There’s this thing with stretch marks: 100% effective methods for destroying them have not yet been invented. The most proven remedy is prevention. It can be trusted to several of the best, according to the editors of skin.ru, cosmetic products.
- Causes of stretch marks
- Types of remedies against stretch marks during pregnancy
- The best remedies for preventing stretch marks during pregnancy
- Selection rules
Causes of stretch marks
During pregnancy, some parts of the female body increase significantly in volume (hips, buttocks, abdomen, breasts), and stretch marks (also known as stretch marks) may form on them. The skin becomes uneven, as if cut by scars. This is nothing more than tissue rupture at the dermis level.
It has been noticed that stretch marks form in women up to 30-35 years of age, and at a later age they appear extremely rarely. © iStock
Doctors don't yet have a complete understanding of why this happens. But there are a number of factors (we list them below) that are considered triggers for the formation of stretch marks.
Hormonal changes in the body during pregnancy. A powerful release of hormones may be to blame for tears in elastin and collagen fibers in the thighs, abdomen and chest area.
Sudden weight gain. During all 9 months of pregnancy, it is important to ensure that your body weight is within the normal range (your doctor will tell you this).
Lack of skin care during pregnancy and after childbirth. Don't forget about preventing stretch marks from the first days of expecting your baby: moisturize and nourish the skin daily, especially in areas potentially susceptible to stretching.
Weakness of the abdominal muscles due to lack of physical activity before childbirth. Remember: moderate physical activity is good for the expectant mother. During fitness classes, cells are saturated with oxygen, the skin becomes more elastic.
Rapid growth in volume and sharp stretching of the skin. Elastin fibers simply do not have time to form in places where the skin is stretched.
Deficiency in the diet of substances that promote the synthesis of collagen and elastin. These are proteins, vitamin C, iron, calcium, B vitamins.
The best way to prevent stretch marks is a cream with a thick, oily texture. © iStock
It has been noticed that stretch marks form mainly in women under 30 years of age. If stretch marks did not appear during adolescence or during pregnancy, it is worth visiting a doctor. This may be a sign of a hormonal imbalance.
Types of remedies against stretch marks during pregnancy
It is rarely possible to restore skin after stretch marks without serious cosmetic procedures, such as radio wave lifting and photorejuvenation. And even this is not a guarantee of complete relief from deformations.
The “younger” the stretch marks, the easier it is to make them less noticeable. Do not delay solving the problem: recently formed stretch marks can be corrected better than those that appeared 1-2 years ago.
Cosmetologists and dermatologists insist on preventing stretch marks during pregnancy by softening and nourishing the skin. Severe itching may indicate a potential threat. Try to warn him.
The most effective means of preventing stretch marks are creams with a thick, dense, oily texture. Use them daily. Ideally - in the morning and evening.
The best remedies for preventing stretch marks during pregnancy
After studying the range of body care products, we chose the three best products according to the editors of skin.ru.
Cream-gel against stretch marks Biovergetures, Biotherm, promotes the synthesis of natural collagen thanks to the soybean and shea butters included in the composition, enhanced by algo-silicone. The developers promise that with regular use of the product, existing stretch marks will become less pronounced, and the risk of new ones will be minimized. Apply with light massage movements to the skin of the abdomen, thighs and buttocks.
Dry body oil Creme de Corps Nourishing Dry Body Oil, Kiehl’s, Based on squalane and grape seed oil, it nourishes and moisturizes the skin, making it soft and velvety. The spray format makes it easy to apply the aroma of vanilla and almond improves your mood.
where to find?
Softening milk that improves skin elasticity, Lipikar Lait, La Roche-Posay, contains shea butter, which moisturizes and nourishes the skin, and alpha-bisabolol, which eliminates itching and discomfort
Selection rules
In the fight against stretch marks, it is very important to understand two things.
It is unlikely that you will be able to get rid of them completely.
To make them as invisible as possible, you will need to be patient and regularly use special body care products.
A harbinger of the appearance of stretch marks is severe itching of the skin. © iStock
Choose products that include:
vitamins and antioxidants
emollients - natural oils and waxes, including almond oil and wheat germ and grape seed oils.
