The majority of women will experience stretch marks as their belly grows to accommodate their growing fetus.
Stretch marks occur when the skin’s elasticity cannot keep up with the growth of the body. These jagged marks are usually red, purple, or white, and they show up on the stomach, thighs, chest, and shoulder areas.
Stretch marks often go away with time or fade into a white-ish hue that is less noticeable.
They’re mainly attributed to family history, but there are a few lifestyle changes that you can make to avoid these marks. A facial plastic surgeon in Los Angeles details some of the ways you can keep your skin looking fresh and young in these 9 months of growing.
- Take Your Vitamins
Getting your daily recommendation of vitamins is important for both you and your child’s health. On top of that, stretch marks can pop up if you were missing out on certain essential nutrients. Vitamin C, E, D, and Zinc can help prevent stretch marks from forming.
Taking a handful of pills each day isn’t desirable, and a prenatal vitamin should have all your essential vitamins in one single pill. Protein is essential to building the body, and it can also minimize stretch marks. It’s important to have meat or a protein-filled substitute like cheese or tofu in each of your meals while pregnant.
- Drink Water
Staying hydrated is extremely important, as dehydration can cause dizziness and nausea. Water will also help your skin maintain elasticity as it goes through the stretch of your life. On top of that, pregnant mothers can get UTIs more easily, and drinking water and using the bathroom frequently will help keep this from happening.
- Enjoy the Sun
Spending time in the sun can help your stretch marks heal. However, make sure to use SPF, as overexposure to the sun can make your scars and dark spots stick around much longer.
- Treat Stretch Marks
Your stomach is going to grow immensely in 9 months, and you shouldn’t expect not to see a few stretch marks. Luckily, there are a variety of treatments out there.
Creams, lotions, Vitamin E oil, shea butter, and Vasaline can keep your skin healthy and increase the healing timeline. Rub lotion on these stretch marks multiple times a day, and if you aren’t happy with these results, then you can undergo laser stretch mark reduction in Los Angeles.
Laser skin resurfacing can reduce stretch marks by removing the top layer of skin and revealing the unmarred layer beneath. They also are known for boosting collagen levels.
If you recently gave birth and want to under laser surgery to reduce stretch marks, contact our cosmetic surgery office.