Stretch Marks Pregnancy, Causes, And Treatments

Stretch Marks Pregnancy, Causes, And Treatments

Stretch Marks After Pregnancy | Stretch Marks Treatment | Stretch Marks Remedy

Best stretch marks creams

Related: 10 Best pregnancy face wash

I remember when I found out about my pregnancy, my worse fear was having stretch marks. I Would always tell my friends that I wouldn’t mind putting on 50kg weight on, at least that I can work on and loose. But with the stretch mark, it seemed impossible to clear out.

And then came the interrogation phase, whenever I’m out and sees any women with a child, I’d start harassing them with stretch mark questions like;

  • If they had stretch marks
  • If they didn’t
  • How they managed it
  • What they did to not have it?
  • What they didn’t do?
  • What was used?
  • What food did they eat?
  • What food they didn’t eat?

Trust me, I can interrogate better than an FBI agent.

As expected, I got all of those answers, some right, some wrong, but one thing they all had in common was they were individual and REAL experiences. And with me that was so worried about not having any stretch marks, I did everything I was told, literally everything.

Related: Top 10 Best Creams For Old Stretch Marks

First, someone told me to never allow my tummy to be dry, I should always oil and moisturize constantly.

  • Oh my, was I moisturizing? I kid you not. I change my bedspread like 2-3 times a day, simply because it was always filled with oil and moisturizers and what not.

Another popular response I got was, Don’t scratch when it itches.

And if you’ve ever been pregnant you know when the tummy stretches it itches. Oh boy, I will be dying, but will never scratch and the funny part about this itching is that it doesn’t occur only on the tummy, it goes on to any part of the body that is prone to develop stretch marks like the arm, bum, thighs and also the back of my legs. You can imagine having to sit that experience and that level of discomfort and not scratch.

YES, I was that person. I was that vain and committed. 

  • Hold on before you begin to judge me, it all paid off. I didn’t develop any stretch marks and even the ones I had before faded. oh yes, they did. I have always had stretch marks on my arm ( I have the very popular Christian mother arm, bigger than every part of the body), my bum and back of my legs, hence the commitment.

Apart from getting personal experiences from real people, I still did a lot of research.

  • I think all that has helped me in having a vast knowledge of stretch marks in general as well as preventing them during pregnancy and how to treat them when they eventually appear.

Stretch marks in a simple definition, are narrow lines that occur on the skin surface and can appear in a different color based on your skin tone, they can be red or purple or darker and will gradually fade to a silvery color. They usually occur on the skin where fat is stored and has been stretched like thighs, breasts, tummy, upper arm, and sometimes around the shoulder.

Real Also: TIPS FOR BETTER SKIN AFTER MENOPAUSE

Stretch marks causes

Stretch marks occur in different stages in life and mostly depends on your skin type and how elastic it is. Genetics can also play a part in whether you will have a stretch mark or not. So basically not everyone will have the stretch mark.

The common mistake that so many people have is the idea that stretch marks happen to only people who are overweight. Don’t lose hope, even my size zero friend has more stretch marks on their breast than my size 14 self. The fact is, it can happen to anybody based on those three factors listed above, ie skin type, elasticity, and genetics.

And it often occurs during puberty, rapid weight gain, and pregnancy.

Related: How To Get Rid Of Stretch Marks On Your Thigh

Stretch marks Prevention

I bet a few of you have just asked your sisters, aunties, cousins if they had stretch marks during pregnancy? Just because I said genetics plays a huge role, well if they had there’s no need to panic good news is it can be prevented.

Heres a few practical steps:

1. Weight loss and gain.

Whether you want to lose weight or gain some, just do it in gradually. Loss of weight with sense. No need to yo-yo your way to the top, trust me I am the president of yo-yo dieters, it always backfires. This applies also to my skinny babies that want some thick, eat the burger with sense, so your skin doesn’t overstretch or shrink rapidly.