All the substances described above help nourish and strengthen the skin, and also even out its texture.
How to maintain the beauty of your body and not spoil it with stretch marks during pregnancy? What means can you trust? Let's look at the 10 best remedies for stretch marks during pregnancy.
To determine which remedy is best for stretch marks during pregnancy, you need to know what properties this remedy should have. When choosing an effective product, you need to look at the composition of the product. It should include components that provoke the following actions:
- Increased skin elasticity. Maintaining skin elasticity. Improving blood circulation. Skin moisturizing.
Who is responsible for what
Elastin. To ensure that the skin stretches without damage and is elastic, elastin may be included in the cosmetic product. Elastin, when applied to the skin, creates a thin film that prevents moisture loss. This means that the skin texture is visually evened out. Collagen is responsible for skin elasticity, works more effectively when paired with elastin. The effectiveness of a cream for stretch marks during pregnancy that contains collagen may vary. It depends on the quality of the collagen itself. You should not choose products with collagen of animal origin. Due to the large size of the molecules, collagen does not penetrate the dermis and therefore does not affect the structure of the skin itself. The optimal choice would be products with collagen of plant origin, ideal - with molecules of marine collagen. Minerals (selenium, zinc, silicon, copper, potassium, sodium) are responsible for the level of moisture in skin cells, promote wound healing and epidermal regeneration. Vitamins A, C, E have a good effect on skin turgor, are responsible for firmness and elasticity, increase resistance to skin atrophy, which helps prevent stretch marks. Vitamins stimulate the production of your own collagen, improve blood circulation, and promote cell renewal. Hyaluronic acid promotes the production of its own collagen, is responsible for the water balance of the skin, accelerates the regeneration of skin cells and tissues.It is impossible to say which remedy for stretch marks during pregnancy is the best, since we only see the composition of the cosmetic product, but cannot know about its formula. In addition, everyone’s skin condition is different and the need for certain components is different.
- You need to start using remedies for stretch marks almost as soon as you find out about your situation. You have time to prepare your skin for changes before your belly starts to grow. Apply the stretch mark treatment to clean skin at least twice a day. The product is applied to the stomach, thighs, buttocks, lower back, and chest. Massage in circular motions and rub the product into the skin until completely absorbed. To achieve the best effect from the anti-stretch mark product, use body scrubs periodically. They will help improve blood circulation and remove dead skin. Don't let your skin become dry or unhydrated. If necessary, apply the product more often. If stretch marks do appear, start smearing them with scar cream. Choose products that can penetrate the skin as deeply as possible. It is better to prefer an emulsion, gel, milk or liquid cream than an oil or thick cream. Along with cosmetics, use additional methods to prevent stretch marks.
The best remedies for stretch marks
- Avent stretch mark cream. This unique product is designed specifically to prevent and eliminate stretch marks during pregnancy. The cream contains: papaya and shea butters, algae extract, which promote the regeneration of skin cells.
What products do you use for stretch marks during pregnancy? What cosmetic products do you think are most effective in preventing stretch marks? We are waiting for your feedback and comments!
Carrying a child gives women joy and peace, but sometimes dulls their vigilance, as a result of which expectant mothers forget about the risk of developing skin defects such as stretch marks.
Striae - this is how science usually calls such a “surprise” - resemble whitish or almost purple scars on the bust, breasts, hips and other parts of the body. They cannot harm pregnancy and do not cause any unpleasant sensations, but the changed state of previously smooth and even skin will upset every woman.
It is not surprising that many expectant mothers are interested in which stretch mark cream for pregnant women to buy. We offer a list of the 10 best remedies that will help prevent the occurrence of stretch marks or reduce their severity.
Where do stretch marks come from?
Human skin has elasticity similar to latex or rubber - it is distinguished by elasticity, stretchability and the ability to return to its previous state. But in certain situations, these properties of the skin are violated, as a result of which the skin becomes thinner and damage and micro-tears occur inside it.
Of course, then the dermis heals, but stretch marks or stretch marks remain at the site of the tears.
The occurrence of stretch marks is also facilitated by changed hormonal levels, which reduces the synthesis of collagen and elastin proteins, which are responsible for skin restoration and its elasticity.
