How to Prevent Stretch Marks While Pregnant
One of the downsides to pregnancy is stretch marks that can occur on the abdomen, sides, thighs, buttocks and breasts. These elongated, indented, pigmented marks are caused by the rapid stretching of the elastic tissues just under the skin. Most women are genetically predisposed to developing these "badges" of motherhood. While the color of the marks will disappear over time, the marks themselves will not. However, there are some steps that you can take to minimize stretch marks.
Things You'll Need
- Body brush Cocoa butter Olive oil Wheat germ oil Shea butter Vitamin E Healthy diet Water
Instructions
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1
Avoid the sun and tanning beds as well as exposure to cold weather and hot showers and baths. All of these activities can take moisture from your skin and make you more prone to getting stretch marks during pregnancy as well as cause the marks you may already have to become more visible.
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2
Drink eight glasses of water daily to hydrate your skin and flush away toxins. By hydrating your skin, you maximize its elasticity. Feed your skin and body by eating a balanced diet containing calcium, protein, whole grains, fresh fruit and vegetables.
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3
Keep your weight within the normal range for your height and build. The more weight you gain, the more fat accumulates in your body, and the more your skin must stretch to accommodate the added bulk.
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4
Use a body brush while in the shower or bath to stimulate circulation. This will help maximize blood flow and the dispersion of nutrients and water to the skin cells.
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5
Moisturize your skin by rubbing it with natural oils, such as cocoa butter, pure lanolin, olive oil, wheat germ oil, vitamin E and shea butter. This will keep the skin moist and pliable and will minimize stretch marks.
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6
Consult a dermatologist about ways to reduce your stretch marks. She may prescribe 0.1 percent tretinoin (Retin-A) cream that can help shrink stretch marks. Your doctor may also suggest laser therapy which can reduce the pigmentation of the stretch marks and can also increase the growth of collagen which increases the elasticity of the skin and can fill in the depressions of the marks.
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Tips & Warnings
Instead of purchasing high-priced stretch mark creams, make your own by mixing two or three of the oils in Step 5 together.
Make sure the oils you use are pure and do not contain perfumes and other additives that can dry the skin.