2. Creams, gels, and oil

There are some products you can get over the counter that works magic. Based on research and personal experience, I prefer oil or creams that are oil-based. Some people used gels which I tried but it was too tacky and made me uncomfortable. The key to effectively see the result is to apply generously especially during pregnancy, never allow those areas to stay dry, bath in these oils.

3. Avoid scratching

Personally, I take this scratching situation more seriously than rapid weight loss and gain. Especially when you scratch on dry skin. I have had an experience where I scratched my thigh so hard that it left three red lines, those lines that never faded and after a while, I started noticing stretch marks forming from those exact same lines.

So when it itches and you feel the need to scratch just gently massage the area with oil or cream whichever you have. No digging of fingers.

Related: 10 BEST SERUMS FOR STRETCH MARKS

Stretch marks treatment

Prevention we all know is better than cure but if you are too busy or too stressed to do those steps listed above, you still can treat it. Luckily, stretch marks can sometimes fade on there own though not completely, you can speed up the process by still continuously, consistently, and generously applying these creams and gels to affected areas.

There is a Laser treatment, which doesn’t completely fade them but can make them less noticeable and it is unnecessarily expensive. You can go for it if you can effortlessly afford it, but for us that are still in that zone, oil does the same job perfectly.

Finally, this post is not about condemning or insulting anyone with a stretch mark or saying its a bad thing to have stretch mark during pregnancy, it is just that people like to wear their scars differently especially mothers, which is ok. But for the few of us like me that can not do without crop top, then here it is.

Related: SKIN PROBLEMS DURING PREGNANCY

Stretch marks cream

Recommended Products I used:

Weleda Arnica Massage Oil - 3.4 Oz, 3.4 Ounces

$21.25  in stock
16 new from $15.69
Free shipping
Amazon.com
as of September 30, 2023 10:14 pm

Features

  • Contains 1- 3.4 Fluid Ounce Pump Bottle of Weleda Arnica Muscle Massage Oil
  • The soothing properties of arnica oil, blended with active carrier oils, help sore muscles feel relaxed
  • Warming, toning, invigorating and calming. Regular massage with this plant-rich oil helps skin to feel firm, more elastic and visibly renewed
  • Our products are free from synthetic compounds or toxic chemicals. Instead, we use flower, fruit and root extracts, minerals and essential oils, each one carefully selected and orchestrated to work with your body’s own systems
  • Nourish your skin with rich plant oils that brighten your spirit and calm your mind. Experience our full range of plant-rich skincare

Burts Bees - Mama Bees Relaxation Collection

$34.99  out of stock
5 new from $34.99
Free shipping
Amazon.com
as of September 30, 2023 10:14 pm

Features

  • Set/Kit
  • 3 pc
  • Hydrates and soothes
  • Mama bee collectoin
  • Moisturizing

Palmer's Cocoa Butter Formula Skin Therapy Moisturizing Body Oil with Vitamin E, Rosehip Fragrance | 5.1 Ounces

$15.00
$8.75
 in stock
6 new from $8.75
Free shipping
Amazon.com
as of September 30, 2023 10:14 pm

Features

  • Moisturizing Body Oil: This 48 hour Moisturizing Body Oil with Rosehip fragrance helps to improve the appearance of scars, stretch marks, dry, damaged skin, uneven skin tone, aging skin and fine lines and wrinkles
  • Special Formula: Made with Cocoa Butter to moisturize, Argan Oil to soften and condition, plus a blend of ingredients to hydrate and improve skin imperfections, and promote healthy skin cell rejuvenation
  • Finest Ingredients: We use only the finest natural, raw ingredients for soft, hydrated and beautiful hair & skin. We support sustainable production of Shea & Cocoa Butter and Coconut Oil. You can feel good about what you put on your hair and skin
  • Choose What's Real: Our nourishing skin care and hair care products feature real, high-quality, plant-based ingredients. Our product line for whole body care includes body butter, creams, balms, lotions, oils, soaps, pregnancy and stretch mark care
  • Why Palmers? For over 180 years, Palmer's has crafted treatment-oriented beauty products using Cocoa Butter, Coconut Oil, Shea Butter, Olive Oil & Vitamin E to soothe, hydrate, soften, replenish and revitalize skin and hair

