Effective Tips to Avoid Pregnancy Stretch Marks

Have you witnessed the thin, dark patches of red, brown, or purple color on the skin, starting with itchiness?

Well, they are known as the stretch marks and are very adamant about being treated.

Why Do Stretch Marks Occur?

The stretch marks are a result of loss of skin structure and elasticity caused by multiple physiological reasons.

They are one of the most frequent conditions in the sixth or seventh month of pregnancy because of hormonal level changes and body variations.

These constant endocrine shifts influence the production of elastin and collagen, which are proteins responsible for the elasticity and strength of the skin.

Moreover, pregnancy also leads to excess fluid retention that results in inflammation of the skin, hence making it more elastic, and subsequently leading to stretch marks.

Risk Factors For The Occurrence Of Stretch Marks

This skin issue may be a result of a variety of factors, such as pregnancy, gain or loss of weight in the short run, puberty, imbalance of hormones, intake of steroids, genetic cause, obesity, some diseases, etc.

Let's now discuss certain regular pregnancy skincare routines to avoid stretch marks.

5 Ways to Avoid Pregnancy Stretch Marks

One of the best strategies for pregnancy stretch mark prevention is caring for them right from the very beginning of their occurrence. Apart from this, various other tips to avoid pregnancy stretch marks include the following:

I. Maintain A Healthy Weight: Keeping Your Waistline In Check

Pregnancy is associated with sudden weight loss or gain due to some of the hormonal alterations and water retention in the body, which leads to swelling of the skin.

This inflammation is required because it assists in loosening the skin for the effective development of the fetus, thus making it more prone to stretch marks.

Hence, it is advisable to take care and provide gradual weight alteration to enable the skin to adjust to stretch marks gradually. This thus reduces the likelihood of scarring with time.

Tip: Ensure to eat a balanced diet for gradual weight gain. Avoid sudden weight gain at all costs to prevent the occurrence of stretch marks.

II. Stay Hydrated: Drink it up!

Pregnant women are also recommended to drink at least 2 to 3 litres of water every day. Such intake can even be through some of the water-replete fruits and vegetables like cucumber, melon, watermelon, etc.

Drinking enough water during pregnancy maintains the skin's flexibility and elasticity, thus improving its capacity to return to its original position. It keeps dry skin from developing, which is the reason behind its inability to regain shape.

Hence, it is extremely important to take care of the different climatic conditions, to keep a check on the level of water consumption during pregnancy.

III. Nutrient-Rich Diet: Fuel Your Body!

A nutrient-dense and healthy diet is very crucial to enhance the health of the mother as well as the baby during pregnancy. Diet plays a significant role in supporting collagen and elastin production, which improve healthy skin and help prevent stretch marks.

Some key nutrients to promote healthy skin are:

Consuming these foods regularly supports essential skin health.

Tip: Ensure to have a colorful meal plate to intake all the necessary nutrition during pregnancy.

IV. Regular Exercise: Sweat It Out!

The skin remains soft with an improved physical activity which increases the overall blood circulation in the body. A balanced diet and regular exercise enhance skin elasticity and resilience and hence enable the skin to re-bounce and stretch back into its natural form with ease.

Tip: Incorporate a combination of strength training and cardio for a minimum of 150 minutes a day to enhance effective blood flow in the body.

Always remember, active blood circulation triggers healthy skin.

V. Topical Applications: Absorb It In!

This is one of the most common treatments for preventing stretch marks during pregnancy. It refers to direct skin surface application of creams, lotions, oils, ointments, etc.

Moisturizing the skin makes the skin more hydrated by making it flexible. It also prevents dry skin from occurring, which is one of the leading causes of stretch marks.

It also helps to smooth out skin texture and repair, enhances the synthesis of collagen and elastin, and slows the premature formation of stretch marks while pregnant.

A few of the effective ingredients to search for in the topical application are hyaluronic acid, vitamin E & C, retinoids, cocoa butter, and shea butter, etc.

All these products are very efficient in boosting and stimulating the optimum collagen production in the body, thus preventing the occurrence of stretch marks.

Myths and Facts

Myth 1: Cocoa butter reduces stretch marks.

Fact: It helps in skin moisturisation, but there is no scientific evidence for it to prevent the occurrence of stretch marks.

Myth 2: The stretch marks always fade away on their own.

Fact: The new stretch marks appear red or purple due to the stretching of the skin and the underlying blood vessels.

With the healing of the skin, the marks fade away but the tissues’ scar-like damage stays intact. This is healed with the professional laser therapy, microdermabrasion, etc.

Myth 3: Stretch marks can be entirely prevented by the use of topical products.

Fact: The frequency of stretch marks is based on different factors, from genetics, hormonal changes, obesity, etc. Therefore, while the application aids in the moisturisation of the skin, its effectiveness in the prevention of the frequency of stretch marks is minimal.

Myth 4: The earlier you treat, the better it will work.

Fact: A Regular skincare routine is very important to maintain healthy skin. Earlier intervention for its prevention guarantees good skin health, thus preventing stretch marks.

When to Consult a Dermatologist

It is advisable to consult a dermatologist in case the stretch marks are extreme and you are seeking a treatment from within.

Conclusion

Stretch marks are common due to genes, rapid weight fluctuations, fluid retention, medical conditions, and other factors. Their chance of occurrence increases during pregnancy due to fluctuating hormones and physiological transformations in the body.

Therefore, it is recommended to minimize its incidence right from the beginning by adhering to some pregnancy skincare routines to avoid stretch marks.

Also Read:

1. 10 Fiber Rich Foods for Pregnancy Constipation Relief
2. 15 Safe Cardio Exercises for Pregnant Women
3. How to be Active in Pregnancy and Modify Workouts Safely?
4. How to Deal with Mood Swings During Pregnancy? 5 Tips
5. How To Cure Back Pain During Pregnancy