Can You Really Combat Stretch Marks in Pregnancy?
Most pregnancy skin problems are temporary and caused by hormonal changes. While it is safe to say that no expectant mother welcomes pregnancy acne with open arms, and many don’t like that dark vertical line (the linea negra) on their belly much either, they do have a definite edge over stretch marks. After all, they go away after you give birth. Stretch marks, on the other hand, tend to stick around. They might fade, but they are there to stay.
No wonder that so many pregnant women obsess about stretch mark creams that are supposed to keep those nasty red lines away from your belly, thighs, buttocks, back and breasts. Wow, that is some long list – stretch marks can form in any place where the skin is stretched, pregnant or not. But of course, that growing baby guarantees that your skin will face a challenge or two.
I remember running out to a fancy London department store immediately after my pregnancy test turned up positive. After a quick consultation with a sales girl, I decided to buy the most expensive anti-stretch mark cream that I could find. It was from Estee Lauder’s Re-Nutriv line, cost over $100, and it smelled gorgeous. It felt really nice on the skin as well, and for a while it seemed to do its job. No stretch marks appeared anywhere on my body throughout my pregnancy, and I was rather pleased!
Then, after I gave birth to my daughter, three long, red, cracks became noticeable right on my abs. Stretch marks! Needless to say, I didn’t bother to buy stretch marks creams – expensive or otherwise – for my next pregnancy. And guess what? I didn’t get any new stretch marks!
Stretch marks are just like other pregnancy signs, in that some women get them and others don’t. And when you play the genetic lottery, nobody gets a say in whether you get stretch marks or not. Not even Estee Lauder. Now, that might sound rather dramatic, but four years on I can say that I am not unhappy with my stretch marks, and lots of mothers feel the same.
Once they are there, there is little you can do about them but accept that these lines are now a part of your body. And perhaps they start out being red or dark purple, but they fade into slightly silvery or white lines that are truly hardly noticeable. Some stretch marks are a great trade for a great kid, I think! And you can still look great even with a little striae – even in a bikini!
Does that mean that you do not have to take care of your skin in pregnancy? Obviously not. Hydrated skin is healthier and feels more pleasant than dry skin. When you are pregnant, keeping your skin moisturized can prevent itchy skin as your belly stretches, and a nice-smelling stretch mark cream will still make you feel like a Queen, even if it does not prevent stretch marks!
See Also:
If you enjoyed this post, please consider leaving a comment, subscribe to the feed and get future articles delivered to your feed reader or follow us on Twitter.
Comments
No comments yet.
Leave a comment