden weight or volume changes and are not really improved with the more common OTC regimen of a cocoa butter like product that has been touted as preventative,” says Dr. Allenby.

Exfoliate At Least Once Per Week

You can help your skin repair and rejuvenate itself by exfoliating anywhere you see stretch marks beginning to appear, at least once a week. This will help eliminate the top layer of skin where stretch marks are forming. You can buy naturally derived exfoliating creams at your local drug store, or you can use baking soda if you like natural solutions from home. Try exfoliating in the morning, after your skin completed its natural reparative process during sleep. Make sure you cover all the areas, such as thighs, belly, breast, and hips.

Home Remedies For Pregnancy Stretch Marks

Pregnancy causes a lot of changes in the mothers body, with weight gain and subsequent change in body shape being the most obvious ones. When stretch marks appear during the last trimester of the pregnancy, you rush to the older generation of mothers and grandmothers, hoping to find a quick cure for them. There are quite a few home remedies that can help an expectant mother or a new mother to lighten stretch marks to a great extent. Read on to find a recipe for the best lotion for stretch marks!

Other Creams And Lotions

Best Natural Way To Prevent Stretch Marks During Pregnancy ...

If you find that retinol or Retin-A creams and lotions are irritating to your skin and stretch marks, like peeling, you may wish to find other over the counter options. The research into the effectiveness of these products to prevent and treat stretch marks is lacking. These creams and lotions might offer some benefit, but you should still talk to your doctor before using them.

Vitamin C

Centella Asiatica

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Nourish Your Skin From The Inside

Keep taking your prenatal vitamin, which helps ensure youre getting enough of a variety of nutrients that support both your babys development and your skin health.

Eating plenty of vitamin C-rich foods like peppers, citrus and strawberries may also make your skin less subject to stretch marks. Vitamin C promotes collagen and tissue production, which helps keep skin strong and elastic.

While its far from proven to work, getting enough vitamin D in your diet may also help with stretch marks, and it certainly cant hurt. Load up on fatty fish, fortified dairy or dairy substitutes, and eggs, all of which are chock full of vitamin D, plus other pregnancy-friendly vitamins and nutrients .

Eating Well For Good Skin

1Stay hydrated. Drinking plenty of water keeps your skin healthy and reduces your chances of developing stretch marks. Try to drink approximately two liters per day.XTrustworthy SourceMayo ClinicEducational website from one of the world’s leading hospitalsGo to source

2Eat a healthy diet. A balanced, nutritious diet is good for your overall health, and can also reduce your chances of developing stretch marks. Supplements are not necessary to prevent stretch marks, but you should try to get enough of certain vitamins and minerals that can help protect against stretch marks.XTrustworthy SourceNational Health Service Public healthcare system of the UKGo to sourceXResearch source

3Increase your intake of vitamin E. Vitamin E helps to regenerate the skin and increase its elasticity, and to repair body tissues and promote blood flow. Vitamin E also encourages the production of collagen, a protein found in the skin and elsewhere that helps wounds heal, including stretch marks. You can get more vitamin E by choosing certain foods, and perhaps from certain skin creams.

Foods high in vitamin E include: eggs, fortified cereals, fruit, green leafy vegetables , meat, nuts, nut oils, poultry, olive oil, and whole grains.XTrustworthy SourceMayo ClinicEducational website from one of the world’s leading hospitalsGo to source

Creams containing vitamin E aren’t likely to prevent stretch marks as such.XResearch source However, they may help with itching and skin dryness.XResearch source

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What Are Stretch Marks

Stretch marks, known as striae gravidarum in pregnancy, are basically a type of scar.

They look like indented streaks on your skin. They can be pink, red, black, blue, or purple. It all depends on:

how theyre caused
where they are on your body

how old they are

Sometimes, when stretch marks first appear, they can feel slightly raised, but eventually theyll just feel like slight depressions in your skin.

When they first show up, they might also be itchy.

Implement Vitamin C In Your Diet

PREVENTING STRETCH MARKS IN PREGNANCY | 5 tips & tricks.

Vitamin C can be found in citrus fruits such as lemons, oranges, and tangerines. This vitamin is the nutrient for the development of collagen. Collagen is responsible for keeping your skin elastic and strong. This is why there are many antiaging products with collagen as a component. Vitamin C consumption will help you reduce stretch marks from appearing in larger quantities. You can also implement vitamins in the form of supplements.

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Is It Possible To Get Rid Of Stretch Marks

Stretch marks eventually get lighter with time but will never disappear completely. Though you may not get rid of them in a natural way, certain remedies might help in minimizing their appearance . You may consider some massaging creams, lotions, and oils that may turn your skin smooth and supple.

