Pregnancy brings about a lot of changes in a woman’s body. While some may be appreciated, some are downright feared. One of those changes most women dread during pregnancy is stretch marks. While some women are lucky to not have any, after the pregnancy, most women have mild to severe marks, as a symbol of the pregnancy they endured. Here is a guide on how to choose the right stretch marks cream during pregnancy.
Using a stretch marks cream can also help your skin stay soft and moisturized. This in turn prevents itching and irritation that is caused due to skin expansion. This article gives you a gist of what stretch marks are, why they appear, and how you can manage them by using the right stretch marks cream.
In This Article
- What Are Stretch Marks?
- Why Use a Preventive Stretch Mark Cream During Pregnancy?
- Do Stretch Marks Cream Really Work?
- When to Use Stretch Marks Cream During Pregnancy?
- Benefits of Using Stretch Marks Cream During Pregnancy
- Do Stretch Marks Cream Have Any Side Effects?
- What to Look For in a Stretch Mark Cream?
- Top Stretch Marks Cream Brands in India
What Are Stretch Marks?
During pregnancy, a woman’s body expands to accommodate the growing baby. For some this expansion can be very minimal, while for some it can be a lot, pushing their skin beyond its usual elasticity.
When the skin stretches beyond its elasticity, it ruptures the elastin and collagen. When the ruptured skin heals, it develops marks, more infamously known as stretch marks. It is like a scar that develops as the skin stretches or contracts too quickly – be it during pregnancy or otherwise.
Why Use a Preventive Stretch Mark Cream During Pregnancy?
Stretch marks need to be taken care of right from the start. Using creams and lotions to erase stretch marks hardly has any positive outcome. While you cannot undo the scars of pregnancy, you can always avoid them. Preventive stretch marks cream, as the name suggests, does just that. Isn’t it better if you focus on preventing the scars from appearing?
These creams work on the skin to make it supple and moisturized. Dry skin develops stretch marks more easily. So, when you keep the skin well-nourished and hydrated with specially designed creams, it helps reduce the appearance of these stretch marks, if not completely avoid them.
[Read : Dry and Flaky Skin During Pregnancy]
Do Stretch Marks Cream Really Work?
Continuous usage of some of these creams can help reduce the visibility of the stretch marks, but never completely erase them. In due course, it can help boost your confidence too. However, it is important to choose a cream that’s well-suited for your skin and doesn’t irritate it. Because pregnancy is a period where you need to be extra careful about your skin.
When to Use Stretch Marks Cream During Pregnancy?
It is best to start using stretch mark cream right from the beginning of your pregnancy. As pregnancy causes hormonal fluctuations, your skin changes too. It can get very oily, too dry, or just sensitive. It is important to pay attention to your skin right from the start.
You can start using a stretch mark cream right from your 3rd month of pregnancy or at the beginning of the 4th month. This is when the baby starts pushing and your pregnancy starts “showing”. As the baby grows, the pregnancy belly gets bigger.
Start using the cream on a daily basis right from the beginning of your 2nd trimester. You don’t have to wait for the stomach to get bigger or for the marks to start showing. Remember if the marks appear, it can be nearly impossible to undo them.
[Read : Belly Expansion During Pregnancy]
Benefits of Using Stretch Marks Cream During Pregnancy
Here are a few benefits of using a stretch marks cream during pregnancy
- Reduce the appearance of stretch marks.
- Keep the skin hydrated and well-nourished.
- Can reduce the occurrence of wrinkles by keeping the skin moisturized when it expands.
- Can even out your skin tone.
- Can make the skin feel smooth and soft.
Do Stretch Marks Cream Have Any Side Effects?
The safety-approved and certified ones should not have any side effects. However, each skin is different and what works for one may not work for another. Pregnancy can be tricky when it comes to skincare. Even the cream you are used for years can give you an allergy when used during pregnancy.
Also, it is advisable to do a patch test first. If you do not develop any side effects even two days after using the cream, then it can be safe for you. If you notice any adverse reaction to the cream, discontinue the usage and consult your doctor immediately.
Some of the possible side effects are
- Skin irritation
- Rashes
- Severe itching
- Retinoid-based creams used during pregnancy can harm the baby
What to Look For in a Stretch Mark Cream?
Here are a few things you need to consider or understand before you can spend your money on that stretch marks cream, hoping to erase away all those scars
1. Easy And Safe To Use
The cream should be easy to use, like from a tube or a bottle. It should not be complicated. Skin can be very sensitive when pregnant, the cream has to be safe for such a skin type, as well as the baby on the inside.
2. Hypoallergenic
It should not cause any allergic reactions after use.
3. Quality Ingredients
The ingredients used must be of very good quality and not substandard quality.
4. Good Formula
A good formula for a skincare product is one, which abides by all rules and regulations set by the concerned department. Next, it should factor in the target audience and the problem. Ingredients must be in the right ratio to avoid adverse reactions after using the cream.
Top Stretch Marks Cream Brands in India
There are quite a number of stretch mark creams in the market. Some of the more famous and reputed brands in India are
- The Moms Co Natural Body Butter
- The Moms Co Natural Stretch Marks Bundle
- Bio-Oil Skin Care Oil
- Cipla Mamaxpert Stretch Mark Cream
- Mamaearth Rich Body Creme
Choosing a suitable stretch marks cream during pregnancy can help you avoid them to some extent. However, using a stretch marks cream can also help your skin stay hydrated and moisturized which is very important during pregnancy.
Read Also: How to Choose Skincare Products During Pregnancy?
