Stretch marks are common throughout pregnancy. Stretch marks appear when your body develops too quickly for your skin to catch up. It’s quite normal. After all, you’re making a new person! The elastic fibers under the skin stretch and break, leaving permanent imprints on your skin. Stretch marks are almost impossible to avoid for many of us, given that the typical woman gains 30 pounds during pregnancy.
Growing a human in your womb is an amazing experience. The human body goes through a multitude of changes during the process, from sensory to hormonal, circulatory to physical, but the size of your belly is the easiest to notice and monitor. While the body works miracles throughout pregnancy, there may be some long-term changes that you don’t like.
Stretch Marks During Pregnancy: How Likely Am I to Get Them?
Stretch marks are fairly prevalent during pregnancy, with around 90% of women seeing them at some point. Genetics also play a role; if your mother has them, you are more likely to have them as well. Stretch marks are more common in younger mothers, perhaps because their skin is firmer. Stretch marks usually emerge near the end of the second trimester for the majority of women. Stretch marks appear early in some women, and they may not appear at all in others. Stretch marks are caused by the body’s growth during pregnancy and are unique to each woman. Depending on your skin tone, the color of your stretch marks may differ. Stretch marks that are reddish in color are more likely to appear if you have lighter skin. Stretch marks that are lighter than their skin tone are more common among those with darker skin tones.
Stretch marks may emerge on the skin in a variety of ways depending on the age and intensity of the mark. Newer markings are often darker, although older marks may be faded. Stretch marks are more common in the third trimester, although they may appear in the first trimester as well. The first thing that starts to expand at an alarming pace is usually your breasts. As a result, you may initially detect them in your breasts. Stretch marks may form quickly when the stomach begins to expand. However, at the conclusion of the pregnancy, you’ll find they’re becoming worse.
Why Use Stretch Mark Cream to Prevent Stretch Marks?
Stretch marks and pregnancy go hand in hand. In fact, pregnant women are the first group of individuals who are more prone to getting stretch marks than anyone else. Because of the bulging condition of the belly, the threads responsible for keeping the body tight, also known as fibers, are stretched more than required. Stretch marks appear on the belly and other regions of the body that are growing in size as a consequence of this. This isn’t to imply that there aren’t techniques to avoid stretch marks when pregnant. Far from it; despite the prevalence of stretch marks in pregnant women, some women manage to avoid them by finding strategies to keep their skin from responding to the changes in their bodies.
There is a life cycle to stretch marks. They are red, purple, and vividly colored at first. Stretch marks are known as striae rubra during this stage of their life cycle. They are simpler to cure at this stage. This gives you more options when it comes to dealing with them. The stretch marks vary as time goes by. They become a silvery white tint as they fade away. They’re known as striae alba at this stage. It’s far more difficult to cure them after they’ve reached the alba stage. As a result, it’s critical to treat them as quickly as possible for the best results. Stretch marks may appear on your breasts, tummy, hips, buttocks, and thighs during pregnancy. While there isn’t much evidence on the efficacy of topical treatments, it’s worth attempting to avoid stretch marks since they’re tough to reduce once they’ve started. Applying a stretch mark cream as a preventative strategy is a good idea; for optimal results, begin as soon as you learn you’re pregnant and continue after the baby is born.
Stretch mark cream may not completely prevent or erase stretch marks, but it may help to reduce their severity and visibility by enhancing skin elasticity and smoothing your skin. Furthermore, applying a stretch mark lotion may be a wonderful way to reconnect with your body and pamper yourself throughout your pregnancy. Stretch mark cream may be included in a luxurious self-care regimen that includes self-massage, exfoliation, or a good old-fashioned bubble bath.
When Should I Begin Applying Stretch Mark Cream While Pregnant?
Stretch mark creams may be used from the beginning of your pregnancy. You don’t have to wait until you see markings to take action. Because many creams serve as a preventative precaution, it’s a good idea to start using one as soon as you learn you’re expecting. The cream may be used during each trimester and even after the baby is born. You may start using them as soon as you want; in fact, the sooner you start, the better, since even if your skin isn’t expanding yet, the creams will still hydrate it.
When your belly starts to show through your maternity jeans, it’s time to start applying the cream to maintain your skin as it expands out. Furthermore, applying a stretch mark lotion may be a wonderful way to reconnect with your body and pamper yourself throughout your pregnancy. Stretch mark cream may be included in a luxurious self-care regimen that includes self-massage, exfoliation, or a good old-fashioned bubble bath.
What Should You Look for in Stretch Mark Cream?
How to choose the best stretch mark cream? Choose whether you prefer a scented or fragrance-free cream. Look for possible irritants in the ingredients list, particularly if you have allergies or sensitivities. Avoid retinol-containing products when pregnant or nursing. When looking for a stretch mark cream, one element to look for is hyaluronic acid, which may help stretch marks seem less visible. However, examine the contents since some, like tretinoin or retinol, are not recommended for use during pregnancy. Furthermore, nutrient-dense butters and oils may help keep skin hydrated while it expands during pregnancy.
Stretch mark creams are simple-to-use skin care treatments that can help to reduce stretch marks and encourage skin growth. There are several factors to consider while choosing a stretch mark cream. This article was produced by an industry expert to assist you in deciding which brand or product to purchase based on your preferences and needs. The best stretch mark creams must have natural, chemical-free, organic, and gluten-free components.
The Type of Skin
Striae are stretch marks that appear as resting scars under the skin. As a result, they’re tough to deal with. They appear when the skin expands rapidly (for example, during pregnancy, fast weight gain or loss, or adolescence) and have a purple, pink, or red tint at first, eventually fading to a flesh-toned appearance. Stretch marks will fade over time. Even though stretch marks can fade with time, you should keep your skin type in mind while selecting a stretch mark cream. If you have sensitive skin, stay away from any lotions that include artificial substances or perfumes.
Cost
Stretch mark creams are often used more than once a day, so think about the price and how often you’ll need to purchase them. Determine the cost of the cream per ounce to ensure you’re getting the most bang for your buck. Divide the cost of the cream by the number of fluid ounces to arrive at this figure.
Stretch mark creams are tough to treat, so in addition to the expense of the cream, you may be considering an office treatment after the baby is born, which is an additional cost to consider. Although office treatments are more costly than over-the-counter creams, they do have a visible impact on stretch marks.
Is It Safe to Use Stretch Mark Cream During Pregnancy?
We can’t promise that every stretch mark cream on the market is safe, but if you spot it on the shelf of an over-the-counter pharmacy, it’s acceptable to use. Most people that make stretch mark creams are concerned about the safety of pregnant women.
Are Stretch Mark Creams Effective?
Stretch mark lotions, oils, and ointments have a lot of anecdotal evidence, but there isn’t much scientific proof that they function. We do know, however, that avoiding stretch marks is much more feasible than treating them after they have appeared. The way you apply items may make a major difference in how well they perform for you. As soon as you find out you’re expecting, start moisturizing. If stretch marks have already begun to form, treat them as soon as possible to reduce the amount of time they must grow and darken.
Apply a few drops of oil or a couple of pumps of cream to the affected area. Moisturize your stomach, breasts, legs, and any other part of your body that you know expands when you gain weight. Apply the cream straight to any stretch marks that have already appeared. For around 30 seconds, gently massage the cream into your skin with your fingertips in a circular manner. Repeat two or three times each day for the duration of your pregnancy and for the three months after your delivery.