8 Tips To Help You Prevent Stretch Marks During Pregnancy
Stretch marks are fine parallel lines that appear on your skin whenever the skin stretches out due to rapid weight gain or weight loss. They differ in color and pattern, but the condition is equally annoying for everyone who has it. Most of us are not aware of things, which we must do to prevent stretch marks. Pregnancy is the time when women body goes through a lot of changes including weight gain. So chances of getting stretch marks on your body even though you didn’t have it before are high.
Therefore, here are some tips to prevent appearance of stretch marks during your pregnancy
Moisturize, Moisturize, and Moisturize!
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There is no moisturizer which is a miracle cure for stretch marks. But definitely, you will be able to fade the marks with consistent usage. There are many expensive products available for treating stretch marks but natural oils also works great.
Coconut oil and cocoa butter are natural moisturizers that will help to keep your skin hydrated. Coconut oil is a great moisturizer, and it has antifungal and antibacterial properties. Once applied, it gets deeply penetrated into your skin and nourishes it. As it is rich in antioxidants, it also enhances damaged skin and keeps wrinkles at bay.
Cocoa butter and Shea butter are rich in fatty acids, and they are one of the greatest emollients available. They are best in stimulating cell renewal and works well towards preventing and fading stretch marks very effectively.
Give yourself a massage
Rubbing your skin especially around your belly and hips daily with a rich moisturizer helps in new cell growth. Be gentle while doing a massage as the skin around the area is sensitive because it had already stretched too much. It is better to start rubbing at an early stage of your pregnancy. Choose creams, which are rich in Vitamin E and Alpha Hydroxy Acids.
By massaging the skin, you are enhancing the blood circulation in that area which will definitely to help to prevent stretch marks from appearing. You can also use a mix of oil blends such as almond oil, wheat germ oil and vitamin E oil for treating stretch marks. As said from ages, consistency is the key.
Control weight gain
Weight gain is part of the pregnancy which is unavoidable. Not gaining required weight during each trimester is also a bad thing for your baby’s health. “Eat for two” is something which rules the mind of every pregnant woman which is basically wrong. Just because you are pregnant, you don’t have to eat for two people. The baby growing inside you is not a fully-grown adult like you to feed him/her with a lot of food.
You just need to take some extra calories by adding nutritious food to your diet. Having an increased appetite during pregnancy is natural. Try to add more healthy food to your diet instead of fatty foods. Make sure that you put on weight gradually so that it is easy to lose it after your delivery.
Sweat it out
Exercising at the time of pregnancy has many advantages other than preventing stretch mark. It helps to hold your skin’s elasticity by improving blood circulation. It also contributes to keeping your weight gain in check so that you are less likely to develop severe stretch marks. Have a word with your doctor and choose low-impact exercises and stretches which are suitable for pregnant women. Doing kegel exercises and yoga will help you to avoid complications at the time of delivery.
Exfoliate
You need to take extra care of your skin during pregnancy. Exfoliation helps you to get rid of dead skin and keep it healthy. You can try dry brushing which acts as a preventive technique to the appearance of stretch marks. Choose a good quality dry brush which is made from natural fibers so that it will be gentle on your body. Focus on areas where it is possible to have stretch marks like abdomen, hip, and buttocks.
Once redone with dry brushing is over, take a good shower to wash off all the dead cells. You should not do dry brushing and is not a recommended practice, as the skin, there is very sensitive especially during pregnancy. You can use a soft loofa sponge to exfoliate your breast during the bath.
Drink more water
Liquid intake helps in flushing out unwanted toxins out of your body and keeps your body hydrated. You can have liquids in the form of fruit juices, herbal teas and as fresh fruit and vegetables. Eating fruits and vegetables which are high in water content will also help to compensate the liquid intake. Even if you have fluid consumption in other forms, it is important to drink 8 glasses of water in its pure form.
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Have nutrient rich food
A healthy diet also plays a significant role in hydrating your body and keeping your skin supple. Include foods which are good for your skin’s health such as nuts and fruits. Incorporating nourishing foods will also help in improving your skin’s elasticity and prevents the appearance of stretch marks.
Stay away from deficiencies
It is a clinically proven fact that zinc deficiency during pregnancy can result in the appearance of stretch marks. Zinc is very much essential in collagen production and is rich in antioxidants. So make sure that you have zinc rich foods like whole grains, eggs, nuts, and legumes. Also, include foods which are rich in omega-3 fatty acids so as to give a natural glow to your skin.
Conclusion
They say genetics is the key but the fact is being proactive is the real key. There is nothing like, once you got stretch marks, you have to live with it forever. Or, once you are pregnant, you are going to have stretch marks and there is nothing you can do about it. It is a wrong perception! Of course, you can find many solutions prevent stretch marks appearing on your stomach. Remember the old saying “Every problem comes with a solution.” The one thing you need to keep in mind is that you can not only reduce the intensity of stretch marks but also completely remove it.
