Minimize stretch marks during pregnancy

How to avoid stretch marks during pregnancy? Face it, you’ve dreaded minimizing those stretch marks that are sometimes a part of the pregnancy experience. The thought of the changes that your body will go through may have given you countless nightmares. Well, if it has happened to you, know that you are not alone. Almost all first-time mommies are scared of the ‘S’ word.

Pregnancy, though one of the major factors contributing to stretch marks, is definitely not the only one. It’s a popular belief that only women get stretch marks, however, the truth is that men get them as well. It can occur when the skin changes shape suddenly and unexpectedly.

During pregnancy, the skin stretches a lot to give room to your growing womb and in this process, there is a lot of wear and tear involved.

The skin, when growing, may damage its collagen which is the main component that gives it elasticity. During the wear and tear of the skin, if the collagen gets damaged, it may begin to form.

As the shape of the body changes through the progression of pregnancy, the skin loses more and more collagen and the stretch marks seem to increase.

In the beginning, these marks are deep red or purple in color and have a bruise-like appearance. You may see them appearing on your belly, thighs, breasts, and buttocks.

With time, the dark red or purple color of the stretch marks gives way to silver-colored marks on your skin. It’s mostly not harmful. However, they do mark the appearance of your skin.

Types of stretch marks during pregnancy

Stretch marks during pregnancy appear when your skin is unable to keep up with your body’s rapid growth. The elastic fibers just below the skin’s surface break as a result, resulting in stretch marks.

You gain 30 pounds during your nine months of pregnancy, according to Heidi Waldorf, MD, an associate clinical professor of dermatology at Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York City.

The two body areas that expand the quickest, the belly and breasts, are particularly prone to stretch marks. Stretch marks can also show up on the thighs, buttocks, and upper arms. After delivery, the marks typically start out red or purple and gradually turn white or gray.

Experts advise healthy-weight ladies to gain 25–35 pounds. It’s not a bad idea, according to Mary Lupo, MD, clinical professor of dermatology at Tulane University School of Medicine, to try to stay within that range and to grow slowly rather than quickly.

In other words, in terms of stretch marks, how quickly you gain weight could be just as important as how much.

When to expect stretch marks during pregnancy

Stretch marks commonly show up on a pregnant woman’s belly, but they can also be seen on the buttocks, thighs, hips, and lower back. Although they are capable of developing anywhere on the body, they are more likely to do so in areas with a lot of body fat.

Understanding how to help prevent stretch marks from forming in the first place is just as important as understanding the origins, mechanisms, and locations of stretch marks during pregnancy.

While stretch marks can emerge at any point during pregnancy, some women first notice them as soon as their tummies start to grow. Usually, stretch marks occur in the final trimesters of pregnancy (around the sixth or seventh month).

While most lighter-skinned women normally have reddish stretch marks, darker-skinned women typically have stretch marks that are paler than the surrounding skin. They go through three developmental stages.

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Stages of stretch marks during pregnancy

• Stage 1

Stage one stretch marks may itch and have a pink color. Just around the stretch marks, the skin could appear “thin” and “flattened.”

• Stage 2

Stretch marks will gradually lengthen, widen, and turn reddish or purple in color.

• Stage 3

Stretch marks stop being reddish or pink in color once they have fully formed. In the months after delivery, they will start to degrade and turn silver or a pale white tone. They might also appear a little depressed and be of an odd shape or length.