Over the months and may be years, the marks gradually turn into fine lines which are almost closer to your skin tone. Though you may have to bear the natural battle scars, they become less visible in three to six months after delivery, write Janet Arenson and Patricia Drake in their book Quick Look Nursing: Maternal and Newborn Health.

How To Prevent Stretch Marks During Pregnancy

While genetics and rapid weight gain are two main factors for developing stretch marks , it is totally possible to prevent the tearing of your skin from overstretching as your bump is starting to grow, so do not get discouraged ahead of time.

Usually, if stretch marks appear during pregnancy, they will do so in the last couple of months when your belly is growing rapidly. Hormonal changes may also affect your skins elasticity, thus in order to minimise the risks of getting stretch marks, the best way is to gain weight steadily.

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Start A New Skin Care Regimen To Prevent Stretch Marks

1Practice dry brushing. Exfoliating your skin using a dry brush improves your circulation and keeps your skin healthy. Its recommended as a way to reduce the appearance of stretch marks that have already formed, but dry brushing can also be used as a preventative technique.

Use a dry brush made from natural fibers. The bristles should be stiff, but not too tough.

Start from the bottom of your legs and brush your skin upward toward your heart. Focus on areas where stretch marks might become a problem, like your buttocks and abdomen. When you’re finished brushing, take a shower to wash away the dead skin cells.

Don’t use a dry brush on your breasts, since the skin there is more sensitive and could be damaged by brushing.

2Don’t use harsh chemicals on your skin. Many commercial body washes contain sulfates, which can dry out your skin and reduce its elasticity over time. Choose a cleanser made with natural oils that will hydrate your skin, rather than making it lose too much moisture.

Coconut oil can act as a healthy skin cleanser. Rub it over your skin, rinse with warm water, and pat your skin dry with a soft towel.

It may not be necessary to use a cleanser on your skin, especially if it’s prone to becoming dry. Wash your skin with lukewarm water and pat it dry.

Moisturize your skin in the morning after bathing and again at night. If you notice itching where your skin is being stretched, that is a sign to add more moisturizer in that area.

Shea Butter Or Cocoa Butter

Pin on How to Prevent Pregnancy Stretch Marks I I Natural ...

Shea or cocoa butter can be used just like oil treatment. They are also the primary ingredients present in most of the body lotions.

Take some shea or cocoa butter and apply on the stretch marks regularly. Rinse off the area after some time.

This remedy improves the skin elasticity, prevents dryness and reduces the stretch marks. Cocoa butter is an excellent moisturizer and helps nourish your skin.

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Treat Them As Soon As They Appear

If youre not comfortable with stretch marks, the best way to diminish their effect is by treating them as soon as they appear, the good thing is, youll have all the information you need in this article, so read on!

So now that you know some ways of prevention and/or preparation of your skin, its time we get into some of the ways you can heal or erase stretch marks after a pregnancy.

Its Important you Focus on Fading your Stretch Marks

We never get tired of saying it: Yes, you can treat your stretch marks after they appear, but they wont disappear completely.

This is why its important you know that any treatment will improve fading, but not the complete disappearance of stretch marks. Remember, the best time to treat them is as soon as they appear when they are in the reddish stage. Its good to know that there is no magic spell, and its OK to start embracing the stretch marks as a new part of your body but still knowing there are ways you can help your body to heal them.

What Are The Most Common Causes Of Stretch Marks

Thanks to rapid, concentrated weight gain across the belly, pregnancy often results in stretch marks on the stomach. Other common causes are fast growth during puberty or bodybuilding, oral and topical steroid treatments and some medical conditions that affect hormones, such as Cushing syndrome and liver disease.

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Exercising During Pregnancy To Promote Healthy Skin

1Exercise moderately. Exercise has a host of benefits for pregnant women, including mood enhancement, stress relief, relief from discomforts like backaches, weight control, and the promotion of healthy skin and the possible avoidance of stretch marks. Safe, moderate exercise at least three times per week is recommended.XTrustworthy SourceCleveland ClinicEducational website from one of the world’s leading hospitalsGo to source

Follow your doctorâs advice if he or she gives you different recommendations for exercise, or instructs to you avoid strenuous physical activity during pregnancy.

You can exercise at approximately your pre-pregnancy level, but don’t overdo it. Your heart rate should stay without about 70 percent of your target rate .

Try moderate activities such as swimming, brisk walking, stationary cycling, yoga, and aerobics.

Avoid exercises which can cause injury, including: horseback riding, contact sports , hopping, jumping, skipping, bouncing, or running, and sit-ups.

2Exercise in the right environment. You can prevent discomfort and possible health problems by avoiding exercise in hot and humid weather. You should also avoid hot tubs, saunas, and steam rooms. When exercising during pregnancy, you should be able to breathe normally.

