The skin of pregnant women is subject to severe stretching, and therefore the likelihood of stretch marks in pregnant women is very high.
But general recipes for dealing with stretch marks are not suitable for pregnant women and women who have recently given birth. Women's skin requires especially careful care during this period. Therefore, it is necessary to choose the right remedies for stretch marks.
Natural fatty and essential oils are an excellent way to moisturize the skin, increase its firmness, elasticity and prevent stretch marks. For pregnant women, the main advantage of using fatty and essential oils is that they are 100% natural.
However, pregnant women should still use oils very carefully, following a number of important recommendations.
Oil for stretch marks during pregnancy
For the skin of the chest, abdomen, and thighs during pregnancy, additional hydration is required.
During the first trimester, when it is especially important to protect the developing baby from the influence of chemicals, natural oils are almost the only remedy that can be used to combat stretch marks. Wheat germ oil and jojoba oil are the best options. It is also possible to use olive oil.
Stretch marks in pregnant women most often form in the second trimester. From now on, you can start using a special cream or gel for stretch marks. But even during this period, the oil can serve as an excellent protection against stretch marks or as an addition to the cream.
What oils should pregnant women use against stretch marks?
To combat stretch marks, pregnant women can use pure fatty oils (wheat germ and jojoba oils are best) or add essential oils to them.
Essential oils of lavender, neroli, and orange are especially popular during pregnancy.
Oil recipes for stretch marks during pregnancy:
- 4 table. spoons of olive oil
- 2 drops of lavender;
- 2 drops of geranium;
- 2 drops of orange.
or
- 40 ml vegetable oil (olive, sesame, almond or peach);
- 2 drops of lavender;
- 1 drop of neroli;
- a drop of orange.
To treat and prevent stretch marks during pregnancy, the prepared mixture must be applied daily to the skin of problem areas.
If the prepared mixture is enough for more than one use, you can pour it into a dark glass bottle and store it in the refrigerator for one to three months. If the smell of the oils becomes unpleasant, it is better to discard the mixture.
Cream for stretch marks - rules for choosing wisely:
- Hypoallergenic composition! One of the most important rules of choice is the absence of “harmful chemicals” in your cream. That is, the absence of parabens, fragrances and dyes, and also, preferably, silicones. Remember that the components of the product can penetrate into the blood and be transmitted to the baby.
- Cream for use after childbirth or during pregnancy? These are 2 different groups of products with different compositions - warning stretch marks or masking them. The first products are used during pregnancy to significantly increase skin elasticity and prevent the appearance of stretch marks. After childbirth, the skin should return to its original state. And the second option should help reduce the intensity of stretch marks that appear after childbirth, make them less noticeable, and lighten them. In addition, there are universal remedies used in both periods.
- Allergy test. This is a mandatory event to avoid unpleasant consequences associated with individual intolerance to the components. First, smell the cream and apply a drop of the product to a sensitive area of the skin. If there is no negative reaction, use it.
- Best before date. Naturally, it should not be violated.
- Period of use. Read the instructions carefully! If the cream is intended for use after childbirth, then it makes no sense to use it during pregnancy (and vice versa). The specific period of use is also important - for example, “only from the 2nd trimester until childbirth.”
- Harm to the components of the cream for the fetus. Everyone knows that the baby’s organs in the womb are formed during different periods of pregnancy. And the effect of specific components of cosmetics can become dangerous for the baby’s health and development. In particular, some essential oils can cause serious problems with their constant use (this applies to creams, massages, baths and wraps). Read the ingredients and do not neglect the instructions. In addition, it is important to consult your doctor in a timely manner about the use of a particular product.
- A regular cream during pregnancy or a special remedy for stretch marks? A traditional moisturizer for an expectant mother is, of course, better than nothing (if it has a safe composition). But stretch mark cream doesn't just moisturize the skin - it helps increase its elasticity and protects against weakening of collagen fibers. The choice is obvious.
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Massage for stretch marks during pregnancy
Starting around the second trimester of pregnancy, start performing daily massages to prevent stretch marks. After applying the prepared oil for stretch marks, the recipes for which are given above, lightly massage your thighs and chest with light pinching movements.
