Like baby fat, stretch mark is one thing women try to avoid during and after pregnancy. The once flawless skin now lined with stripes and marks in their belly, bum, arms can be annoying.
Some women are so lucky, hardly having any stretch marks even after several pregnancies. And for some others, even just after one child, the stretch mark keeps spreading.
Genetics, pregnancy, puberty, and the nature of the job are factors that can cause stretch marks on the body.
If you are uncomfortable with tiger stripes and straits on the body, especially during and after pregnancy, you need to know how to prevent stress marks during pregnancy.
To begin, let’s address the first question what a stretch mark is? Stretch marks, also known as tiger stripes, are the long stripes or lines that line the skin, usually caused by stretching the skin either too rapidly or losing its elasticity.
The skin is elastic. When rapid or excessive stretching occurs, the collagen fibers underneath the skin layers break up and show red, purplish, or pinkish lines depending on the skin tone.
The stretch marks or stripes are the scars that result from this stretching. Stretch marks can be found anywhere, in the belly, thighs, abdomen, breasts, etc. And though they affect men, .the majority of people affected are women.
With time, stretch marks fade off to become lighter. But despite that, it could still be an inconvenience to some women. As the fetus grows and the belly expands, it thinners the skin and causes stretch marks. After birth, as the uterus shrinks, it can also cause stretch marks.
Most times during pregnancy, one thing that we notice is the itching feeling of the belly. When we can’t help but scratch and keep scratching the belly, this is a sign of the onset of the stretch mark.
To some stretch mark doesn’t mean a thing, but to some other women, it makes them feel totally off, and they start finding ways on how to prevent stretch marks during pregnancy as much as possible.
While doctors do not confirm that there is 100 percent treatment or prevention of stretch marks, there are several remedies you can use to prevent or reduce the occurrence of stretch marks during pregnancy.
1. Maintain A Healthy And Stable Weight During Pregnancy
The first step to ensure that you do not get a stretch mark or reduce stretch marks in pregnancy is to have a belly-only pregnancy. (Check out this article on how to have a belly-only pregnancy).
Women usually find it hard to control weight during pregnancy. Please don’t blame them; the cravings can be hard to manage sometimes. But while pregnant, know you have to eat healthy for you and the baby and to have a smooth and easy delivery.
If you find it hard to maintain your weight during pregnancy, you will get stretch marks in your belly, arms, thighs, and other areas. Like we see in bodybuilders and some teenagers during puberty.
So while you will add some weights as the pregnancy progresses, keep tabs on the weight and what you eat. Let weight gain be gradual, not spontaneous, so it doesn’t lead to an excessive expansion of the skin and most importantly, let the weight be ideal.
2. Moisturise
Start as early as possible. If you have been into the routine of moisturizing your skin even before pregnancy, it would be a great plus.
If not, when you find out you’re pregnant and start moisturizing the skin around the belly, butt, hips, arms, and anywhere you feel you need. The dryness of the skin plays a huge impact on the occurrence of stretch marks.
When the skin is dry, the fibers around on the surface start breaking out, but with moisturizers, the skin elasticity is retained, and it is less prone to tear; when the pregnancy girth starts expanding and you begin adding some weight.
Also, moisturizers help you with the needed pregnancy glow. There are tons of moisturizing oils, serums, creams, and even pills you can use for massage. Massaging continuously is a great way on how to prevent stretch marks during pregnancy.
3. Eat Right
Eating a healthy, wholesome, balanced meal is sure to help you avoid stretch marks in pregnancy because you may be prone to stretch marks when you lack some essential nutrients.
Skip the junks and eat a healthy balanced diet that will build up the body. Eat protein-rich foods, like beans, lean meat, fish, etc. Mix it with the right amount of carbs and vitamins.
4. Drink Enough Fluids
Fluids are a pregnant woman’s best friend. While pregnant, fluids will be used up by the baby in the womb and for many other processes that would take place in the body.
You don’t want to get dehydrated at this time, so it would be best if you take lots of fluids to up your fluid intake. Keep a bottle close by so you don’t have to stand up every time you want to drink water.
Water and other fluids keep the skin moisturized and hydrated, preventing the onset of stretch marks. You should avoid taking caffeinated drinks and too many sugary fluids. Natural fruit smoothies, water, chocolate drinks should be your choice.
5. Eat Food That Boosts Healthy Skin
Food like vitamins and protein replenishes your skin and repairs one worn-out tissue. They should make up part of your diet as a pregnant woman.
Take food rich in vitamin C, Vitamin D, Zinc, and proteins. Vitamin C especially helps in the absorption of collagen, which is very useful in maintaining the skin’s elasticity, keeping it stretch marks and wrinkle-free.
So a blend of vegetables and citrus fruits like lemon, oranges, grapes are nice options to pick. Vitamin D makes up part of your prenatal vitamins. Not only does it helps the growing fetus develop, but it also reduces the risks of having stretch marks and wrinkles.
A walk in the morning sun or taking yogurts and prenatal vitamins can give you the needed dose of vitamin D. Foods that contain zinc like fish and nuts helps promote healthy skin, so they play a role in stretch mark prevention.
6. Take Appropriate Steps Immediately You Notice Stretch Marks
Once you notice stretch marks, the chances of getting rid of them easily while it is still fresh are high when you take action.