In some women, stretch marks on the breasts do not form during pregnancy, but after childbirth, when active milk production begins. The skin on the bust turns out to be unadapted to lactation and an increase in volume, and therefore ruptures, leading to the appearance of stretch marks.
In addition, experts identify a number of factors that increase the likelihood of stretch marks during pregnancy:
- Heredity. If direct relatives (mother, grandmother) developed stretch marks during pregnancy or after childbirth, then with a high degree of probability they will form in you.
- Features of the body. The process of skin scarring is influenced by metabolic characteristics. With impaired metabolism, the risk increases significantly. Also, women with flabby abdominal muscles are more prone to stretch marks.
- Sudden weight gain. With a general predisposition to the development of scars, sudden weight gain during pregnancy (especially with dry skin) is fraught with stretch marks.
- Nutrition. A balanced and high-quality diet that helps a woman receive the required amount of vitamins and minerals reduces the risk of stretch marks or can reduce their severity and size.
- Age. The skin of young mothers is often more elastic, and therefore less susceptible to such defects. Also, young pregnant ladies tend to move more, which also reduces the likelihood of this problem.
Thus, to some extent, a pregnant woman is able to prevent the formation of stretch marks or reduce their consequences for the beauty of the skin. This can be done with the help of special products - creams for stretch marks, but you just need to choose them correctly and wisely.
How to choose a good cream for stretch marks?
Choosing any means during pregnancy is a painstaking and extremely responsible task. In such an “interesting” situation, the female body can react unpredictably to any seemingly familiar drug.
In addition, the products must be absolutely harmless to mom and baby.
To make the right choice, use the following recommendations.
- Before purchasing, you should carefully study the label, noting the presence of an important instruction - possible (or desirable) use during pregnancy. Manufacturers offer special creams for expectant mothers that moisturize the skin and prevent the development of stretch marks.
- Pay attention to the list of ingredients, it should include various essential oils, a complex of amino acids and proteins (collagen and elastin), vitamins. These components will improve blood circulation and metabolic processes in the deep layers of the skin.
- During pregnancy, many women experience toxicosis, accompanied by nausea and rejection of even neutral odors. You should smell the gel before purchasing.
- It’s better not to buy a whole tube at once, but to take a sample or tester. This way you can avoid wasting money, since when hormonal levels change, an allergic reaction to the components of the products is a very common situation.
So, we found out that the best remedies for stretch marks include substances that improve blood circulation in the inner layers of the skin.
Creams containing the following components will be especially useful for expectant mothers:
- vitamins A, C, E, which are responsible for skin turgor, cell restoration and renewal, improved blood circulation and the production of connective tissue’s own proteins
- a complex of elastin and collagen, which play a critical role in the elasticity and regeneration of the skin. It is better to purchase products not with animal proteins, but with plant proteins, whose molecules are smaller in size, and, therefore, will definitely penetrate the skin
- micro- and macroelements (selenium, silicon, zinc and other minerals) regulate the level of moisture in the skin, help heal wounds and participate in the restoration of the epidermis
- hyaluronic acid is a special substance found in connective tissue and epithelial cells. Participates in the production of its own collagen, moisturizes the skin and helps accelerate regeneration processes
- essential and vegetable oils (jojoba, sea buckthorn, cocoa) are exclusively natural ingredients that stimulate cell regeneration, restore cellular metabolism, and moisturize the skin.
It is extremely difficult to say which cream for stretch marks during pregnancy is the best, since the effect largely depends on the condition of the skin and the body’s need for various beneficial substances.
Top 10 best products
Analysis of reviews from expectant mothers who used creams and ointments during pregnancy allows us to select the 10 most effective and efficient remedies for stretch marks.
But no review or advice from a friend can replace a doctor’s consultation, so before using any cream, be sure to talk to a specialist.
Among the large number of remedies for stretch marks, this cream is in greatest demand and love among pregnant women.
The product contains papaya oil, which moisturizes the skin, and algae extract, which regenerates epidermal cells.
- absorbs quickly and does not leave greasy marks
- economy
- nice smell
- average price range
- efficiency.
