How to Prevent Stretch Marks During Pregnancy
Though stretch marks can occur at any time, many women get them during pregnancy because the belly expands so much. There's no guarantee against stretch marks, but they can be combatted with creams, butters, oils and medical treatments. There are also ways to reduce the appearance of stretch marks after giving birth.
What Causes Stretch Marks?
Stretch marks are lines that appear in the skin when there are changes in the skin's supportive tissue and elasticity. The marks appear pink or red at first and gradually change to a brown, tan or white hue depending on skin tone. People can get stretch marks during any phase of life and its common for women without children to have stretch marks from growth spurts or weight gain and loss. Not all women get stretch marks during pregnancy but many do.
Stretch Mark Prevention
Keeping skin hydrated during pregnancy is important. Many brands of specially designed creams, salves, butters and oils can help to keep skin healthy during pregnancy. Cocoa butter or oil is a popular method of stretch mark prevention, though there is no proof that lotions actually prevent stretch marks. Another way to minimize pregnancy stretch marks is to make sure you only gain the medically recommended number of pounds. Talk to your doctor about how much weight you should be gaining. It is usually recommended that women only gain 25-35 pounds over the course of a pregnancy. This number can vary and will be higher if a woman is carrying multiple babies.
Getting Rid of Stretch Marks
Though there is no way to completely get rid of stretch marks, there are many ways to minimize their appearance. Stretch marks should start to fade on their own within 6-12 months after giving birth. Continuing to moisturize can speed up this process. Once you are no longer pregnant or nursing you can use medical creams that contain tretinoin and glycolic acid to reduce the appearance of stretch marks. Some dermatologists also offer laser treatments to reduce stretch marks.