You can see your doctor, who will prescribe various treatments to treat the fresh stretch mark. Using pulsed die therapy, microdermabrasion technique, massaging with bitter almond oil, Shea butter, cocoa butter, coconut oil, and creams continuing retinoid are some of the methods you can use to treat fresh stretch mark.
Fresh stretch marks, which are usually red, are mild inflammation from the tear. If treated early, it can fade off easily. Compared to the old silver or white tiger stripes. Your doctor will prescribe one of the treatments which are best for you during pregnancy.
7. Minimize Direct Exposure To Sunlight And Use Sunscreen Always
UV light from the sun’s rays causes damage to the skin’s collagen and elastin. It can make the skin prone to stretching and stretch marks.
While a healthy dose of early morning sunshine is good for Vitamin D., Avoid extreme exposure to sun rays. At the time, you are on the go. Always apply sunscreen, regularly at least every two hourly when outdoor.
8. Regular Exercise
It is important not to miss out on Exercise during pregnancy. Pregnancy-appropriate exercises like Kegel, Yoga, etc., helps avoid excessive weight gain, which can lead to expansion of the skin and unwanted stretch marks.
It keeps you fit and stronger and helps boost blood circulation, which helps replenish the skin.
9. Stop The Use Of Steroids Containing Creams
These creams are used to prevent itches or rashes. The cortisone in steroid creams or corticosteroids can weaken collagen of the skin and result in stretch marks.
There are many other creams you can try if you have to use any such creams while pregnant. Please discuss your concerns about stretch marks with your doctor so he can prescribe other anti-itch creams not containing corticosteroids.
How To Prevent Stretch Marks During Pregnancy Using Coconut Oil
Coconut oil contains medium-chain fatty acids and free fatty acids like capric acid, and It is easily absorbed into the skin.
Pure virgin coconut oil has natural healing properties, antiviral and anti fungi properties. It is also a good moisturizer for the skin and is involved in wound healing.
Plus, it helps dry skin and damaged skin. With its many properties, coconut oil plays a great role in stretch marks prevention and removal. Stretch marks result from scars of overstretching of the skin.
Constant application of coconut oil causes healing and reduction of appearance. It also prevents any future stretch marks because it helps moisturize the skin and improves collagen turnover.
Home Remedies To Prevent Stretch Mark
1. Sugar
It is a form of Microdermabrasion technique used to prevent stretch marks. When you rub sugar to scrub in the stretch mark areas, it exfoliates and fades off. To make sugar scrubs, measure ¼ One cup of sugar to add argan or coconut oil. Add lemon juice and use it to exfoliate the area of the stretch mark.
2. Aloe Vera
It can serve as a natural stretch mark home remedy because it has healing properties and it helps soften the skin. Scrape out Aloe Vera gel and rub it on your tiger stripes.
3. Vitamin A/ Retinoid
it is used in many cosmetic products because it helps the appearance of skin. You can take Vitamin A capsules with your doctor’s direction or rub the oil at stretch mark prone areas. Eating meals rich in vitamin A is a great way to help prevent stretch marks during pregnancy from inside out.
4. Take Hydrouronic Acid To Stimulate Collagen Production
5. Argan Oil Helps Increase Skin Elasticity
So rubbing a little on the stretch marks regularly can help heal the stretched skin and the stretch mark fading off.
6. Raw Egg White
It contains amino acids, which help to light the stretch mark. It also helps skin tightening.
7. Potato Juice
Blend potatoes and strain out the juice. Rub on the places with stretch marks. Potatoes juice is a natural bleaching agent and helps to lighten the skin.
8. Olive Oil
Rich in antioxidants and other vitamins, you can apply this on the stretch mark to fade away over time.
9. Castor Oil
it is also super useful. Use it to massage the body, especially areas with the stretch mark or prone to stretch marks.
10. Apricots
Blend apricots and rub the juice on the baby bum. Rinse out with warm water after several minutes. Do this every other week for the best results.
11. Black Tea Is Packed Full Of Vitamins And Minerals
steep a bag of black tea in hot water with some salt. Allow to cool and spread on the areas prone to stretch marks. It is a great and easy way on how to prevent stretch marks during pregnancy.
12. Lemon Juice
It is known as a natural bleaching agent. Bleach out the tiger stripes by applying lemon juice or wedge on the stretch marks areas.
When To Start Using Stretch Marks Creams In Pregnancy
There are a couple of stretch mark creams, lotions, balms out there. Each manufacturer gives directions on how and when best to use these products.
Generally, most stretch marks creams are used as soon as a woman knows she is pregnant. Except otherwise stated by a Doctor, use as soon as possible. However, do well to read the manufacturer’s instructions and direction of the product you are using.
Best Creams To Prevent Stretch Marks
There are tons of creams, oils, and serums out there,
made with the best ingredients, suitable for pregnant women to help prevent stretch marks. Here are 10 of our best picks:
1. Glow organics.
2. Belly Butter.
3. Mustela stretch mark cream.
4. Bio-oil, skincare oil.
5. Munchkin milk makers all-natural belly balm.
6. Burdie tip.
7. Burts Bees mama bee.
8. Palmers cocoa butter massage lotion.
9. Earths Mama Belly Butter.
10. Pipette Belly oil.
As you walk through your pregnancy journey, the stretch mark is one of the many other changes you will likely experience.
With the tips and remedies listed above, I believe you would have found answers on how to prevent stretch marks during pregnancy.
Save this for later mama!
