During pregnancy, a woman’s body undergoes many physical changes and stretch marks are just one of them. It is estimated that up to 90 per cent of all pregnant women experience stretch marks during pregnancy. Stretch marks usually show up as brown, pink, red or purplish streaks across the belly, butt, hips, thighs or breasts around 13 weeks to 21 weeks of pregnancy. Stretch marks during pregnancy are formed due to rapid weight gain which causes tiny tears in the supporting layers of the tissue under the skin. However, genetics also has a role to play in whether or not you will get stretch marks. If your mom had stretch marks then chances are you are likely to develop them as well. As such it’s important to use natural body care products for your pregnancy belly care routine during pregnancy to reduce the appearance of stretch marks.
The best time to reduce the appearance of stretch marks is when they are new. Typically, there are three stages of stretch marks development. In stage 1, stretch marks appear pink in colour and the skin around it may feel itchy and appear flattened or thin. In stage 2, stretch marks change colour and appear red or purplish and will enlarge in length and width. In stage 3, stretch marks start to fade and become white or silvery in appearance. At this stage, it is difficult to reduce the appearance of stretch marks. Using effective mom care products at Stage 1, when the stretch marks are new, will help reduce their appearance.
Also Read: Skincare During Pregnancy
Here are some tips you can follow during pregnancy to reduce and prevent stretch marks:
- Drink lots of water and keep yourself hydrated. Dehydration can cause skin dryness and lead to itching.
- Eat a balanced diet full of Vitamins C, D, E and minerals like Zinc. Add food items such as fresh fruits, nuts, seeds, fish and green leafy vegetables to keep your skin healthy and nourished. Avoid food items which are rich in salt or sugar content.
- Wear loose fitting clothes that don’t irritate your skin. Choose natural, breathable fabrics such as cotton to keep your skin healthy.
- While bathing, choose natural soaps and body washes that don’t have Sulphate as it tends to dry out the skin and cause irritation. After bathing, pat your skin dry instead of rubbing it.
- Avoid exposing yourself to dust, pollution and extreme changes in temperature.
- Massage the skin on your belly, thighs, hips and other affected areas with natural stretch mark cream that has ingredients such as Shea butter and Cocoa butter.
- Choose natural products to keep your skin moisturized at all times. This will help reduce stretch marks and prevent itching and dryness of skin.
- Ensure that you gain weight gradually during your pregnancy. This will reduce the chances of your skin developing stretch marks and is essential for a healthy pregnancy.
When choosing skincare products to use during pregnancy, it’s important to ensure that they are made without harmful chemicals, toxins and synthetic fragrances as they can irritate the skin. Choose stretch marks removal products for your pregnancy belly care that are natural, safe and dermatologically tested.
Do belly stretch marks go away after pregnancy?
While it’s nearly impossible to remove stretch marks naturally, stretch marks can remain for some time and may even become more noticeable after delivery. However, stretch marks fade with time and tend to become lighter in colour. If you are looking for a remedy to reduce the appearance of stretch marks after delivery then it’s best to take action within the first 6 months after delivery. Your body is getting back into shape in the first 6 months after delivery and that’s the best time to reduce the appearance of stretch marks. Use a cream for pregnancy marks which is made with natural ingredients to moisturize your skin and reduce the appearance of stretch marks.
Which cream is best for stretch marks after pregnancy?
If you are looking for a solution to reduce stretch marks after pregnancy, then its best to use a natural product that has Shea butter. By using shea butter for stretch marks, you can ensure that you give your skin the best in terms of nourishment and moisturization. While it isn’t possible to remove stretch marks naturally, Shea butter can help diminish their appearance. Shea butter is loaded with essential fatty acids and fatty acids which helps reduce inflammation and deeply moisturizes the skin. Along with Shea butter, Cocoa butter is another natural ingredient which you should look for in stretch marks products.
Using a stretch marks oil along with body butter will further help reduce the appearance of stretch marks. When choosing a stretch oil, choose ingredients such as Sea Buckthorn oil, Rosehip oil, Jojoba oil, Almond oil, Wheatgerm oil and Amond oil which are known to increase skin hydration, improve skin elasticity, reduce skin damage and stimulate collagen synthesis which helps reduce the appearance of stretch oils.
The Moms Co.’s Stretch Marks Bundle has Natural Body Butter and Natural Stretch Oil which helps reduce and prevent the appearance of stretch marks. The Natural Body Butter is made with Shea butter and Cocoa Butter and provides the skin 24 hours moisturization which prevents skin dryness. The Natural Stretch Oil is a combination of 7 natural oils which include Sea Buckthorn, Rosehip, Jojoba, Coconut and Almond to deeply nourish the skin, improve collagen synthesis, prevent stretch marks and are perfect for Pregnancy Belly care.
Sea Buckthorn Oil is an essential source of Vitamins E and A and is known for its ability to repair skin damage. It also helps improve skin elasticity. Rosehip oil on the other hand is rich in Vitamin C and is known to support collagen synthesis which helps reduce the appearance of stretch marks.
The Natural Stretch Body Butter and Natural Stretch Oil are made without any harmful chemicals and toxins, and are safe to use in pregnancy Belly care routine as well. Part of The Moms Co.’s range of Australia-certified toxin-free products, the Natural Stretch Oil and Natural Body Butter can be used in the first 6 months after delivery to help reduce the appearance of stretch marks and prevent new ones from forming.