Many expectant mothers are afraid of losing a figure after childbirth. Moreover, the most common problem among pregnant and lactating women is not the appearance of excess weight, but stretch marks on the body. They can occur on the chest, stomach, legs, and even on the hands. Doctors recommend that expectant mothers do not wait until trouble comes, but use a cream for stretch marks during pregnancy. Reviews of experts on this matter are unambiguous: it is very difficult to remove striae, so it is better to take care to prevent them in advance.
What are stretch marks
In medical terms, stretch marks are subcutaneous scars resulting from microcracks of the deep layers of the epidermis. Striae are white or distinctly red stripes in certain areas of the body. With microfracture, the void is filled with connective tissue, resulting in a subcutaneous scar of a light color. If the vessels are injured, the stretch may take on a red tint.
Striae: why do they appear?
Contrary to popular belief, the reasons pregnant women have subcutaneous scars are not focused only on increasing body volume. Therefore, it is important to understand that even the best cream for stretch marks can not completely insure against this problem. Basically, stretch marks in pregnant women appear due to the following reasons:
- hereditary predisposition;
- hormonal fluctuations;
- strong weight gain;
- lack of vitamins.
Any of these factors can reduce the elasticity of the skin, as a result of which it will be difficult for it to adapt to changes in the body of the future mother. Most often, pregnant and giving birth women suffer from stretch marks on the abdomen, since this zone is subject to the most severe deformations.
Comprehensive stretch marks prevention
It is worth noting that preventive measures to prevent striae should be carried out strictly in an integrated manner. This will significantly reduce the risk of stretch marks and help maintain the beauty of the skin throughout pregnancy.
It is very important for expectant mothers not to forget about weight control. In this they will help proper nutrition and regular visits to the doctor. Ladies expecting a baby should include as many fruits and vegetables in their diet as possible - this will insure against vitamin deficiencies. From about 4 months of pregnancy, you need to start wearing a special bandage that will help keep your abdominal muscles in good shape.
Of particular importance in the prevention of stretch marks are cosmetic procedures. Already at 8-9 weeks of waiting for the baby, it is necessary to begin to take care of the skin of the body, using at least an ordinary baby cream. Natural cosmetic oils (olive, lavender, etc.) also help protect against stretch marks during pregnancy. However, the greatest effect can be achieved with the help of special creams designed to prevent striae. The main thing is that your chosen product nourishes and softens the skin as much as possible.
How to apply the cream to expectant mothers
Regular use of your chosen remedy is the key to successful striae prevention. Apply the cream to areas of the body that are most at risk for subcutaneous scars. In expectant mothers, such are the stomach, chest and hips. During the procedure, it is recommended to perform light massage movements that help to evenly distribute the product on the surface of the body and allow it to absorb more quickly.
Specialists in the field of medicine recommend that all women, without exception, use a cream for stretch marks during pregnancy. Reviews of many expectant mothers prove that a high-quality and systematically applied product can eliminate even already existing stretch marks at the initial stage. The effectiveness of the tool is quite realistic to strengthen with the help of such additional measures as:
- daily massage of problem areas;
- peeling of areas subject to stretch marks.
It is necessary to start using cream against striae from about 9 weeks of pregnancy. By this time, the shape of the body of the future mother is already slightly changing, so there is a need for the introduction of preventive measures regarding the appearance of stretch marks. Girls who have a predisposition to stretch marks can resort to using the cream even at the planning stage of the child. This will help to prepare the skin for loads in advance and make it more supple.
Selection of anti-stretch marks
Of course, when deciding on a cream for the prevention of striae, you must rely on the characteristics of your own body. For example, they include the tolerance of odors. It is very difficult for some women to endure harsh aromas during pregnancy, so a remedy with a pronounced perfume composition will not suit them.
When choosing a good cream for stretch marks, you must also be guided by the general rules:
- The product is best purchased only in a specialized store or pharmacy.
- On the package with a cosmetic product must be marked "For pregnant women."
- It is recommended to stop your choice on hypoallergenic creams, since during the expectation of the baby the future mother may increase the sensitivity of the skin.
- You should pay attention to the composition of the product. It should include natural emollients (avocado, jojoba oil, wheat germ, etc.), as well as vitamins, retinoids, elastin and collagen.
It is important to understand that an effective cream for stretch marks during pregnancy cannot be cheap. Focusing on your financial capabilities when choosing a product is normal. However, do not resort to extremes and risk the health of the baby, choosing an unreliable manufacturer's cream.
In order to make it easier for you to decide on a remedy, below are some of the most popular anti-stria products.
Cream for stretch marks during pregnancy Sanosan: composition, action
The product is manufactured by a German manufacturer. The cream is universal: it is suitable for use by both pregnant women and nursing mothers. In addition, the product helps not only to prevent striae, but also to actively combat them. The components that make up the cream help strengthen the regenerative function of the skin, soften and smooth the surface of the epidermis.
The main active substances of the product are jojoba oil and wheat proteins. They saturate the skin with vitamins, help retain moisture in it and stimulate the process of cell renewal. Additional sources of nutrients are milk proteins, olive oil, as well as hibiscus extract. The last component in its action is simply priceless: it replenishes the skin with a whole arsenal of vitamins and minerals, and also significantly increases its tone.
Cream Sanosan ("Sanosan") from stretch marks is recommended for use from the first days of pregnancy. The product is absolutely hypoallergenic, which only adds points in its favor. The average cost of funds is approximately 200 rubles. At the same time, the volume of the tube with cream is 100 ml. According to reviews of women using Sanosan, the drug is spent very economically. This nuance allows you to attribute this product to the budget section. With proper use, the drug lasts quite a long time.
