Stretch Marks and How to Get Rid of Stretch Marks

Stretch marks during pregnancy is as normal as breathing. Most women and girls will experience them in one form or another. Some of you may have experience rapid breast growth during puberty that caused you to get stretch marks on breasts and or hips, and yes everyone of you want to get rid of stretch marks and no one wants a single stretchmark.

All of your skin is fairly elastic, yet when rapid growth strikes such as with pregnancy the normal production of collagen (a major protein which makes up the connective tissue in your skin) is disrupted causing scaring and red lines to form.

You will notice them on your thighs, breasts, hips, and bottom and yes pregnancy is your number one contributor. Later I’ll address trying to improve collagen production to prevent stretch marks or at least prevent more stretch marks.

Some women and men alike may get stretchmarks from using steroid-containing creams or ointments (like Hydrocortisone) for longer than a few weeks. Sometimes high doses of oral  corticosteroids for long periods of time.

Stretch marks may first appear as reddish or purplish lines that may seem to be indented, you may feel that your skins texture is changing in those areas.

Many times these marks (scars) will disappear over time. But as we all know we really don’t want them at all and we want to get rid of stretch marks sooner than later. Especially as summer approach’s and you want to fit into your favorite swim suit again.

Preventing Stretch Marks by Increasing Collagen Production.

No one can promise you that you can avoid stretch marks completely… however it is the opinion of this author that your skin has amazing abilities to do far beyond what you expect of it. If you take an active role to reduce stretch marks before they happen you may end up a happier woman.

By changing your diet to support collagen production you may be able to avoid some stretch marks. Also applying some masks and massage will greatly help your skin to give it a chance.

Here are some things to try:

• You might consume foods that increase collagen production and benefit your skin. Soy products, such as soy milk, cheese and meat substitutes, contain genistein that helps block enzymes that break down and age the skin.

  Dark green vegetables like spinach, kale and asparagus have lutein, which increases hydration and elasticity in skin. Red fruits and vegetables such as red peppers, beets and tomatoes have lycopenesl, an antioxidant that increases collagen production.

• Using pregnancy stretch mark home remedies such as making a lotion made from extra virgin coconut butter mixed with vitamin E and a natural liquid C (I prefer opening capsules mixing them on a plastic wrap and directly applying them to the skin, apply for about 15 minutes) you can feed your skin with the wrap and you can rub it in after removing the wrap will do wonders for your skin. You may want to add a little dried kelp to your mix to feed your skin with the natural salts and iodine in kelp. Good stuff to reduce stretch marks, but a little messy. :O)
• Another stretch marks treatment uses Vitamin C in a wrap containing avocado oil, which hydrates skin and is compatible with your skin’s natural oils. This also increases collagen in the dermis. Mix 2 teaspoons of avocado oil with 1/4 cup of honey and apply the belly using your fingertips. Rinse the wrap off with cool water after 15 minutes. Apply the wrap at least 3 times a week or more.

  Please keep in mind that when you are in your third trimester it is best that you not spend to much time lying flat on your back…… Feel free to move around when applying wraps, oils, and lotions.

• If you live near an ocean, you may want to go for frequent dips in the ocean (or take salts baths) and sun bathe 15 minutes on each side. Our bodies are made up of salts and water so it makes sense to go out and float around a little to feed your skin. It will feel great, take pressure off your spine, and the sun will help you with vitamin D production which will help you to feel better emotionally.
  

  This is off the subject a little….. but…here I go….. the sun may be less your enemy than you may think. After sunbathing most everyone goes home and washes off all of the great nutrients that their skin has produced to protect it. The more of your natural oils that stay on your skin the better it is for your skin. Most sun screens are not healthy. Limit your sun exposure using your wisdom. If you start to get pink, move out of the sun. Showering (rinsing) or bathing using only water for your skin (no wash cloths) is the recommendation of this author. Use soap for the hair on top of your head only…..a little on the under arms…..and never on the v space. Talk to your gynecologist… you may find it hard to believe that soap and douches actually cause itching, and ruin the good environment of your vaginal space. Water only is truly best for your skin and v space. The soap and douche companies have sold you a bill of goods. Trust me… you will feel cleaner and smell fresher without the soaps.

  Now back on the subject of stretchmarks.

Please keep in mind that when you are in your last trimester it is best that you not spend to much time lying flat on your back…… Feel free to move around when applying wraps, oils, and lotions.

Another way that might help avoid some stretch marks is through gentle stretching using simple massage techniques found in the Pregnancy Pain Relief book. But you will not want to start working on your skin till after the first trimester .

Why you ask?????

You can massage yourself with nutrients talked about in this article….. but it is recommended that you wait till after your first trimester to receive a massage from someone else.

As for your skin….you have three layers of skin that are working independently of each other… by using the techniques as they are given in the Pregnancy Pain Relief book you are re-distributing collagen between the layers of your skin.

