| woman, you have probably been | | | | weight gain during your pregnancy and strive for a |
| “blessed” with a stretch mark or two. | | | | more moderate and even weight gain to the extent |
| Whether it happened during puberty, as physiological | | | | possible. |
| growth spurts stretched your skin beyond its tolerance, | | | | Don’t Forget to Hydrate Your Skin |
| or during a previous pregnancy, stretch marks are | | | | The proper hydration of your skin during pregnancy is |
| simply a normal part of life. But if you are ready to say, | | | | a key element of any skin care program. As |
| “No More!”, then you need to be aware | | | | pregnancy will place more tension on your skin in the |
| of ways to prevent stretch marks during pregnancy or | | | | abdomen, thighs and buttocks areas, your skin |
| other periods of dramatic weight change. | | | | becomes more sensitive. You may experience |
| As the saying goes, “An ounce of prevention is | | | | sensations of itching and pressure as your skin |
| worth a pound of cure!” This little pearl of | | | | expands. This is where the application of a high quality |
| wisdom also applies to the prevention of stretch | | | | stretch mark cream or body lotion can not only relieve |
| marks. As you probably know, removing stretch marks | | | | some of these symptoms, but also enhance the skins |
| is not an easy process and can take months just to | | | | ability to expand and flex. |
| fade them enough so they are not quite as noticeable. | | | | Massage Your Skin |
| There are effective stretch mark creams and lotions | | | | This is a practice that is often overlooked but can |
| that do a pretty good job of repairing the damaged | | | | really help with the prevention of stretch marks. Take |
| skin, but they can be costly and time consuming. | | | | a gentle brush or massage glove and gently massage |
| So, if you are concerned about developing any further | | | | the skin in those high risk areas, generally your |
| stretch marks during pregnancy, try following these | | | | abdomen and thighs. This will stimulate circulation to the |
| helpful tips. Your odds of avoiding further skin damage | | | | skin and promote healthier and more resilient skin |
| and scarring will be dramatically improved, and as an | | | | tissue. |
| added bonus, the appearance your existing stretch | | | | Eat Right and Take Vitamins |
| marks may benefit too! | | | | Being as healthy as you possibly can during pregnancy |
| Establish a Skin Care Program | | | | has multiple benefits. Firstly and most importantly, it |
| The first step in preventing stretch marks is to develop | | | | helps develop a strong and healthy baby. Secondly, it |
| a routine skin care program. Don’t make your | | | | helps your body counter the stresses placed on it |
| program so complicated or cumbersome that you will | | | | during and after your pregnancy. This also includes |
| not stick with it. A simple plan that you will be able to | | | | your skin’s health. Eating nutritional and healthy |
| follow easily on a daily basis will prove far more | | | | meals, complimented by a vitamin prescribed by your |
| effective than a more elaborate routine that you will | | | | doctor, will help keep your skin healthy and radiant. |
| only follow on a hit and miss basis. | | | | These five helpful skin care tips, if practiced routinely, |
| Moderate Your Weight Gain | | | | will help prevent stretch marks during pregnancy. |
| Though some weight gain is natural during pregnancy, | | | | Obviously, there are no absolute guarantees due to |
| the rate at which the additional pounds are added is | | | | the variability of skin types and conditions, but |
| very important. Remember that the skin has a natural | | | | establishing a skin care program will definitely tip the |
| tendency to flex or stretch without damaging the skin | | | | odds in your favor of preventing any further stretch |
| tissue. However, sudden weight changes can stretch | | | | marks. So, don’t be afraid of pampering |
| the skin beyond its tolerances and tearing and scarring | | | | yourself a little, you truly deserve it! |
| result, also known as stretch marks. So, monitor your | | | | |