Cream for pregnant and lactating women Avent
An English-made product intended for expectant mothers not only helps to get rid of striae, but also provides relaxation of the body, and also leads to muscle tone. Avent, just like the previous remedy, deservedly tops the rating of creams for stretch marks during pregnancy.
This cosmetic product contains algae extract, which perfectly moisturizes all layers of the epidermis, giving them elasticity and softness. Thanks to the papaya oil in the cream, a local antihistamine effect on the skin occurs. In addition, the water balance in the epidermal cells is restored, as a result of which excess fluid is removed from them. Essential oils of orange and almond, also found in the cream, have a calming effect on the body. They give the product a delicate delicate aroma that allows the expectant mother to get the most out of the procedure.
Women who used this cream for stretch marks during pregnancy leave positive reviews. The tool is great for skin prone to allergies. In addition, it does not irritate the sensitive sense of smell of the expectant mother, but rather, eliminates unpleasant sensations. The manufacturer clarifies that the cream is suitable for use during lactation. The only comment about this: when applying the product on the chest, the area of โโthe nipples should be avoided.
Mama Comfort for sensitive skin
The peculiarity of the cream is that it is intended for the care of especially sensitive skin, on which irritation often appears. The product is produced by the domestic brand "Our Mother". The action of the product is aimed at eliminating the dryness of the skin, which serves as an excellent prevention of the appearance of striae.
Cream Mama Comfort ("Mom Comfort") from stretch marks is made in the form of an emulsion, which is very quickly absorbed and penetrates even the deepest layers of the dermis. Once in the body, it stimulates metabolic cellular processes, thereby contributing to the saturation of the skin with useful substances. Olive oil, as an active component of the cream, moisturizes areas of the body that are subject to stretch marks, making them softer and more elastic. Chamomile and tea tree extracts relieve inflammation and irritation, as well as enter the process of epidermal cell regeneration. Horse chestnut extract enhances the production of collagen and elastin in the skin cells. The most important component of the Mama Comfort emulsion is hyaluronic acid. This substance is the secret of beauty and youth of the skin. It contributes to the process of renewal of epidermal cells and helps to retain moisture in them.
A noticeable effect can be achieved after a few months if you regularly use this cream for stretch marks during pregnancy. The reviews of many expectant mothers inspire the purchase of funds: it really prevents the appearance of striae. The emulsion is recommended to be used throughout the entire period of bearing the baby, as well as after childbirth, until the final recovery of the body.
Mustela: for the prevention and treatment of striae in pregnant women
This tool is an order of magnitude higher than the creams described. However, this does not reduce its popularity among expectant mothers. Judging by the reviews of customers, the French cosmetic product is doing its job perfectly: successfully struggling with the appearance of stretch marks. A remedy called โ9 monthsโ is enriched with Japanese Sophora extract, as well as shea butter and silicon. These components have a pronounced stimulating effect on skin cells. In addition, the ego composition includes a whole complex of useful minerals and trace elements, providing nutrition and hydration of the dermis. The main feature of the Mustela product is the presence of peptides and elastoregulators in it, which contribute to the restoration of the skin and the formation of collagen fibers in them.
It has been proven that the best creams for stretch marks during pregnancy are completely hypoallergenic. Mustela developers coped with this requirement perfectly - the product can be used by ladies even with very sensitive skin integuments. The active therapeutic effect is not only on expectant mothers, but also on nursing women.
Oily and fairly dense texture of the cream allows you to use it as a basis for massage. Many pregnant and lactating women note the same feature as a negative property. According to some reviews, the product is hardly distributed over the surface of the body and is slowly absorbed.
Vichy cream: help expectant mothers
Another anti-stretch mark product that hit the domestic market from France was released by Vichy. The product is made on the basis of thermal water. Despite the high cost, Vichy cream does not cease to be popular among young mothers and pregnant women. The reason for this is the rapid effectiveness of the product, proven by many consumers.
It has been confirmed not only by specialists, but also by pregnant women that the cream literally corrects the striae that have arisen in just a few months, significantly reducing them in size. The color of red stretch marks becomes more muffled and eventually acquires a faint light shade. With regular use, the cream provides the skin with adequate nutrition and hydration. The tool stimulates the growth of collagen fibers, responsible for the elasticity of the dermis and its resistance to deformation. Due to its rich composition, Vichy cream has a very dense and greasy consistency. However, this does not impair its properties: the product is remarkably absorbed by the skin, leaving no residue on clothing and underwear.
The tool is hypoallergenic, so experts recommend it for use at any time of bearing a baby. In addition, the cream is effective in eliminating postpartum stretch marks.
Bepanten ointment: use during pregnancy
It is immediately worth noting that the remedy in question refers more to medicines than cosmetic products. For this reason, not all women decide to use Bepanten for the prevention of stretch marks. The price of Swiss-made cream is quite high, but expectant mothers, who nevertheless preferred it, claim that it is worth it.
The initial purpose of the drug is to heal various damage to the skin. The innovative composition of the cream has absolutely no contraindications for use during pregnancy and during feeding. In addition, Bepanten is well tolerated even by infants, which makes it simply an indispensable tool in a young motherโs medicine cabinet.
The main active ingredient in the ointment is dexapanthenol. This component is absorbed very quickly by skin cells. Over time, it is converted to panthenolic acid, which, in turn, takes an active part in the regenerative function of the dermis. This feature allows expectant mothers to successfully use not only standard cosmetics, but also Bepanten for the prevention of stretch marks. The price of the drug, of course, bites, but it justifies the result. The cost of the tube, depending on the dosage, is from 350 to 600 rubles. In addition to dexapanthenol, almond oil and lanolin have an active effect on the skin. The components intensively moisturize the treated areas of the body and give them elasticity.
Regardless of the brand of cream you choose, skin care during pregnancy should be daily. The use of special cosmetics will minimize the risk of stretch marks.