Some women are ok with stretch marks, while others absolutely hate them. Personally, I am not a huge fan of them, but I know it is just a normal part of motherhood. However, it is difficult not to question myself does pregnancy stretch marks ever go away. While your stretch marks will fade and be less noticeable, they will always be a part of you. However, there are some things that you can do to minimize stretch marks.
When Does Pregnancy Stretch Marks Appear?
You may be asking when does pregnancy stretch marks appear in the first place? Typically, you will get stretch marks at the end of your second semester and the beginning of your third trimester. So this will be somewhere around six to seven months pregnant. Most women will get these stretch marks, and they will come in pink, purple, brown, or red streaks. You will see them on your belly, hips, breasts, and thighs.
What Causes Pregnancy Stretch Marks?
Stretch marks are tears in the tissue under your skin. When this skin is pulled tight, this is what causes stretch marks. The elasticity of your skin determines stretch marks.
Lifestyle Habits And Pregnancy Stretch Marks
Lifestyle habits also help to contribute to stretch marks. For example, if you exercise and do things like eating well, you will improve your skin’s elasticity.
Weight Gain And Pregnancy Stretch Marks
The other factor behind your stretch marks is how much and how quickly you gain weight. If you gain a lot of weight rapidly, you can expect to develop stretch marks.
Genetics And Pregnancy Stretch MarksΒ
Genetics are also thought that they may play a significant role in developing stretch marks. So, for example, if your mother had stretch marks, chances are you will have them as well.
5 Efficient Ways To Prevent Stretch Marks When Pregnant?
You may now be asking can you prevent stretch marks when pregnant? Indeed, there are some things that you can do, but they may or may not work. Fortunately, most of these things can help minimize the appearance of your stretch marks while pregnant and then after.
1. Massage and Moisturizing
Massaging your hips, belly, and thighs will help to minimize the look of stretch marks. There are many different oils and lotions out there that are geared towards helping prevent and treat stretch marks. In addition, you will want to make sure that you moisturize daily. Massaging your skin will help the products get into your skin faster. However, before you start using any product, read the ingredients list carefully and ensure that none of them is potentially harmful to your baby. For instance, some oils are dangerous to use during pregnancy. So make sure to consult your doctor before you start using any moisture product.
2. Nourishing Your Skin With Vitamins And Minerals
You will want to make sure that you take your prenatal vitamins every day to help your skin health, overall health, and baby’s health. Vitamin C-rich foods help to promote tissue and collagen production, which will, in turn, keep the elasticity in your skin. Loading up on foods that are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, choline, and vitamin D can also help your skin.
3. Exercise
We can add to the long list of benefits of exercising the prevention of stretch marks during pregnancy. Indeed, exercise can improve circulation and help the skin stay elastic and stretch as it grows. Some good options can be prenatal yoga and prenatal pilates.
4. Keep Up With Your Weight Gain
Rapid weight gain can cause stretch marks, so keeping your weight gain slow and steady can help you prevent getting stretch marks or make sure the ones you do get are small. It is easy to overeat when you are eating for two, so you should make sure that you are eating correctly. Speak with your doctor about a diet plan and things that you should avoid eating during pregnancy.
5. Give It Time
Patience is a virtue when answering the question does pregnancy stretch marks go away. Over time, your stretch marks will lighten and fade away on their own, but you may still see some remnants of them. However, within a year, your stretch marks may not be very noticeable.
Alternative Options Once You Deliver
Even after following all the prevention tips mentioned above, you can still end up having stretch marks. In that case, you can:
Explore Doctor Treatments
More than likely, you will not be able to prevent stretch marks altogether. However, you can talk to your doctor about possible treatments and their safety. Some examples of treatments are:
β’ Chemical peelsβ’ Laser therapyβ’ Microneedlingβ’ Microdermabrasion
However, none of these treatments can be done while pregnant, so you will have to wait until you are no longer pregnant. Even if these treatments were safe to do during pregnancy, your skin would continue to change when you are pregnant and then your postpartum period.
Use Makeup
If you are not a fan of these types of treatments, you can occasionally use some makeup to cover them. You can apply darker-toned makeup to the area. For example, if you have your belly exposed, touch up the stretch mark areas with a bit of liquid makeup. You can use self-tanner, but you should wait until you have had your baby before trying it. Some makeup cosmetics contain ingredients that can be harmful to your baby, so you shouldn’t use them while being pregnant, ideally, even after pregnancy. If it’s not good for your baby, it’s not good for you, neither.Unfortunately, the makeup fix is just temporary and will not treat the stretch marks.
Does Pregnancy Stretch Marks Go Away: To Sum It Up
If you hate stretch marks, you can do some of the things above to help minimize them. About six months after birth, you should notice that your stretch marks have faded. They will be a pale white color that you will not be able to see well. Doing things like moisturizing will help to minimize them further. Unfortunately, some women will keep darker-colored stretch marks for the rest of their life due to genetics or other skin issues. If you are a woman that is stuck with stretch marks, do not feel bad. There are many in the same boat as you, and we just have to wear them with pride.
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Such an informative post! With my first, I had stretch marks on my hips despite using Bio Oil and Cocoa Butter. A couple of years later I noticed I didn't see them anymore. When I had my second, I had stretch marks under my belly button. It's been 19 months and they are still there. There are bigger issues to deal with in life, so it really doesn't bother me. I'm grateful my body did its job in keeping my babies safe in utero.
Crystal | http://www.amazingbaby.app