Stretch marks in pregnancy: when they appear and the best remedies to prevent them

Stretch marks in pregnancy are a well known problem. Are you worried about finding out when they appear, how to prevent them and what are the best anti-stretch mark remedies? First, take a deep breath and consider that 90% of pregnant women suffer from it: you are not the only one! It is in fact a very common disorder, due to weight change and hormonal changes.

The skin, with the progressive increase of the belly, undergoes a tension that puts a strain on the elasticity of its tissues. Stretch marks in pregnancy are nothing but the consequent scarring of this inflammation of the dermis, the deepest layer of the skin. first they take on the red color, to become white at a later stage.The areas most at risk are therefore those that undergo the greatest weight gain: the belly and breasts.

If on the one hand the genetic predisposition in the formation of stretch marks in pregnancy also counts, the hormonal factor certainly plays a decisive role: from this point of view, young women are more at risk due to a more intense hormonal activity.

When do stretch marks appear in pregnancy?

Stretch marks in pregnancy generally appear between the sixth and eighth month, when the elastic tissue of the skin is most taut.

Furthermore, hormonal variations act directly on the formation of stretch marks causing an overproduction of substances, such as relaxin, which alter the tone of the tissue.

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How to prevent stretch marks in pregnancy?

Preventing stretch marks in pregnancy is better than treating them, that's for sure. White stretch marks, now at an advanced stage, can hardly be completely erased. It will therefore be necessary to follow some precautions to prevent their formation as much as possible.

First of all, pay attention to the diet during pregnancy! Try not to gain too many kilos more than necessary, to avoid straining the skin tissues more, putting a strain on the elasticity. Abundant in vegetables, legumes, nuts, fish and vegetable oils that help the regeneration of the skin, avoiding dishes that are too salty. It will also be important to follow a good training program: physical activity will help keep the skin taut and in shape. Half an hour of walking a day, water aerobics or healthy yoga is enough!

Avoid wearing clothes that are too tight to facilitate circulation and therefore cell turnover. Good for girdles for the baby bump and, in general, for elastic fabrics that support without crushing.

Very important to avoid stretch marks in pregnancy is fight water retention, drinking a lot and very often and indulging in draining massages. Don't forget to always moisturize your skin with the right creams.

Anti-stretch mark creams and vegetable oils, such as almond or shea, are equally essential to ensure the maintenance of the elasticity of the skin and avoid the formation of stretch marks. Remember to apply them daily from the first months of pregnancy, in order to prevent the "arising of the problem.

There are many brands that produce excellent stretch mark creams. Scroll through our gallery to discover the best:

See also: Stretch mark creams: top brands to choose from

© ISTOCK Stretch mark creams: top brands to choose from

If you prefer a 100% organic product over traditional creams on the market, you can opt for a natural DIY recipe. This is explained in the video that follows the procedure for making a natural preparation that helps to combat stretch marks and intensify the elasticity of the skin.

Remedies for pre- and post-pregnancy stretch marks

If by now the stretch marks have formed and you have not had time to prevent them, in post-pregnancy you can resort to some aesthetic medicine treatments such as the laser, which acts directly at the level of the dermis, or chemical peels, which produce a " skin abrasion capable of reactivating cell metabolism.

Another system is that of carboxytherapy, which consists in injecting carbon dioxide into the dermis to improve oxygenation and cell turnover.

Of course, none of these systems guarantees maximum results. Sometimes it is better to keep an extra stretch mark as a reminder of such an important and beautiful moment.