Postpartum Stretch Marks: How To Prevent And Eliminate Them

Postpartum stretch marks are a troublesome legacy of pregnancy. Pregnancy is, with good reason, one of the most probable causes of the onset of this imperfection.  Stretch marks generally appear on the abdomen, but also on the thighs, buttocks, hips, arms and torso. 

Basically, these are the parts of the body that have changed their size, and therefore those most likely to stretch and have stretch marks.

One of the most important factors in the appearance of stretch marks is undoubtedly the weight gain that occurs during pregnancy. This means that the more pounds you gain, the more likely you are to get stretch marks.

Genetics also play a fundamental role in the appearance of postpartum stretch marks. Likewise, metabolism and hormones affect them. Since these last two factors are beyond your control, we advise you to focus on some measures thanks to which you can avoid or decrease the appearance of stretch marks.

What Are Stretch Marks?

Stretch marks are purplish or whitish skin lines caused by the breakdown of the skin’s collagen fibers.  They typically appear when the skin tightens due to weight gain. Afterwards, the fibers break and the marks that remain are what we know by the name of stretch marks.

5 tips to avoid postpartum stretch marks

Even if they are inevitable, you can still follow a whole series of tips that will help you reduce their appearance. Below we will describe some steps to try to avoid the appearance of postpartum stretch marks.

1. Keep your weight under control

It is important to keep your weight under control. In fact, excessive weight gain during pregnancy is contraindicated for both the mother and the baby. It also contributes to the appearance of stretch marks, as the skin will stretch more than it should. To prevent it from getting too high, you need to eat well and exercise properly.

2.- Follow a healthy diet

Choose foods that provide antioxidants for collagen production and that help keep the skin toned and supple. So, prefer foods rich in vitamins A, C and E.  You will find them in fruits, vegetables, dairy products, meat, citrus fruits, vegetable oils, seeds, green leafy vegetables.

3. Exercise

Try to do some physical activity to keep fit.  We recommend light exercises, such as a nice walk. 

4. Keep your skin hydrated

It is important to drink plenty of water and get plenty of fluids to keep yourself hydrated. Which means, in this case, at least two liters of water per day.

In addition, you need to make sure that the foods you consume also contain a lot of fluids. Do not force yourself to take liquids, but try to take at least the recommended daily doses.

5. Use body creams

Once the pregnancy is over, stretch marks remain. You can use some creams to eliminate or reduce the appearance of these undesirable streaks on the body.  Their appearance is inevitable but there are alternatives to eliminate or mitigate them.

There is a wide variety of creams and gels on the market that you can use to solve the problem. Apply body creams that contain vitamin E or cocoa butter. The latter is one of the many creams suggested to combat stretch marks during and after pregnancy.

The ideal is to apply them twice a day until they disappear or until they are almost invisible. The sooner they are treated, the more chances you have to eliminate them or reduce their appearance. This natural method is more recommended than chemical or surgical ones, as it is less dangerous and more effective at the same time.

The care that an expectant mother gives to her skin will not guarantee that it remains immune from stretch marks.  However, it is not excessive to take precautions to prevent or treat them.

In short, skin with postpartum stretch marks is, for many women, a low blow to their self-esteem.

However, you should know that postpartum stretch marks are a normal symptom of pregnancy. So, after giving birth, the goal we must set ourselves is to ensure that the skin remains firm and soft as before. To do this we need to moisturize it both outside and inside, with creams, oils and good nutrition.