Rid yourself of stretchmarks

Stretch marks during pregnancy are caused by the rapid and extreme stretching of the skin. They begin in the deeper layers of the skin that can't be seen, and little breaks occur, causing scarring in the outer layers. There are hundreds of products on the market, as well as home remedies, that are supposed to prevent them, and in some cases remove them. Most of these so called remedies have not been clinically tested or proven to have any real effect on stretch marks. Creams and lotions are applied to the top layers of the skin, but the damage is being done in the deeper layers. Keeping the skin moisturized will help it retain elasticity, and may help reduce the occurrence of stretch marks during pregnancy.

Keeping weight gain to a minimum by eating healthy and drinking plenty of water will help reduce the severity of stretch marks during pregnancy. The added benefit of a healthy diet is a healthier mom and baby. Regular exercise is also important for both mom and baby. Consult your doctor first about which exercises you will be able to do. Walking is easiest and can really help keep the pounds off without putting you or baby at risk. The more weight you gain, the greater the chances of causing stretch marks during pregnancy.

The stretch marks show up as dark red or even blueish purple, and fade in time to resemble scar tissue, which is what they are. The tiny tears in the lower layers of skin cause a lack of collagen circulation in the upper layers, resulting in scars known as stretch marks. There are many treatments to remove or fade them after they are present, but the best course of treatment is to try to reduce the occurrence of stretch marks during pregnancy so the damage will be minimal. Massaging the skin with a washcloth or body brush while showering has been said to help improve circulation, and minimize stretch marks. There will be no way to completely avoid them, since the skin will stretch due to the growth of the new baby.