Stretch Mark Eraser - Removal & Treatment of Stretch Marks from Pregnancy, Weight Gain & Body-building | Recommended Remover & Reducer Over Cream or Belly Butter (4oz/118ml)

 out of stock
Amazon.com
as of September 30, 2023 10:14 pm

Features

  • RESTORE ORIGINAL SKIN STRUCTURE - Your skin was stretched and now your body believes that's the new 'norm'. As your body produces new skin every day it follows the new 'stretched' blueprint. To truly rid yourself of these unsightly streaks and bands, you need to restore your skin's structure to the way it was before the stretch occurred.
  • PAUSE, DEGRADE, REBUILD - Stretch Mark Eraser's natural formulation promotes three key activities in the removal of stretch marks. First, it temporarily pauses the continual regrowth of abnormal skin structures. Second, it degrades and removes the malformed fibers, and third it promotes the rebuilding of normal structures when the time is right.
  • MORE THAN JUST MOISTURE - Most of the creams and belly butters available are simply great moisturizers. Moisturizing malformed skin fibers may temporarily fade the streaks but doesn't eliminate them. Stretch Mark Eraser has been clinically and scientifically validated to be much more than just a moisturizer.
  • SIX WEEKS TO BETTER SKIN - Liberal application of Stretch Mark Eraser 1-2 times daily has been shown to dramatically reduce the appearance of stretch marks. An extensive evaluation at SUNY Brooklyn's Department of Dermatology confirmed the formulation's effectiveness to affect collagen formation.
  • FOR BOTH MEN & WOMEN - Women suffer most from stretch marks due to pregnancy and maternity, but anyone who has endured a rapid bout with growth or weight gain likely has them as well. Men who lift weights or participate in weightlifting and body-building get them also. Stretch Mark Eraser works for men and women alike.

Cocoa Butter - Molivera Organics Raw Organic 100% Pure Raw Premium Grade A Natural Cocoa Butter 16 oz. - Best for DIY Lip Balm, Sticks, Face, Skin, Hair and Stretch Marks

 out of stock
Amazon.com
as of September 30, 2023 10:14 pm

Features

  • HIGHEST PREMIUM GRADE AVAILABLE. Our 100% Pure Cocoa Butter is Theraputic grade. Our Cocoa Butter is the best with unrivaled quality. Made is small batches with 100% Guaranteed freshest. Unlike other Cocoa Butters on the market, Molivera Organics 100% pure Cocoa Butter is, Unrefined, No Added Fragrance, Hexane Free, Preservative Free, Chemical Free, Cruelty Free, Natural, and 100% Vegan.
  • AMAZING AND FAST RESULTS. Cocoa Butter is Anti-Aging for soft, supple, elastic skin. Diminishes fine lines and Wrinkles. Cocoa butter repairs, renews, and protects your skin, hair, and nails while adding shine.
  • DEEPLY MOISTURIZING FOR GLOWING, YOUTHFUL SKIN. Cocoa Butter brings life and luster, and natural bounce back into hair, making it softer and more touchable than you ever imagined.
  • NATURALLY AND GENTLY HEALS AND NOURISHES, for visibly healthier, happier and more youthful skin and hair with Cocoa Butter’s extremely high levels of Anti-oxidants, Essential Fatty Acids, and Vitamins (Especially Vitamins E and K), making skin and hair stronger, more elastic, and glowing.
  • HIGHLY TRUSTED BRAND DEDICATED TO PURE AND NATURAL PRODUCTS. Guaranteed to be 100% amazed and thrilled with results or money back.

Hope my shared experience will help you get rid of that stretch marks.

Gracie D'Angel

Beauty and Skin Care Blogger Who also loves to travel and discover new places...

Recent Posts