How to prevent stretch marks during pregnancy.

 

There are many physical changes to your skin, both pleasurable and painful, attributed to your pregnancy. The common skin change that most pregnant women experience is the appearance of stretch marks at any given point during their pregnancy. Stretch marks are separations of the outer layers of skin caused by the overstretching of underlying layers. In this post, I am going to give you easy tips on how to prevent stretch marks during pregnancy. Ready? Let’s get started.

Besides pregnant women, let’s remember that stretch marks can also be found on children who are obese, adolescents who have a sudden growth spurt during puberty and athletes, and bodybuilders who do constant exercises. The most commonly affected areas by stretch marks are hips, abdomen, breasts, thighs, and buttocks. Stretch marks are itchy reddish marks.

In pregnancy, heredity plays a vital role in determining who will have and will not have stretch marks. If your mother has had them, the chances are that you will get them too, unless you were born with stretchy skin. There is no sure shot remedy for stretch marks as mostly they fade after delivery. The only way to avoid stretch marks is to prevent them.

Here you have the most essential tips on How to prevent stretch marks during pregnancy

1. Skin Massages.

Massage with vitamin E or olive oil on the abdomen areas from the start of your pregnancy. Massage it liberally over the marks after a shower. In case you skip a shower, clean the area with a wet cloth, and then apply the oil. Cocoa butter reduces stretch marks and helps to keep the skin supple.

Wear a glove and massage your skin to increase circulation.

While massaging your body with body oil, add coconut and almond oil. Daily massage with Olive oil, flax-seed oil, cod liver oil or vitamin E oil after shower or before sleeping is an excellent home remedy for either preventing or treating stretch marks.

Recipe for a natural skin oil to prevent stretch marks. 

To make stretch mark cream, mix 1/2 cup cocoa butter, 1 tsp wheat germ oil, 1 tsp apricot kernel oil, vitamin E oil, and 2 tsp grated beeswax. Heat the mixture until cocoa butter and beeswax melt, stir well, and store in air tight conditioner.

2. Exfoliate your skin.

Exfoliation is a great way to remove dead skin from the top layers of the skin. It allows new cells to renew and increases blood circulation in the area; therefore, it prevents the formation of stretch marks. Experts say that exfoliation is as important as moisturizing to avoid stretch marks.

Make sure that you exfoliate all the affected areas at least a week for better results.

To learn more about how to exfoliate during pregnancy, check out this link. 

3. Stay active during pregnancy if you can.

Regular exercise helps to tone your muscles and keep your skin firm.

Exercise helps your skin maintain its elasticity, regulates, and increases circulation in the body. Walking, swimming, aerobics, cycling, and other cardiovascular exercises can be safely done during pregnancy.

When you exercise, there is an increase in oxygen in the body, which results in better blood circulation, and this will help your skin to be more able to stretch, therefore reducing the appearance of stretch marks. Another benefit of exercising during pregnancy is that it helps your body gain weight gradually, preventing the formation of stretch marks.

Always remember, If you want to exercise during pregnancy, consult your doctor. Follow their advice, and don’t go overboard with it.

My latest video. To visit our YouTube channel, click this link. 

4. Food is medicine.

Plenty of proteins and vitamin C & E foods should be included in your diet. Increase your intake of minerals such as zinc and silica to maintain healthy skin.

Vitamins A, C, and E are great for your skin, especially during pregnancy, and to prevent the stretch marks. Why? Because vitamin A helps in the repair of skin tissue, vitamin E helps keep the skin membranes intact, and vitamin C helps in the production of collagen (an essential component for maintaining the elasticity of the skin and regeneration of the skin cells).

You should also include foods that contain omega-3 fatty acids into your diet, not only will it keep your skin healthy, but also give your skin a natural, healthy glow.

Foods like strawberry, spinach, carrots, seeds, nuts, sweet potato, mangoes, eggs, and walnuts are rich in all these vitamins.

In addition to a healthy diet, it is also important to emphasize that during pregnancy, the intake of a multivitamin would be essential to supply nutritional needs.

Sharing is caring!!

5. Stay hydrated.

Water helps detoxify the cells on the body and helps your skin adjust to the stress of stretching. You can also sip green tea in between to stay hydrated. Green tea is rich in antioxidants and is caffeine-free.

Also, you should eat foods with high water content like watermelons, strawberries, cucumbers, etc.

 

If you enjoy this post, you might also like.

Pregnancy skincare basics. The useful guide.

11 items that you must have during pregnancy.

How to get prepared to manage pain during childbirth.

Early signs of labor.

Final thoughts about How to prevent stretch marks during pregnancy.

Quick recap: To prevent stretch marks, here is what you’ll need to do.

• Skin massages.
• Exfoliate your skin.
• Exercise.
• Stick to a healthy diet.
• Stay hydrated.

As you can see, there are many changes to which we are exposed during pregnancy. For nine months, our skin will undergo a sudden and significant change. Regardless of the reality that stretch marks on a vast majority, is directly related to the genetic load of each woman, it is also possible that, with a few tricks, you can prevent stretch marks before they appear.

I hope this article has helped you a lot.

Zadi, xo

Disclaimer: The medical information on this post is for educational and entertainment use only. Under no circumstances, this information is to replace your doctor’s advice or to treat any disease. For proper care, always visit your doctor.