How To Avoid Stretch Marks During Pregnancy
5 Top Tips for How to Avoid Stretch Marks During Pregnancy
Throughout pregnancy, the skin stretches to accommodate the growing baby. Sometimes, this can result in striae distensae, otherwise known as stretch marks, which are usually red or purple in colour. Here are 5 Top Tips for How to Avoid Stretch Marks During Pregnancy and keep skin soft and smooth.
1. Massage
Massaging the skin is one of the 5 top tips for how to avoid stretch marks during pregnancy, as gentle massage can help stimulate circulation. This makes sure that there is a high cell turnover, and therefore plenty of new skin growing as the skin continues to expand and stretch .
2. Lotions
Using lotions specifically designed to help mothers-to-be avoid stretch marks during pregnancy can help skin stay supple and moisturised. As a result, this will then enable skin to have more elasticity as it stretches to make room for baby. Although using lotions are no guarantee that stretch marks will not form, they can certainty help to keep skin looking and feeling its best. Moreover, should any stretch marks begin to develop, the use of lotions can help them to fade to silver and become far less noticeable much quicker.
3. Water
Drinking plenty of water and staying hydrated is another easy tip to try when learning how to avoid stretch marks during pregnancy. Making sure to be drinking enough water daily is important for mother-to-be and baby's health, with the added bonus that it increases skin suppleness and decreases the likelihood of stretch marks forming.
4. Diet
Pregnancy is a time when many relax their usual diet and enjoy eating for two. However, unnecessary weight gain can be one of the prime reasons for the formation of unwanted stretch marks. In order to try and learn how to avoid stretch marks during pregnancy, paying close attention to diet is a must. Incorporating plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables will help to ensure that the skin is getting all the vitamins and minerals it needs to stay strong and healthy. Especially important during pregnancy are vitamins E and C, along with skin super mineral, zinc. By keeping weight gain at a healthy level, it is much less likely stretch marks will form. This is because the skin is not being placed under unnecessary pressure to expand too quickly, which is when the middle layers of the dermis will often rip, causing the most common red and purple stretch mark striations to appear.
5. Gentle Exercise
Taking some gentle exercise can be a fun and relaxing way to help to avoid stretch marks during pregnancy. Just as with a healthy diet, sticking to a gentle exercise routine can ensure that any pregnancy weight gain is done steadily, giving the skin time to stretch and expand over time, rather than too fast, which is what results in stretch marks. Pregnancy yoga is a great choice of gentle exercise for mums-to-be, along with walking and swimming, which can help to support the bump when moving underwater. Although gaining weight is a natural part of pregnancy, it is important to do so slowly and steadily in order to try to avoid stretch marks.
