How To Fight Stretch Marks During Pregnancy
Stretch marks are lines that appear on the skin. They generally appear on areas where fat accumulates, such as the abdomen, buttocks, breasts, or hips. Stretch marks during pregnancy are common.
It is therefore normal for mothers-to-be to think about preventing stretch marks during pregnancy.
In fact, many women suffer from this, especially during the first pregnancy. This is due to the intense stretching of the skin and the hormonal changes.
In general , stretch marks start to form during the second trimester, but they are more common towards the end of pregnancy.
You should know that they are similar to scars and it is impossible to make them disappear completely. However, you can reduce the color and size to make them as inconspicuous as possible.
7 Tips for Fighting Stretch Marks During Pregnancy
Prevention is a fundamental weapon against the appearance of stretch marks. In general, you need to take very good care of your skin to maintain its flexibility.
This should be done especially during pregnancy, as that is when it is most vulnerable to hormonal changes and weight gain. We recommend the following tips to help prevent stretch marks during pregnancy:
1. Keep your skin hydrated every day
The first tip is to use ointment or oil that keeps the skin elastic and hydrated. You should apply them regularly all over the body, especially on the areas where stretch marks are.
We recommend starting this from the beginning of your pregnancy and continuing after the birth, while breastfeeding.
The most suitable ointments are those enriched with vegetable oils. We also recommend using oils such as sweet almond oil, jojoba, shea butter, avocado, wheat germ and olive oil.
2. Watch your weight
The more you weigh, the faster you get stretch marks. When your skin is under tension, more elastic fibers break. These are mainly the fibers in the areas where you gain weight during pregnancy. Examples include your abdomen, hips, or chest.
3. Drink lots of water
If you want to eliminate stretch marks during pregnancy, it is essential to keep your body hydrated. For mothers-to-be who want to have flexible skin, the goal is to drink between 6 and 8 glasses of water a day.
Of course you can also drink tea or vegetable juice. However, try to avoid caffeinated tea and coffee, as well as very sugary soft drinks. Fruit juice can be beneficial in getting vitamins, but you shouldn’t drink too much of it if it’s high in sugar.
4. Eat healthy
BTW, there is no anti-stretch mark food. However, some foods can help you get the necessary vitamins to maintain your body’s elasticity.
Foods that help with this are rich in antioxidants, such as vitamins C and E. You can find these in fruits and vegetables such as kiwi, lettuce, pepper, orange, lime, passion fruit, melon, pineapple, tomato, legumes, vegetable oils and animal proteins.
5. Move a lot
Only do physical activities that your gynecologist or doctor approves. In addition to the usual benefits you get from exercise, physical activities also help prevent stretch marks. It strengthens the muscles and provides good support for the skin.
6. Apply a mild scrub
The first step to fighting and preventing stretch marks is exfoliation. That’s why we recommend replacing your shower gel with a mild exfoliant. Exfoliation causes new cells to be generated to strengthen the skin.
7. Avoid sun exposure
It is best to limit sun exposure during pregnancy. If you have stretch marks, don’t expose them to the sun, as this can make them more visible.
If you want to fight stretch marks during pregnancy, we recommend being patient. In addition, be prepared to face and accept your body’s changes.
Remember that perseverance is important in getting good results. It is not enough to do these treatments just once. But the most important thing is to prevent stretch marks before you get them.