When you’re pregnant, your body goes through many changes, and sometimes, these changes can be a source of insecurity. One such change is the appearance of stretch marks. While there’s nothing wrong with having them, they can be a sore spot for some women, especially since they may take time to fade. Below, some of the measures you can take to help prevent the development of stretch marks:
1. Stay hydrated.
When you’re hydrated, your skin is soft and supple. Having soft skin versus dry skin makes you less likely to form stretch marks compared to dry skin, so make sure you’re drinking your eight glasses of water daily.
2. Eat less meat.
Stretch marks are caused by the rapid expansion of your body. According to Dr. Margarita Santella-Jara, meat-eaters are more likely to develop stretch marks because they have a tendency to gain more weight. Try to lessen your meat intake, and load up on fruit and veggies to help keep you, your baby, and your skin happy.
3. Incorporate vitamin C into your diet.
Vitamin C helps with the development of collagen, a key protein that helps keep your skin strong and elastic. You can find vitamin C in citrus fruit, vegetables, and ascorbic acid supplements.
4. Don’t scratch.
When your skin expands, it has the tendency to itch because it’s stretching itself out. Scratching your skin could make it prone to tearing (and thus more susceptible to developing stretch marks). To prevent this, moisturize your skin with a rich cream to prevent dryness and itching.
5. Apply cocoa butter on your belly twice a day.
Since your skin is stretching, it’s best to keep it moisturized. Applying a heavy moisturizing ingredient like cocoa butter is a good way to keep your skin hydrated so it can expand with your body.
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Try Palmer’s Massage Lotion for Stretch Marks (P625) and Massage Cream for Stretch Marks (P595). It’s formulated with ingredients like pure cocoa butter and shea butter, natural oils, collagen, elastin, and lutein to help keep your skin hydrated and to help prevent stretch marks throughout your pregnancy.
Shop Palmer's Massage Lotion for Stretch Marks and Massage Cream for Stretch Marks at Rustan's The Beauty Source or Watson's Personal Care Stores. To learn more, visit the Palmer's website.