A special massage mixture for stretch marks on the chest during pregnancy:
- 1 tablespoon of fatty jojoba oil;
- 2 drops of geranium essential oil;
- 1 drop of orange essential oil;
As soon as your breasts begin to enlarge, use this mixture to gently massage them.
Natural remedies for pregnant women
It is best to use vegetable oils , which can be used undiluted. They do not require dosage, rarely cause allergic reactions and will help not only prevent the appearance of stretch marks, but also give the skin a radiant and fresh look.
Flaxseed oil for stretch marks during pregnancy
Flax seeds contain essential oils, vitamins and omega fatty acids, which are capable of restoring the skin at the cellular level. With daily use of the product, the skin gradually stretches, and after childbirth it is completely restored and returns to its normal state.
Flaxseed oil products can be used to prepare nourishing masks for hands and face. Based on them, you can prepare a scrub, which will also be a good prophylactic against stretch marks. The affected areas are massaged with a scrub every day with smooth movements.
Peach oil for stretch marks
An oil product obtained from peach kernels will enrich the skin with esters, organic acids, vitamins A and E. With its help, there will be much less stretch marks on the skin.
Peach oil composition has antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties, therefore it is widely used for skin irritation and various viral respiratory diseases.
Almond oil for stretch marks during pregnancy
The cosmetic product is suitable for any skin type and can be used for cellulite, aging skin, the appearance of stretch marks and scars.
The oil obtained from almond kernels is hypoallergenic and has a unique composition:
- vitamins D, F, E, A;
- minerals;
- fats.
Apply almond oil to stretched skin two to three times a day. It can be combined with jojoba or cocoa oil, and you can also make homemade cosmetic creams based on it.
Olive oil for stretch marks
Any remedy for stretch marks and wrinkles contains tocopherol , which is part of olive oil. In its natural form, tocopherol is absorbed faster, so it effectively smoothes out stretch marks.
Olive oil should be cold pressed. It should have a bright aroma and a rich dark color. It is recommended to use it after a shower or gentle exfoliation twice a day.
Olive oil contains potassium, omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins E and A. Therefore, it can be included in the diet of pregnant women after consulting a doctor. The use of the product will prevent the occurrence of microtraumas of the skin and will have a beneficial effect on its elasticity.
Other oils for stretch marks
In addition to those described above, cosmetologists recommend using the following oils to prevent stretch marks:
- jojoba – prevents scarring of the skin;
- sea buckthorn – smooths out scars and relieves inflammation;
- wheat germ – evens out stretch marks and restores skin;
- shea butter – softens and makes stretch marks a tone lighter, stimulates collagen synthesis;
- cocoa – can soften and remove even old stretch marks, has an antioxidant and moisturizing effect;
- coconut – will prevent the appearance of stretch marks, nourish the skin and even out its tone;
- grape seeds - will eliminate stretch marks and restore the health of the skin.
Baths with essential oils
You can add a mixture of oils to a warm bath. A bath will perfectly help the expectant mother to relax, relieve stress and ensure deep penetration of oils into the heated skin of the entire body. When oils are added directly to water, they will settle on the surface. In order for the oil particles to be evenly distributed throughout the entire thickness of the water, it is necessary to mix them with 30-60 g of foam or bath salts, honey, milk).
Add 1 drop of essential oil per 20 liters of water to the bath.
Recipe for anti-stretch mark bath oil during pregnancy:
- 1 tbsp. a spoonful of fatty wheat germ oil;
- 1 drop of lavender essential oil;
- 1 drop of neroli essential oil.
Let your skin dry naturally after your bath, without using a towel.
It is important to remember that you can take a bath during pregnancy strictly at a water temperature of no more than 38? C. The duration of the procedure is no more than 15 minutes 1-2 times a week.
STRETCHES
As soon as I found out that I was expecting a baby, I immediately rushed to look at blogs and forums, read reviews on how to prevent stretch marks. For some reason it seemed to me that this was the worst thing that could happen to a pregnant woman! Eh, I was naive
