Stretch marks are common among people who rapidly gain weight. These streaks are formed by rapid expansion of the skin. For example, body builder, athletes, pregnant women experience the formation of stretch marks due to the rapid growth of muscles in their body.

For pregnant women, stretch marks start appearing right from 6 months on the belly as it expands rapidly to accommodate the baby. They are also common in upper arms, breasts, lower back, buttocks and thighs. They are visible in areas which store fat and causes stretching of skin. The itchy feeling of these marks make it more pronounced. It takes about 6 months to one year to heal the marks. Hence, special care needs to be taken during and after pregnancy to reduce these marks.

The following are some simple tips to avoid the formation of stretch marks:

• Follow a healthy skin care routine which is practical on a daily basis and less time consuming

• Monitor the rate at which you gain weight during pregnancy. If there is sudden gain of lot of weight, the skin has to stretch beyond its elastic limit and would lose its tolerance resulting in scarring and tearing of the delicate tissues

• Hydrate your skin regularly and avoid dryness especially in vital areas like thighs, abdomen and buttocks where the strain may be very high for the skin

• Be wary of itching sensation on skin as this is the sign for marks to appear. Nourish this part of the skin with adequate lotions and creams. This would moisturize the skin and enhance the tolerance and flexibility to expand

• Massage your skin in the areas which are prone to stretch marks. This would stimulate the circulation of blood and make the skin look healthier

• Your diet directly affects the health of your skin. Eating a well balanced and nutritious food helps in body nourishment and also developing a flexible skin

• Consume food items rich in vitamins and antioxidants. Vitamin C and E help you build connective tissues and scarring of marks

• Consult your doctor for other nutritional supplements to maintain general health

• Reduce your stress and anxiety levels. This would directly help in your well-being

• Consuming the right dietary supplements nourishes your body, improves baby health and helps you cope up with the body stress

• Apply ointments that contain glycolic acid

• Cocoa butter lotion is effective to lighten the visibility of the marks

• Drink plenty of water to improve overall health and avoid dryness of the skin

• If you see stretch marks appearing, massage with a body brush or a soft cloth in the area to improve blood circulation

• Perform simple exercises as recommended by your doctor to make you skin stay firm

• Leg lifts, slow push ups and walking are a must during pregnancy

Home remedies:

• Neroli oil is a natural harmless product that can be applied on the stretch marks

• Emu oil is applied to the scars to reduce visibility

Jonathan Pitts

Copyrighted material; do not reprint without permission.

 

View all articles by Jonathan Pitts