3Dress appropriately for exercise. Loose-fitting comfortable clothes, and a good support bra are recommended for exercise. Footwear should be appropriate to your exercise, but must always be comfortable and good-fitting.

Use Stretcheal Stretch Marks Prevention Cream:

How To Avoid Stretch Marks During Pregnancy

The Best Stretch Marks Solution An active stretch marks treatment that can be used to treat stretch marks asides the precautionary measures listed above is StretchHeal stretch mark removal cream. StretchHeal is specially formulated with active plant extracts and other nourishing ingredients, to help get rid of stretch marks on the stomach, breasts and other parts of the body.

StretchHeal is the best stretch mark cream on the market, the solution you have been searching for.

This cream is all shades of action, and it is the best stretch mark and scars defense cream, and also the most effective stretch mark prevention cream during pregnancy and after.

Be it your first, second, or third trimester, StretcHeal stretch mark cream post pregnancy will keep your skin glowing and flawless all through the stages of your pregnancy.

There you have it, you dont have to be scared or worried of how to prevent stretch marks during pregnancy, and after you give birth, these three tips will guide you in having a flawless and glowing skin all through.Place an order today! for more details click here.

Causes Of Stretch Marks After Pregnancy

Scientifically speaking, our skin is an amalgamation of three layers: the hypodermis or subcutaneous , the dermis and the epidermis . The stretch marks that you see are formed on the dermis when rapid contraction or expansion causes the skin to test its elasticity to the limit. Stretch marks caused during pregnancy are generally due to quick weight gain or burgeoning of the baby inside. The dermis below the topmost layer of your skin tears which exposes the layer beneath and thus causes stretch marks.

Stretch marks are a direct result of the expansion or stretching of the skin as you gain weight and your body bloats during pregnancy. Remember, your body is trying to make as much space as possible for your baby, and this leads to a constant tugging and stretching which leads to pregnancy stretch marks.

What Are Stretch Marks Best Way To Get Rid Of Pregnancy Stretch Marks

Stretch marks are lines or bands brought on by stretching of the skins connective cells.

Stretch marks discolor to a white or silver color over time. Although they are not physically painful, they can be damaging in serious situations.

When the middle layer of skin extends also quickly, several of its collagen fibers can damage.

This enables underlying capillary to show through, leaving behind the obvious red or purplish marks.

In time, they discolor to a white or silver shade as blood vessels heal. Once they show up, the marks do not normally go away fully.

Stretch marks are not physically uncomfortable, yet they can affect an individuals confidence and also self-confidence. They can be disfiguring in extreme instances.

Experts have actually tried for years to locate a reliable treatment for these marks.

Sadly, no therapy has been revealed to remove them completely. New means of dealing with stretch marks are emerging, nonetheless, as well as a few of them reveal promise.

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Eat For Skin Elasticity

The way we eat overall is extremely important in our skin elasticity. Eating for skin elasticity would include eating a diet rich in collagen including bone broths and gelatin, vitamin A, C, and E, and keeping a good balance of omega 3:6 ratio. This includes things like eating grass-fed and free range meats and eggs. Drinking raw whole milk from cattle that were grass-fed. Eating organic and locally grown vegetables. Fermented cod liver oil is also very beneficial. Eating in this manner isnt just for skin elasticity but for fertility and healthy babies.

Why Trust Verywell Family

Cheryl Lock is a Denver-based writer with expertise in parenting and family content. She uses both personal and professional experience in sourcing the best products. Key considerations she used when writing this include efficacy, price, and user reviews.

Ashley Ziegler is a full-time parenting writer and mom to a 2-year-old and a 4-year-old. She has personal experience in researching and purchasing a variety of parenting products, including stretch mark creams for pregnancy and postpartum.

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Best Overall: Burt’s Bees Mama Belly Butter With Shea Butter And Vitamin E

Thick texture takes time to rub in
Requires three applications a day to see results

For something sensual and hard-working, check out Palmers Cocoa Butter Formula Massage Lotion for Stretch Marks. Another Amazons Choice product, this crowd favorite is made with a special skin-strengthening formula thats safe for all skin types and has the results to back it up. Let the vitamin E work its magic while you enjoy a massage that smells great, thanks to shea butter and cocoa extracts.

Formula Type: Lotion | Quantity: 8.5 oz

The Truth About Pregnancy Stretch Marks

Many things change after you have a baby: schedules, sleep time, and sense of freedom, to name a few.

Along with a changing schedule, there are the many physical changes youll see. Chief among them is stretch marks. For many women, stretch marks are as much a part of having a baby as diapers and feedings.

My belly was so itchy and tight when I was pregnant — and sure enough, I noticed the lines as my tummy grew,” says Maggie Shaw, a 38-year-old mom in San Francisco. “They got even worse after my second pregnancy.”

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