Pregnancy is an amazing experience. Feeling a new life growing inside, kicking at you and responding to your actions is a truly unique experience. You really gain a new appreciation for the abilities of the human body as your stomach stretches beyond anything you had ever imagined to accommodate a new baby. However, there are definite downsides to being pregnant and one of them is the side effect of all that stretching . . . stretch marks.
What Causes Stretch Marks
Stretch marks occur when the skin is stretched beyond it´s elasticity. The upper layer stretches and the lower layer of skin tends to tear, causing small rips in the tissue. This results in some rather ugly red marks that feel different from the regular texture of your skin. These will fade to white after your pregnancy, but this can take time and they never really do go away..
Whether or not you will get stretch marks really depends on genetics, the elasticity of your skin and how big you get during the pregnancy. Some women don´t grow much at all and have more than sufficient elasticity in their skin to withstand the stretching and remain completely unmarked.
Preventing Stretch Marks
The best way to get rid of stretch marks is not to get them at all. While 90% of women have the genetic predisposition to stretch marks in pregnancy, that doesn´t mean you have to just sit back and let them happen. Prevention is truly the best medicine when it comes to these nasty lines. They may be a banner of your ability to carry a child, but really, most women would prefer to avoid them all together. The best time to start prevention is as soon as you know you´re pregnant, long before the skin needs to expand.
It´s important to only use organic skin products while pregnant. Most chemicals are not proven safe for your unborn baby and it’s best to just avoid them. Going organic will give you peace of mind and you’ll be able to treat your skin without fear of affecting the child inside.
Organic skin products are just as effective against stretch marks, if not more so, than commercial, chemical laden ones. You´ll find that natural ingredients work naturally with your skin to soothe it and soften it. Not only will you be preventing stretch marks, you´ll also be promoting softer, more hydrated skin.
What to Look for in Stretch Mark Prevention Treatments
Certain organic ingredients work better than others against stretch marks. Basically, you want to moisturize your skin and enhance the elasticity. A good prevention cream will also provide some healing power to help any existing tears in the skin heal faster, without getting worse. This is particularly helpful if you are starting treatment later in the pregnancy.
Organic stretch mark creams usually use one or more of the following ingredients:
Shea Butter: By far the most common ingredient used in stretch mark prevention since is one of the best natural moisturizers on the market. It also has healing properties to help with any existing stretch marks.
Coconut Oil: A very good moisturizing oil that also enhances elasticity and hastens healing of existing problems.
Olive Oil: Another good moisturizer that helps boost elasticity and soften skin, making it more supple and resistant to tearing.
Any organic skin product designed to treat and prevent stretch marks should include one of the above ingredients for maximum benefit. Often they will have other natural ingredients, as well , to promote healing and enhance the moisturizing effect.
By: Amy Nutt
Skin antia-ging care is essential for the prevention of premature wrinkles and fine lines on the face. Many women in their 30’s and 40’s are conscious about the way their skin starts showing aging signs. Premature wrinkles occur due to some internal hormonal changes as well as the weakening of collagen and elastin in our skin.
Collagen and elastin are proteins found in our connective tissues. They are responsible for imparting elasticity and texture to our skin and keep it stretched and youthful. When we grow up, these proteins start losing their strength and become inactive. To make these proteins start working again, some special stimulating agents are required.
However, it must be remembered that collagen if found in rub-on treatment creams and lotions do not have much effect on our skin. This is because topical treatments are normally not effective on their own. These creams should be composed of substances that help to arouse our natural collagen in order to restore our youthful beauty.
Antioxidants are also added to skin anti-aging care products. One of the most useful of these antioxidant agents is known by the name of phytessence wakame. It is also sometimes referred to as “beauty preserver” as it is excellent for the treatment of premature wrinkles. This natural ingredient obtained from the Japanese sea algae contains many trace minerals such as potassium, calcium and sodium.
In addition to collagen and elastin, another substance required to maintain the firmness of our skin is known as hyaluronic acid. Phytessence wakame contains materials which help to break down this acid to bring back the youthful glow and beauty of our skin. This acid is often found in the descriptions of premature aging and connective tissue disorders.
Skin anti-aging care means applying high quality topical creams regularly to avoid the formation of wrinkles. In addition to these products, regular exercise and a well-balanced diet also helps to prevent these embarrassing conditions. These tips are extremely cost-effective and do not require you to spend a lot of money on your skin care routine.
If you are looking for skin anti-aging care products, try to find the above mentioned ingredients. Other topical substances that are used to bring back the radiance of skin are cynergy TK and CoQ10. Many skin care creams and lotions contain these ingredients, particularly the ones made to address the problem of wrinkles and aging signs.
By: John Gibb