How to prevent the appearance of stretch marks
50% of women are affected by the appearance of stretch marks during pregnancy: often, it’s just a matter of luck or genetics! They tend to focus on high-risk areas: the belly, of course, the breasts, buttocks, and hips... It all depends on weight gain during pregnancy and hormonal changes. In fact, there are no real rules: sometimes stretch marks can appear as early as the first trimester of pregnancy, or conversely, just before childbirth when the skin is extremely stretched, or sometimes during the postpartum period or after breastfeeding.
Stretch marks first appear as purplish streaks, which mark the skin where it stretches and cracks, but over time, they lighten and become less visible.
The solution?
While stretch marks are the mark of the incredible work done by the body – why not embrace them, even proudly display them? – they remain a significant concern for many women during pregnancy – a testament to the body changing and transforming!
Although you can never predict in advance whether you’ll develop many stretch marks during a pregnancy, there are ways to fight and prevent them as best as possible: one of the most effective approaches is to ensure that you maintain and strengthen your skin’s elasticity:
This starts with a diet rich in vitamin C, which boosts collagen production – it’s particularly effective in protecting tissues – as well as excellent hydration, with an intake of about 2 liters of water per day to strengthen and properly renew the skin.
It also involves a daily skincare routine, ideally starting as early as the first trimester and continuing throughout the postpartum period. The goal? To provide intense hydration to the skin to enhance its elasticity by strengthening the hydrolipidic film. The program? Apply a moisturizing cream every morning and a plant-based oil every evening to prevent the appearance of stretch marks, and thanks to the combination of water/oil, provide suppleness and comfort to best support the skin.
Photograph by Lotte van Raalte