No particular shortcomings were found.
This gel is specially designed for expectant mothers with highly sensitive skin.
It works especially well in the last months of pregnancy and after the birth of the baby. The gel contains extracts of green coffee and tea, various oils, which have an excellent effect on the skin, smoothing its surface.
- low cost
- natural ingredients
- prevalence.
- a pungent aroma that not all expectant mothers like.
The composition of the product is considered to be quite low-allergenic and contains thermal water, which moisturizes the skin and makes it elastic.
Can be used at any stage of pregnancy, optimally starting at 4 months.
- light odor, almost imperceptible
- absorbs quickly
- contains collagen.
- high consumption.
- high price
In the list of Top 10 products, this ointment occupies not the last place due to its natural composition.
Wheat protein, hibiscus and jojoba essential oils restore skin elasticity and nourish it with a variety of nutrients. This gel does not contain various dyes and harmful ingredients, which only confirms its safety.
It is one of the most common remedies for stretch marks on the domestic market.
The composition contains only natural ingredients - vitamins, wheat oil. Expectant mothers note that the cream acts gently, moisturizing and softening the skin.
- average price range
- effective action.
- sharp specific aroma.
This cream has a triple effect: it prevents the appearance of stretch marks, fights existing defects and takes care of the skin.
The product acts at the molecular level, stopping the release of special enzymes responsible for the destruction of collagen and elastin proteins.
- extremely effective cream
- able to cope with old stretch marks.
- Not every mom can afford it.
This gel is recommended for use from the second trimester, when the baby in the tummy begins to rapidly increase in size.
You can also use the gel after delivery, when the skin begins to shrink. The effect is based on the action of soybean oil and karite.
- low efficiency
- high price.
This gel is considered an innovative product containing natural flavonoids. The use of products helps reduce the number and size of the fatty layer of the skin, improve color and increase the elasticity of the skin.
In addition, stretch marks are significantly reduced in size, and the skin is evened out.
- innovative composition
- light consistency
- reduction of cellulite.
- high price
- The gel leaves greasy stains on things.
This product has a double therapeutic effect: it helps reduce existing stretch marks and prevents the formation of new ones.
It is applied at the end of pregnancy and during the first weeks after the birth of the baby. The cream contains various oils to soften the skin, elastin regulators and moisturizing components.
- can reduce the severity of stretch marks
- Suitable for long-term use.
The unique composition of the products includes primrose oil, which helps restore ceramides and improve lipid metabolism.
Other elements (zinc, vitamins, aloe and calendula extract) soothe the skin, activate skin respiration, strengthen vascular walls, and moisturize the skin.
- innovative composition
- multiple effect
- inexpensive.
No particular shortcomings were found.
Stretch mark belt
In the list of products that prevent the formation of stretch marks during pregnancy, you can find not only a gel or ointment, but also a special belt that is worn on the stomach and supports the abdominal and peritoneal muscles.
The belt is sewn from rubberized materials, and it is also equipped with fasteners, the length of which can be adjusted. Modern manufacturers produce several types of such support products:
- prenatal belt – helps support the growing tummy, protecting the skin from stretch marks and tears. Does not interfere with the normal growth of the child
- postpartum belt – helps support the abdominal muscles, which stimulates the rapid restoration of muscle tone, preventing the formation of postpartum stretch marks
- universal belt – combines the advantages of both supporting devices.
A similar belt is produced in the form of panties and directly in the form of a bandage. Previously, a corset was also produced, but now it has been abandoned due to numerous inconveniences during use.
Of course, we have not listed the entire list of products presented on pharmaceutical shelves, but even in this list you can choose the ideal products.
The most important thing is to start preventing stretch marks early so you don't miss the time when small tears turn into ugly scars. To ensure that your body always delights you with youth and beauty, take care of your skin during pregnancy!
We love you so much and appreciate your comments that we are ready to donate 3,000 rubles every month. (by phone or bank card) to the best commentators of any articles on our website (detailed description of the competition)!
- Leave a comment on this or any other article.
- Look for yourself in the list of winners on our website!
Return to the beginning of the article or go to the comment form.