| As a woman, you have probably been "blessed" | | | | result, also known as stretch marks. So, monitor |
| with a stretch mark or two. Whether it happened | | | | your weight gain during your pregnancy and strive |
| during puberty, as physiological growth spurts | | | | for a more moderate and even weight gain to |
| stretched your skin beyond its tolerance, or during | | | | the extent possible. |
| a previous pregnancy, stretch marks are simply a | | | | Don't Forget to Hydrate Your Skin |
| normal part of life. But if you are ready to say, | | | | The proper hydration of your skin during |
| "No More!", then you need to be aware of ways | | | | pregnancy is a key element of any skin care |
| to prevent stretch marks during pregnancy or | | | | program. As pregnancy will place more tension on |
| other periods of dramatic weight change. | | | | your skin in the abdomen, thighs and buttocks |
| As the saying goes, "An ounce of prevention is | | | | areas, your skin becomes more sensitive. You |
| worth a pound of cure!" This little pearl of wisdom | | | | may experience sensations of itching and |
| also applies to the prevention of stretch marks. | | | | pressure as your skin expands. This is where the |
| As you probably know, removing stretch marks | | | | application of a high quality stretch mark cream or |
| is not an easy process and can take months just | | | | body lotion can not only relieve some of these |
| to fade them enough so they are not quite as | | | | symptoms, but also enhance the skins ability to |
| noticeable. There are effective stretch mark | | | | expand and flex. |
| creams and lotions that do a pretty good job of | | | | Massage Your Skin |
| repairing the damaged skin, but they can be | | | | This is a practice that is often overlooked but can |
| costly and time consuming. | | | | really help with the prevention of stretch marks. |
| So, if you are concerned about developing any | | | | Take a gentle brush or massage glove and gently |
| further stretch marks during pregnancy, try | | | | massage the skin in those high risk areas, |
| following these helpful tips. Your odds of avoiding | | | | generally your abdomen and thighs. This will |
| further skin damage and scarring will be | | | | stimulate circulation to the skin and promote |
| dramatically improved, and as an added bonus, | | | | healthier and more resilient skin tissue. |
| the appearance your existing stretch marks may | | | | Eat Right and Take Vitamins |
| benefit too! | | | | Being as healthy as you possibly can during |
| Establish a Skin Care Program | | | | pregnancy has multiple benefits. Firstly and most |
| The first step in preventing stretch marks is to | | | | importantly, it helps develop a strong and healthy |
| develop a routine skin care program. Don't make | | | | baby. Secondly, it helps your body counter the |
| your program so complicated or cumbersome | | | | stresses placed on it during and after your |
| that you will not stick with it. A simple plan that | | | | pregnancy. This also includes your skin's health. |
| you will be able to follow easily on a daily basis will | | | | Eating nutritional and healthy meals, complimented |
| prove far more effective than a more elaborate | | | | by a vitamin prescribed by your doctor, will help |
| routine that you will only follow on a hit and miss | | | | keep your skin healthy and radiant. |
| basis. | | | | These five helpful skin care tips, if practiced |
| Moderate Your Weight Gain | | | | routinely, will help prevent stretch marks during |
| Though some weight gain is natural during | | | | pregnancy. Obviously, there are no absolute |
| pregnancy, the rate at which the additional pounds | | | | guarantees due to the variability of skin types and |
| are added is very important. Remember that the | | | | conditions, but establishing a skin care program will |
| skin has a natural tendency to flex or stretch | | | | definitely tip the odds in your favor of preventing |
| without damaging the skin tissue. However, | | | | any further stretch marks. So, don't be afraid of |
| sudden weight changes can stretch the skin | | | | pampering yourself a little, you truly deserve it! |
| beyond its tolerances and tearing and scarring | | | | |