It is inevitable that as your baby grows inside you, your skin also has to grow and stretch. During pregnancy skin undergoes a period of rapid growth. Stretch marks occur when skin cells become over stretched and tight. Hormonal influences soften skin fibers and damage occurs as the supportive elastic layer of skin tears apart. Our genetics and skins elasticity play a big role in whether we will or wont suffer with stretch marks.
Sadly there isn't a 100% guarantee or magical cure to preventing stretch marks occurring and contrary to some adverts we can never truly make our stretch marks vanish post baby or weight loss without surgical treatment.
However all is not lost. I’m a believer in being proactive and positive. So here’s a list of things that you can do to help reduce stretch marks occurring.
- Maintain a healthy weight, Gradual, not rapid weight gain is best. You don't have to eat for two.
- Stay hydrated, drink at least 1.5 lts of fluid per day. Water, herbal teas, smoothies or caffeine free beverages).
- Eat a healthy balanced diet including fresh fruit, vegetables and vitamin rich foods.
- Reduce processed food intake. These can contain large amounts of salt, sugar and fat.
- Go for a walk or swim. Exercise improves circulation which helps skin stay supple.
- Massage the skin with oils/ lotions or butters. This again improves circulation and helps keeps skin supple. Specific oils can hydrate and rejuvenate skin cells.
Natures touch has formulated a belly butter that penetrated deep into skin layers to help maintain skins elasticity and assist in cell regeneration. https://naturestouch.co.nz/products/belly-butter?variant=39048460306
