Stretch marks are very common after pregnancy. The skin stretches less quickly as your body and your uterus prepare for the arrival of the baby who is growing in your belly. The dermis breaks due to this stretching and this causes stretch marks as we know them. It is therefore not surprising that these appear more obviously on the abdomen, hips and breasts. These often purple or reddish traces become whiter or grayish over time. Not all pregnant women are equal when it comes to this phenomenon because of genetics which affect the elasticity of the skin. However, that doesn’t mean there isn’t anything we can do about it.
Although changes in the body are normal with pregnancy, stretch marks are a change that is not always well accepted. Are you wondering how to avoid (or in any case, reduce the risk) the appearance of unsightly white or purple stretch marks during your pregnancy? Follow these few tips and natural remedies.
1) Diet to prevent pregnancy stretch marks
For a healthy baby who is growing well, adopting a balanced and varied diet is more than recommended. But in addition to that, you can eat foods that are good for the skin in order to provide better elasticity (and therefore less risk of having stretch marks).
- This starts with eating seasonal fruits and vegetables rich in antioxidants.
- Vitamin E is also excellent for skin cells and it should not be neglected (broccoli, avocado, nuts, seeds, etc.).
- Vitamin A (red pepper, mango, sweet potatoes, squash, carrots, etc.) plays a role in tissue repair and it is therefore important here, because these are put to the test during pregnancy.
- The last major allies for radiant skin and healthy cell membranes, foods rich in omega-3 (eggs, nuts, fish oil, fish that do not contain too much mercury [gros poissons, daurade, l’espadon, le marlin, le requin et thon sont à éviter en surconsommation]…
2) Hydrate to perfection against those streaks
Staying hydrated allows you to keep healthy cells at the skin level and take good care of it. This involves several possibilities. Already, it is possible to drink a lot of water, around 8 glasses per day. Also, consuming caffeine-free herbal teas helps you hydrate. Finally, you can also opt for juicy seasonal fruits and vegetables. This can for example be cucumber, strawberries, watermelons…
3) Exercise
Sports is good for skin elasticity and blood circulation. But of course you can’t opt for just any sport. It is advisable to favor adapted sports, without risk of falling and with low impact (which do not cause jolts). Fortunately, the choice remains very wide: it can be yoga, stretching, Pilates, Kegel, etc. (NB: note that the practice of yoga is not recommended during the first 3 months of pregnancy. )