For moms-to-be, pregnancy has its ups and downs. It can almost feel like a rollercoaster with highs of joys and a couple of hormone-induced lows here and there (here’s looking at you, morning sickness). Anyway, one thing that kind of universally troubles all moms is stretch marks.
Call them the scars of a warrior mom or a side-effect you didn’t sign up for, stretch marks can seem like permanent guests but they don’t have to be. This guide has the most effective tips for preventing and fading them away so you can get back your confidence and enjoy motherhood with at least one major worry out of the way!
How To Keep Pregnancy Induced Stretch Marks At Bay
The fact that your body changes during pregnancy is given. But why do stretch marks occur? You see, your little bundle of joy needs space to grow and your belly is the perfect cocoon. However, it has to make a little extra room to ensure your baby is comfy, and in doing so, the skin around your belly stretches beyond its natural elasticity. This leads to the development of visible lines and rough ridges, which are known as stretch marks.
Now you can try to prevent them, or at least minimise their development. Here is what will work if you keep at it consistently:
Eat Right
You might think your diet cannot possibly help with stretch marks but it can. This entire condition exists because your skin has been “stretched”, i.e. its elasticity has reduced. In other words, your body needs a collagen boost to restore your skin’s natural bounce and suppleness. And what better way to do that than to eat right?
Foods that can help you boost your body’s collagen production include simple items such as chicken and fish. Fishes are a great source of marine collage, which is one of the easiest for the body to absorb. Meanwhile, chicken is naturally rich in collagen, especially if you eat the thigh portion.
Foods rich in antioxidants such as blueberries, strawberries, and raspberries can also help by preventing oxidative damage, and keeping your skin healthy.
In fact, micro-nutrients play a pivotal role too. For example, Vitamin C is known for its collagen synthesizing properties. On the flipside, Vitamin E is a great antioxidant and Omega 3 Fatty Acids provide your skin with the kind of hydration it needs to maintain its elasticity.
Exercise
Exercising throughout your pregnancy is a great idea for lots of reasons, and one of them is stretch marks prevention. Of course, you should be careful and choose only low-intensity workouts that absolutely DO NOT cause you any discomfort whatsoever.
For example, prenatal yoga is great. It’s gentle and it targets exactly the areas most likely to develop stretch marks, i.e., belly, thighs, and breasts! Plus, low-impact cardio such as brisk walking is known to support collagen production by improving blood flow. You can also try pelvic exercises your doctor approves to keep your pelvic area and abdomen toned!
Follow A Proper Skincare Routine
Well, this will come as no surprise but the skincare routine you follow can prevent and support the fading away of stretch marks!
- Start with using a good cleanser. Something that is ideally fragrance-free because you don’t want to develop any allergies in this wonderful yet delicate stage of your life. Cleansing your skin with a mild wash can also prevent stretch-mark-worsening irritations. Plus, they help in the creation of a clean and more absorbent on which you can apply a stretch marks cream to accelerate the entire process.
- Use a good stretch marks cream. This is non-negotiable. First, it should be safe for use during pregnancy. And second, it should have ingredients that actually help, not just “claim” to. Well, AreoVeda’s Stretch Marks Cream ticks both boxes!
This miracle in a tube is intensely hydrating, thanks to its unique mix of Hyaluronic Acid and Ghee. Plus, it contains STRIOVER™, which is a proprietary ingredient that blends traditional medicinal plants and glycerine to create a unique formulation that has shown actual visible results when it comes to reducing stretch marks! Lastly, its CryoCoffee and Aloe Vera content is exactly what will soothe irritated skin while curbing itching and helping the natural fading away of stretch marks.
- Top it up with a good sunscreen! Even if your belly is not exposed and you are not stepping out, try to use sunscreen everyday anyway. During pregnancy, your hormones tend to fluctuate a lot, which can make you more prone to pigmentation. So might as well save your skin from another issue with a pregnancy-friendly sunscreen.
Conclusion
Stretch marks aren’t a permanent problem. They’re a temporary guest that you can show the door to by following skin-friendly practices daily. From eating right to exercising and using creams such as AreoVeda’s Stretch Mark Cream as your elixir, you will be able to say goodbye to stretch marks in no time. Just don’t forget to wear that sunscreen too!
