How To Prevent Stretch Marks During Pregnancy
I am going to start with the ugly truth. Preventing stretch marks is not something that is always possible and some people are more susceptible to them. If your mom, grandparents or others in your family have stretch marks, you are more likely to get them. Good news is that you can reduce your chances of developing stretch marks and even treat the ones you may already have.
DRINK LOTS OF WATER
Drinking water is always important. Not just for your health but also crucial in keeping your skin hydrated and soft. The dryer your skin, the easier it is to develop stretch marks in comparison to soft skin. According to the Institute of Medicine, women should consume 72 ounces of water a day, 104 ounces for men. Since entering my second trimester I have become much more conscious of my water intake with a daily goal of 3L of water which is the same as 101 oz.
HYDRATING SKINCARE ROUTINE
During pregnancy I make sure to lather my body in coconut oil and Palmer’s Cocoa butter after every shower and whenever I feel my skin is dry or feeling tight. Along with drinking lots of water, applying oils and ointments that will help your skin retain its moisture is crucial in helping avoid and/or treat current stretch marks.
This Palmer’s Stretch Mark Care set is perfect to test out their goodies. I loved their oil and lotion but, personally, prefer their traditional cocoa butter formula I mentioned above.
One big mistake many women make is completely dropping the hydrating skincare routine once baby arrives. Huge no-no since you are most likely losing weight at a rapid pace making your skin much more prone to developing new stretch marks.
EAT NUTRIENT-RICH DIET
Lacking nutrition in certain areas is one reason behind stretch marks. Making sure to consume foods high in Vitamin C, Vitamin D, Vitamin E, zinc and protein all help in boosting your skins health.
One simple way to do this without having to think too much is by taking a daily prenatal vitamin as well as consuming unprocessed foods in various colors.
CONTROL YOUR WEIGHT
One of the simplest ways to help prevent stretch marks, is avoiding sudden weight gain and/or weight loss. Not very easy when you are pregnant or going through a growth spurt but controlling body changes from happening too quickly is one way of keeping stretch marks away.
If you do develop stretch marks, the good news is that they usually fade into a light, silvery hue which may barely be noticeable with time especially if you treat them early on by following the above recommendations.
You may also enjoy: 8 Things All Pregnant Women Should Know and Baby Must-Haves: First-Time Moms.
