One of the biggest fears of pregnant women is the likelihood that they will develop stretch marks on their tummy area. The appearance of these marks varies from one to another. Some show dark web-like lines while others simply have white and silvery jagged lines. After giving birth, there are those whose marks naturally fade into almost-invisible streaks while there are also women whose tummies continue to bear the unsightly obscure marks.
Of course the best way to go about this is to prevent them from appearing. Here are 7 tips to help you keep those stretch marks at bay:
1. Nourish Your Skin with the Right Food.
All throughout your pregnancy, it's important to ensure that you're consuming a sufficient amount of skin-nourishing foods. For instance, choose to include foods rich in vitamin E such as nuts, broccoli, and avocado. These will give your skin cell membranes the protection they need. What's more, vitamin A foods like carrots, squash, and sweet potatoes will surely help mend your damaged skin tissues.
Do you also incorporate omega 3 fatty acids in your diet? Various fish as well as eggs and oysters can provide you these nutrients for your skin and thus also maintain the good health of your skin's cell membranes.
2. Don't Forget to Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate!
Hydration is of utmost importance. You ought to not just drink at least 8 glasses of water, but also consume fruits and vegetables which contain high amounts of water. Why don't you eat watermelons and honeydews for your snack and dessert? Or you can fix yourself up a salad filled with cucumbers and other watery veggies.
Hydration is good for the skin in general. Even if you're not pregnant, this is highly recommended. Water is a natural detoxifier and can support the skin when it's undergoing excessive stretching. So drink up!
3. Watch Your Weight Gain Please.
Why is it that many other women who are not pregnant also suffer from stretch marks? Common reasons include yoyo dieting and fast gaining or losing of weight. This is also what happens during pregnancy. There are many women who quickly gain weight, which puts a strain on the skin and causes stretch marks.
Hence, you should watch your weight carefully as you move from the first trimester to the third trimester. There are many ways to keep healthy and nourish your baby without packing on the pounds too much. For example, instead of eating anything and everything you want, go for healthier options that will provide the vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients you and your baby need.
4. Exercise During and After Pregnancy.
Being pregnant doesn't give you the excuse to live the couch potato lifestyle. On the contrary, as long as your pregnancy doesn't have any complications, it's much better to ensure that you exercise regularly. There are some exercises that are allowed, such as walking, swimming, and yoga.
Working out will surely do wonders for your skin while also helping regulate your weight gain.
5. Be Sure to Moisturize Your Skin.
Natural oils and moisturizers that are especially made for pregnant women should be applied on the skin on a regular basis. This will contribute to further hydration so that stretching of the skin will not leave permanent stretch marks on your skin.
Some of the more popular and reliable options to use include shea butter, cocoa butter, and almond oil. Sometimes these are integrated into specific formulas made especially for moisturizing and for the prevention of stretch marks.
You may want to check out our offers in this area. We carry Palmer's Cocoa Butter Formula Massage Cream for Stretch Marks and Palmer's Cocoa Butter Formula Tummy Butter for Stretch Marks, among others. These have great reviews and are widely trusted by many.
6. Protect Your Skin with Sunscreen.
All skin experts agree that the sun's rays are very harmful for the skin. When you're pregnant, this fact doesn't change. If you find yourself going to the beach or being exposed to the sunlight while you are expecting, you should also make use of sunscreen. Just ask your doctor for those considered safe for pregnant women.
7. Use Reputable Anti-Stretch Marks Creams.
It's essential to carefully browse through the available options when choosing anti-stretch marks creams and lotions. There are numerous ones that are not safe and effective. You should inspect the ingredients and read reviews and feedbacks.
If you apply a good one as you should on your abdomen, stomach, sides, etc. while there are still no stretch marks or when they are still in the reddish stage, there's a good chance you'll be able to get rid of them or prevent them from taking over your body and skin.
Again, take a look at our selection under the "For Mom" category in the "Nursing and Feeding" tab. Here you'll discover amazing products that will help you prevent pregnancy stretch marks.