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How to Prevent Stretch Marks

How to Prevent Stretch Marks

Almost every woman suffers from stretch marks due to pregnancy. If a healthy lifestyle is followed during pregnancy, stretch marks can be prevented. Here are some tips for preventing stretch marks caused due to pregnancy.

Pregnancy is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful phases in a woman’s life. And stretch marks is one of the by products of pregnancy; and definitely something that you would want to get rid of. No one likes to flaunt stretch marks and the earlier you get rid of it, the better.

What are stretch marks? They are scars that lie underneath the skin. Below the epidermal layers of the skin lies a protein component called collagen. They make the skin elastic. When they get broken down due to rapid weight gain like, during pregnancy, scars get formed.

The appearance of stretch marks during pregnancy is inevitable, as the skin stretches quite a lot in order to accommodate the growing baby. But taking some simple precautions and following certain practices during your pregnancy can help you prevent or reduce the appearance of stretch marks.

Drink Plenty of Water

Retaining and maintaining the health of the skin is very important if you want to prevent stretch marks. On an average, 8 litres of water every day is required by the human body. Please note, that if you are overweight or more muscular than lean, or if your caffeine consumption is high, you must increase your water intake simultaneously.

Water enhances the elasticity of the skin and when it needs to stretch like as your pregnancy advances, it can bounce back to its original form soon without wear and tear. It is due to the teat that the stretch marks appear. So once you ensure the elasticity of the skin by keeping it well hydrated, the stretch marks will be prevented and much reduced.

Check Your Diet

Food that are known to contribute towards a healthy skin is always recommended and especially during pregnancy if you want to prevent stretch marks. All food items that have a high vitamin A, C and D content are the ones to be incorporate into your daily diet during pregnancy. Adequate amounts of proteins and minerals like zinc is also important.

As the baby develops during the first and second trimester of pregnancy, there is a tendency to eat more as the requirement of nourishment of the body is high due to the rapid development of the baby. But you must take care to increase your food intake at these stages gradually and not all of a sudden. As this might lead to an abrupt weight gain and the stretch marks will follow suit. So note that your desired weight gain is slow and steady.

Stay Fit With a Workout

During your pregnancy you must ensure that your body is fit and healthy. There is no better way to stay fit than to take in the right nutrition and working the extra calories out. This way the muscles also gets the desired exercise and they remain toned even when you gain weight and then want to lose weight after delivery, it becomes easier if the body is already in the working out mode. Always ensure that the type of physical exercise is suited for your condition, seek the advice of a trained and certified professional and consult your doctor in this regard.

Apply Stretch Mark Creams And Cocoa Butter

There are certain areas like abdomen, hips, thighs, arms and breasts where stretch marks appear commonly during pregnancy. So even before they begin to appear, make sure that you apply the stretch mark creams or cocoa butter at these areas regularly and massage them. They can effectively prevent the stretch marks from appearing reduce them too. Always consult your doctor and ask him or her to prescribe the right stretch mark cream for you. Never scratch those areas and they tend to itch as the skin loses the elasticity, scratching will only make the stretch marks appear ugly.

Therefore, take the necessary precautions and enjoy your pregnancy and motherhood. Stretch marks would be there but with these simple tips you can effectively prevent them from becoming stubborn and also reduce their appearance.




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Gretel
Gretel.13 years ago
i don't think that stretch marks in pregnancy can be prevented completely but it can be minimized. a proper diet and exercise routine can minimize their occurrence.
 
 
 
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Deborah
Deborah.13 years ago
Hi Jane, i guess you are lucky. i also had a healthy diet but still have lots of stretch marks on my belly and thighs. i am thinking of getting it rid of using laser
 
 
 
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Jane
Jane.13 years ago
i have two kids and in each of my pregnancy, i took care of my diet and skin....as a result i do not have any stretch marks.........
 
 
 
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