[toc]
Stretch marks are a common problem during pregnancy and they initially start off or begin as very thin lines. You may think that these red lines are just something normal but eventually they tend to get deeper as your tummy expands. The reason for the same is that your tummy has to expand a lot in just a short duration of time. And this causes stretch marks.
These are lines that are silverfish in appearance and often seem to be like scars. These are considered as mom’s beauty but they also mean that you are scared to show off that flawless tummy. However, stretch marks can be prevented during pregnancy with some simple tips-
Tips For Stretch Marks During Pregnancy
Over The Counter Creams And Ointments
Thanks to science, these days you can get an array of creams and ointments that are rich in vitamins along with AHA or alpha hydroxy acids that are known for preventing stretch marks.
These have been made with extracts from plants and are natural. These can actually help you in reducing stretch marks by regular application. Olive Oil, thus the harsh reality of expansion is dealt better with and circulation is improved too.
Almond And Wheat Germ Oil
Simply take the moisture of almond and wheat germ oil and keep the proportion 2:1. All that you have to do here is massage the same on your stomach and let it stay for as long as you can.
The mixture is non greasy and it doesn’t really need to be washed or dried. It hydrates the skin and helps you look and feel great, without letting stretch marks appear.
Don’t Eat For Two
By eating for two is a common myth that most women follow during their pregnancy. Remember that sudden weight gain and weight loss are the common causes for pregnancy stretch marks. You really don’t have to eat for two here and doctors suggest that you need about 300-500 calories a day in addition to your regular meals.
By doing so you are providing enough nutrition to your little one and also avoiding excessive weight gain. Also, these calories should come from nutritious foods rather than just going by your sudden craving for carbs and sweets. Your weight gain should be about 2-3 kilos in the first trimester, about 2-3 in the next and a couple of other kilos during the third.
Nourishing Diet
Again eating nutritious food is ofOlive Oil for the skin also.
Remember that the nutrients you are consuming will help improve the elasticity of the skin, which in turn prevents stretch marks. The vitamins and nutrients that you get from salads, fibers and other healthier ingredients helps in avoiding stretch marks.
Drink Water
Staying hydrated during pregnancy too is another vital factor. What you can do here is drink at least 10 glasses of water every day to flush out toxins and help the body detoxify. Your cells are able to pump and work better by consuming regular water and this too helps in preventing stretch marks.
Pregnancy Exercises
There are a lot of exercises suggested for pregnant women to help them in improving the elasticity of the skin and also for helping in better circulation. What you should do is perform exercises that are appropriate for pregnant women and help you control weight gain. Doing so helps the body to stretch the right amount and thus help in adjusting to the sudden gain of weight along with expanding skin.
Try to do walking for at least 40 minutes a day, unless you get too exhausted. Next, you should also do some kegel exercises, which helps in elasticity for the tummy and the vaginal area too. Yoga and low impact exercises like Pilates can be done under the supervision of experts too.
Dry Brushing
Another way of avoiding stretch marks during the period is to practice dry brushing techniques. Basically this means helping the skin exfoliate using a brush that is made from natural bristles. The dry brush helps in enhancing circulation and also is a great way to maintain healthy skin. Not only will this diminish the present stretch marks, it also prevents them from reappearing again.
You can use brushes made from gourd or similar products as they are stiff, but not tough. You should begin from the bottom and go up. This should be done on the legs, tummy and any other part of the body that is prone to getting stretch marks. This helps in getting rid of dead cells, but don’t do this on the breasts as they are very sensitive.
Sunscreen
Use a natural sunscreen on the tummy when you head to the swimming pool or the beach. Basically the rays of the sun tend to be very tough on the skin. Since your skin is already sensitive during this period, do make sure that lots of natural sunscreen is applied.
Extra Virgin Olive Oil
There are many other essential oils that work on the skin too. One of them is extra virgin oil. You can apply this generously on the tummy and the other areas. The oil helps in diminishing marks of the skin and also helps you stay nourished and hydrated. This can be applied all over the body including the breasts too.
Aloe Vera And Vitamin
This is a quick and effective way to avoid stretch marks. Simply mix some olive oil along with aloe vera and vitamin E capsules. You can mix other vitamins here too like vitamin A. Mix all the ingredients well and then shake the same and apply it all over the tummy and other areas.
Cocoa And Shea Butter
You can get cocoa butter along with some shea butter to get rid of stretch marks. There are ready made creams available in the market for the same, but you can also make this at home by mixing cocoa butter, shea butter, bees wax, vitamin E oil and even some olive oil. Apply on the skin and let its stay. This should be done twice a day for effective results.
