Get Rid Of Pregnancy Stretch Marks: When You Don’t Succeed
February 22, 2009
Trying to eliminate stretch marks for many pregnant women isn’t always possible, particularly when you are expecting a multiple birth or for whatever reason you are gaining a lot of weight far too rapidly. And there is evidence to suggest that some people are genetically doomed to suffer these unsightly tears. What can you do after your baby is born to help your skin erase those ugly dark blotches and furrows? Will anything really help? What are the top stretch marks treatments?
Give It Time
Mother Nature is your best friend here. That dark, livid, stretch mark coloring comes from ruptured capillaries and small tears just below the surface of your skin. These will gradually fade, ending up anything from a shade or two lighter than your normal skin tone to translucent white. Most people will hardly notice them.
And post-pregnancy hormones (oxytocins) will speed the process, if you let them do their job.
In a few unlucky individuals, preventing pregnancy stretch marks doesn’t work and the resulting scars just don’t fade. In such cases, all the creams, hydration and healthy nutrients in the world won’t work.
If this describes your situation, you may need to turn to laser surgery or chemical peels. These procedures can provide the boost you need by stimulating your natural collagen production and tightening flaccid skin. Be warned, however – both are expensive. And chemical peels won’t work on naturally dark-toned skin.
Topical Creams And Lotions
Applying topical creams and lotions is the first thing most people do. It can actually be helpful, for two reasons:
If you pick a good cream, it can help your skin heal, providing anti oxidants, moisture and relief from further irritation that makes you scratch (and damage!) your already-traumatized skin
The regular massage and oxygenation that rubbing creams and lotions into your skin provides can actually help kick-start natural collagen production.
Just make sure you pick a good skin care product, one that does contain antioxidants like Vitamin C, A and E – and doesn’t contain toxic chemicals!
Bad ingredients to watch out for: petroleum or petrolatum products, parabens, dioxanes, Triclosan and alcohol. (The latter is not toxic, but very drying, and can open the way to fungal infections if it destroys your pH balance.)
Foods That Can Help
The final piece of the puzzle involves being careful what you provide on the inside. Hydrate your skin and eliminate toxins by drinking those 8-10 daily glasses of water. Cut down on skin-drying caffeinated drinks – they will starve your skin. Fatty foods also have a similar harmful effect.
Fiber will help you eliminate the natural toxic waste material your skin regularly exudes, as will antioxidants containing vitamin C and E.
Fruits (especially citrus), whole grains, vegetables, fish, eggs and lean meat contribute also to healthy skin that heals quickly. (And they will power boost your fight to lose post-pregnancy weight too.)
Preventing pregnancy stretch marks may not always be possible – but taking a triple-whammy approach to eliminate stretch marks through moisturization and massage, informed nutrition and hydration, and just plain allowing your body to heal can go a long way.
