What Is Good For Stretch Marks During Pregnancy?

Pregnancy stretch marks are one of the most annoying skin problems during pregnancy. As with many other problems, the effect of hormones is great in the problem of stretch marks during pregnancy.

So what is good for stretch marks during pregnancy, how are pregnancy stretch marks and what can you do to prevent stretch marks? We explained it all!

When does stretch marks start during pregnancy?

During a certain period of pregnancy, pink or reddish (sometimes purplish), slightly indented and sometimes itchy lines may occur on the chest, hips and/or abdomen. These lines are in the form of thin tears that occur due to excessive stretching of the supporting tissue layers under the skin.

Abdominal stretch marks usually appear gradually in the 3rd or 4th months of pregnancy . Because during this period, the connective tissue stretches too much. As a result, red cracks appear.

However, sometimes they may not be seen until the last 3-4 weeks, and they may appear later. Especially in the 6th month of pregnancy, deep cracks may occur in the abdomen.

What causes stretch marks during pregnancy?

Pregnancy stretch marks can occur due to both mechanical stress and hormonal reasons. Stretch marks are most common in the lower abdomen. It can occur on the hips, thighs, breasts, and even the arms. There may be itching before the cracks on the skin. However, these itches are not only due to cracks, but may also occur for different reasons during the whole pregnancy.

The most important determining factor in the formation of stretch marks is genetics. In other words, women whose mothers or sisters have stretch marks are more likely to develop stretch marks during their pregnancy.

Apart from genetics, another risk factor for stretch marks is sudden and excess weight gain. Pregnant women with sudden weight gain are also more likely to have stretch marks. The rapidly growing abdomen can cause stretching of the skin and loss of elasticity, causing cracks. For this reason, weight gain in balanced and ideal limits is important to prevent crack formation.

Let’s give information about who is most seen with pregnancy stretch marks. Stretch marks are almost never seen in black women, but are less common in Asians. About 75-90% of white women have abdominal or skin stretch marks at varying rates.

You may wonder if there will be stretch marks in the 2nd pregnancy . If you have had stretch marks in your previous pregnancies, there is a strong possibility that they will occur in your next pregnancy as well. Temporary darkening of the color of previous cracks may also occur.

How do pregnancy stretch marks go?

Stretch marks, unfortunately, do not disappear after birth. They change color to become silver or mother-of-pearl. There are many surgical techniques developed to get rid of stretch marks. These techniques applied in the treatment of stretch marks are performed by plastic surgeons.

You can also consider reducing the visibility of stretch marks with laser therapy or Retin-A after giving birth to a dermatologist. Be proud of your stretch marks until then!

What is good for stretch marks during pregnancy?

Throughout your pregnancy, you need to take good care of your body, not just for the baby, but for yourself as well. We have given some advice for you on what to apply on the belly of a pregnant woman against unwanted stretch marks.

Use stretch mark creams!

Starting from the second trimester of pregnancy, moisturizing your skin regularly can give effective results. Although it has not been scientifically proven, women who use it say that anti-stretch creams are effective. They are good for dry and itchy skin.

Are there any anti-stretch oils during pregnancy?

The main point in preventing crack formation is to moisturize the body and maintain its elasticity. At this stage , you can prevent the formation of stretch marks with the help of anti-stretch herbal oils during pregnancy . Let’s see what oils should be used for stretch marks during pregnancy?

Almond oil: If  you are wondering what is good for stomachaches during pregnancy, let’s say that almond oil is one of the most useful products. It is also very effective in preventing the formation of stretch marks during pregnancy and moisturizing the skin. Even if it smells a little bad, you can try it as it calms the skin and preserves its elasticity. 

Cocoa butter: Cocoa butter,  which provides cell renewal as it accelerates blood circulation in the body, is also one of the products used as an anti-crack. To prevent stretch marks during pregnancy, it is recommended to apply cocoa butter to the skin every day and wait for at least 2 hours. 

Coconut oil: The  use of coconut oil, which prevents the skin from stretching thanks to its intense moisture content, has been very popular lately. You can provide cell renewal by applying this oil to the skin by massaging. 

Olive oil: Olive  oil, which contains plenty of vitamin E, can be given as an oil recommendation for pregnancy stretch marks, as it reduces the tension of the skin. 

Wheat oil: Wheat oil,  which contains dense fiber and omega oils, is also used as pregnancy crack oil. 

These recommendations, of course, have no confirmed effect in the medical literature. Therefore, we recommend that you do not use these products without consulting your doctor. Also, in case of allergies, you can apply the oils to your arm before using them and wait for a while to see if there is an allergy. 

So when should anti-stretch oils be used during pregnancy ? Creams and oils are generally recommended to be used from the very beginning of pregnancy.

What should be done to avoid stretch marks during pregnancy?

Expectant mothers, who have very flexible skin due to hereditary reasons or because they have been eating and exercising very well for years, can survive the pregnancy without any cracks.

If the mother does not have pregnancy stretch marks, we can say that she is considered one of the lucky ones. Otherwise, your skin is likely to crack. So, how to prevent pregnancy stretch marks ?

• Keep your skin hydrated! The best precaution you can take to prevent stretch marks is to keep your skin hydrated. You can achieve this with a balanced and healthy diet and adequate fluid intake.
• Gain weight in moderation! If you gain weight slowly, in moderation, and properly, you can reduce stretch marks, if not completely prevent them. The faster the deep is stretched, the higher the chance of cracking.
• Drink lots of water! The importance of water consumption during pregnancy also shows itself in the prevention of stretch marks. Water should be at the center of your life.
• Eat healthy and balanced! Since a balanced diet prevents sudden and excessive weight gain, it prevents the abdomen from stretching more than it should. 
• Accelerate blood circulation! If you rub your belly by massaging in circular motions with the help of a soft sponge or brush during the shower, you will accelerate the blood circulation. This helps maintain the elasticity of the skin.
• Exercise! Exercise plays an important role in preventing stretch marks as well as healthy eating and water consumption. Regular exercise during pregnancy also prevents the formation of cracks, as it gives flexibility to the skin.