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Pregnancy and stretch marks: what to do?
Last reviewed: 01.07.2025
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Pregnancy is a happy time for every woman. However, few expectant mothers manage to avoid stretch marks after childbirth. Scars that form from excessive stretching of the skin look unattractive and, of course, upset women very much. They can appear on the stomach, thighs and buttocks. Ilive wants to share ways to help prevent and get rid of stretch marks.
Where do stretch marks come from?
During pregnancy, hormonal changes and weight fluctuations occur. Due to the thinning of the surface layers, the skin loses its elasticity. The places of ruptures in the skin layers quickly become overgrown with connective tissue, and thus stretch marks appear on the body. At first, stretch marks are pinkish in color, but then they become less pronounced and turn white.
Preventing Stretch Marks During Pregnancy
If you approach the issue of stretch marks in advance, then subsequently there will be much fewer of them and it will be easier to get rid of them.
- Nutrition
Expectant mothers often neglect the need to maintain a normal weight and eat a lot and, what is even more dangerous, a lot of unhealthy food. First of all, give up various buns, pies and products that provoke a sharp increase in weight. Moreover, this is not good for either the child or the mother.
- Vitamins
The body of the expectant mother needs support, that is, additional intake of vitamins and minerals. Consult with your doctor about which vitamin complex is right for you.
- Water
Drink water and as much as possible. This way you can keep your skin firm and elastic, and therefore reduce the risk of stretch marks. However, before doing this, be sure to consult with your doctor about contraindications.
- Workwear
This sounds a bit scary, but in reality, we are talking about a special bra that will help prevent stretch marks above the breasts. During pregnancy, the breasts increase in size and can stretch the skin, which is why stretch marks appear in this area.
- Limit your consumption of drinks containing caffeine
If you are a passionate coffee lover, then try to at least limit your coffee consumption. Caffeine contributes to the appearance of stretch marks. But its effect can be neutralized to some extent if you drink water in approximately the same quantities.
- Massage for skin
To prevent blood from stagnating, massage and rub problem areas - chest, stomach, thighs and buttocks.
- Hardening
The skin needs to be hardened, so ice cubes and contrast showers will be good allies in the fight against unsightly scars.
What to do if stretch marks appear?
- Anti-stretch mark cream
Using special anti-stretch mark products will help reduce their number by stimulating collagen and elastin.
- The sun will reveal all defects
Unfortunately, the tan will not lie evenly in those places where stretch marks have appeared, because the connective tissue will not hold the pigment. Therefore, when staying in the sun, it is better to observe moderation and not to tan black.
- Radical methods of getting rid of scars
The most effective methods of eliminating stretch marks are cosmetic procedures and surgery, that is, getting rid of stretch marks by radical methods.
The most popular of these are: laser surgery, peeling, dermabrasion, mesotherapy and abdominoplasty.