Moving these collagens can help protect the skin from some damage… Collagens tend to migrate to the points of least resistance and get caught in pockets… by using the stretches in the Pregnancy Pain Relief book you will assist your skin in redistributing them. Hopefully making for less scaring.

This brings up something I haven’t mentioned …..there are are actually several types of collagens one of which actually acts as a lubricant between the layers of skin. This is the one that gets driven into pockets and needs redistribution.

After doing these gentle stretches apply your oil, lotion, or wrap. Massage them in to help drive the nutrients into the skin.

Remember the above is not a guarantee…its a suggestion for you to take action to do what ever you can to prevent stretch marks before they happen. Work now to prevent stretch marks after pregnancy.

How to Get Rid of StretchMarks or Make Them less noticeable:

• Truth is you can never get rid of the stretch marks completely. Lotions, oils, creams, extra virgin coconut butter with vitamin E and C can only do so much.

• There is a product that makes bold claims that’s offering free samples all you pay is the $2:00 shipping fee. I’d like feed back from you on it….that product is called Celtrixa they offer a free sample if you click on the name Celtrixa you will be taken to an offer with a video on how it works. Please if you give it a try report back to me….I really want you to get the best products for you from this site.

• Tanning treatments such as sprays and lotions such as in salons work well to help cover up the stretch marks. That said….tanning booths or beds don’t work as well because the scars don’t tan very well. Plus to be honest tanning beds and booths are not healthy for you or your skin.

• You might try body makeup however if you want to go into the water most all makeup even though it may say water resistant still tends to come off after spending time in the water.

• Mederma Stretch Marks Therapy, it does help stretch marks but tends too take a long time to get a good result. It works best when the stretch marks first appear and as long as there isn’t any open soars.

• Bio Oil for Scars and stretch marks after reading the reviews on this product I decided to include it into this article. Many seem to think it works for them.

• Some of the latest trends in beach fashion are coming to your rescue. Shorts and  long swim suit tops with high necks make hiding scars easier by covering breast, hip and thigh stretch makers.
• You can’t make stretch marks go away entirely without the help of a dermatologist (a doctor who specializes in treating skin problems) or plastic surgeon. These doctors may use one of many types of treatments — from actual surgery to techniques such as microdermabrasion and laser treatment — that reduce the appearance of stretch marks. 
   
  These techniques are expensive and stretch marks will probably diminish over time anyway.

You may want to discuss medical treatments with your dermatologist. Laser and light therapy can help stimulate the skin and increase collagen production, and may be an option if you are experiencing not having luck increasing collagen production on your own.

Of course this is after your baby is born. :O)

What is Microdermabrasion?

Microdermabrasion is used by some for stretch mark removal.

A chemical peel (also referred to as chemical exfoliation) refers to the controlled removal of varying layers of the epidermis and superficial dermis with the use of a "wounding agent. The most common wounding agents are various preparations of phenol (i.e., Bakers solution), trichloroacetic acid (TCA), Jessners solution (i.e., resorcin, salacylic, and lactic acid), or alpha-hydroxy acids. Chemical peels are most often used for cosmetic purposes and are used to treat facial blemishes, wrinkles and uneven skin pigmentation. They can also be used to remove pre-cancerous skin growths, soften acne facial scars and control acne.

Dermabrasion is a method of controlled surgical scraping of the skin using a rough wire brush, or a burr containing particles attached to a motorized handle. It can be used on small areas of skin or the entire face and has been used for a number of years to treat a variety of dermatologic conditions such as acne, facial scars and in cosmetic facial resurfacing.

More recently, microdermabrasion, also called "particle-beam resurfacing," is also being used to treat acne as well as other epidermal abnormalities of the skin such as fine lines, wrinkles and mild acne scarring. It uses sterile micro-crystals which are applied in a stream to the skin’s surface and then suctioned away to exfoliate the stratum corneum.

This treatment for getting rid of stretch marks is not recommended by this author.

Laser Treatment for Stretch Marks?

What laser treatments for stretch marks can do is they can lessen the depth of stretch marks. Results are no equal with all and some women find greater improvement than others.

The laser therapy works by stimulating the deeper layers of skin to produce more elastin and collagen which can help to diminish but not erase the stretch mark scars.

Laser treatment for stretch marks works best when the stretch marks are still fresh (reddish). On older (silvery white) stretch marks the treatment could have little or no effect. Also for those with darker skin there is the danger of hyperpigmentation and the laser treatment is therefore unadvisable.

In closing, always do good research and be confident in your decisions. The more you do to take care of you and your baby the better your life will be.

Always consult with your doctor about any treatment or therapy you may wish to try.

I hope this has been informative and helpful…

Here are some lotions and creams specifically for stretch marks from Amazon Just click on the ad and you can go straight to Amazon for purchase.

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