How to avoid stretch marks during pregnancy home remedies

1. The first step is to detect them early. When fresh, it is easier to deal with them. However, as they grow older and begin to fade, they may begin to settle in your skin and it will be harder for you to then get rid of them.
2. Take your favorite moisturizer (any mild one will do) and use it to massage the areas where stretch marks have begun to appear. Massage the area several times a day.
3. Exfoliate your skin regularly with a gentle exfoliate. There are many ready-made exfoliates on the market. NTUC has tons and you can pick one that suits your skin type the next time you go shopping for groceries. You can also make your own exfoliate using dried and powdered orange peel and yogurt.
4. Take your supplements. Vitamin E helps repair and replenish collagen. A daily dose of Vitamin E or a massage with Vitamin E oils can help you reduce the appearance of these stretch marks. Wheat germ oil, cosmetic products that contain peptides, and retinoids are some of the other products that may work on your skin. However, their efficacy is not known.
5. Drink lots of water. This way, you will keep your skin hydrated. Water consumption must be sufficient (about 2 liters per day) to assist in skin repair and regrowth.
6. Exercise regularly when you are pregnant. A lot of women avoid any kind of exercise and take long periods of rest. This could be detrimental to your overall health as well as the health of your skin. Take a stroll for a few minutes every day. If you want, you can even enroll yourself in a special yoga class for pregnant women.
7. The collagen and elastin fibers in the skin keep the skin taut during periods of rapid growth. The less likely it is that these fibers will break and leave stretch marks, the stronger they are. It makes sense to eat foods abundant in vitamin E and C, zinc, and silica because these nutrients aid in the production of collagen. Vitamin C in particular is a crucial antioxidant that helps to stop tissue damage. Vitamins B2 and B3 riboflavin and niacin are also known to nourish and maintain healthy skin.
8. In addition to making sure you maintain your skin’s supple by eating the right foods and getting enough exercise, you should use a topically applied product like stretch marks during pregnancy or the best cream to prevent stretch marks during pregnancy. 

In this case, there’s a so-called Bio-Oil, which is specifically designed to maximize the skin’s elasticity. If you apply Bio-Oil twice daily starting in the first trimester and continuing until delivery, your skin will continue to be nourished and more prepared to expand.

Best cream to prevent stretch marks during pregnancy: What ingredients?

How to avoid stretch marks during pregnancy? Stretch marks sometimes naturally fade, leaving behind thin, silvery lines, while others remain darker and more apparent. Waldorf asserts that the best time to treat the markings is while they are still in that reddish state. 

Gels containing hyaluronic acid and onion extract might be useful. Participants in one research who used the gel daily for 12 weeks said that their stretch marks vanished.

However, there is no conclusive evidence that stretch mark during pregnancy cream works, despite the fact that many of them promise to do so. Furthermore, there is little evidence to determine if oils or lotions can help prevent stretch marks from appearing in the first place.

Another option is to get retinoid prescriptions from your dermatologist. This expedites cell turnover and may promote the production of new collagen, leading to plumper, healthier skin, claims Waldorf (However, if you are pregnant or nursing, you cannot use a retinoid.)

The skin is heated by lasers in further office treatments. As a result, dilated blood vessels constrict, promoting collagen synthesis. According to dermatologist Jeanine B. Downie, MD, of Montclair, New Jersey, results might not be noticeable right away.

Gentler techniques like dermabrasion can also help with skin renewal, though don’t expect a noticeable difference, according to Downie.

Is vitamin E safe for pregnant?

Yes, vitamin E can be safe for pregnant women when consumed in recommended amounts, though excessive supplementation may pose risks. During pregnancy, vitamin E offers several benefits, such as supporting the immune system and reducing oxidative stress, which can help protect both the mother and fetus from cellular damage. Additionally, it plays a role in the proper development of fetal organs and tissues.

Research suggests that oxidative stress increases during pregnancy, leading to complications like pre-eclampsia and intrauterine growth restrictions if unmanaged. Vitamin E, with its antioxidant properties, can help mitigate these effects. However, clinical trials indicate that supplementation beyond standard dietary intake may not always provide additional benefits and could increase the risk of complications, such as premature rupture of membranes or even bleeding disorders due to its blood-thinning effects.

The World Health Organization advises caution when using vitamin E supplements during pregnancy unless medically recommended. Pregnant women are generally encouraged to meet their vitamin E needs through a balanced diet, which includes foods like nuts, seeds, and leafy greens, rather than relying heavily on supplements.

If you are considering vitamin E supplementation during pregnancy, it’s best to consult your healthcare provider to ensure safe dosing tailored to your specific needs. This way, you can enjoy the benefits without increasing any potential risks to your pregnancy.

Additional information from Margaux Dolores and Jobelle Macayan

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