Getting Rid of Stretch Marks After Giving Birth
December 10, 2009 by Sapphire Rylee
Filed under pregnancy symptoms
Being new mothers mean meeting new challenges – including getting rid of stretch marks after giving birth! Unfortunately, removing stretch marks is not as easy erasing marks on a paper.
Stretch marks, what are they?
Pregnancy entails different bodily changes. As the baby grows, so does your belly. The skin over your expanding tummy stretches to accommodate your larger body. Although the skin is fairly flexible and elastic, there are instances that it is overstretched resulting to collagen and elastin (both are proteins that make up the skin tissue) disruption resulting to skin being damaged and torn.
The consequence comes in the form of white stripes called stretch marks. Another cause of stretch marks is hormonal changes that accompany during periods of growth. Pregnancy is one such period. Production of glucocorticoid hormones from the adrenal glands increases while pregnant.
Fibroblasts, the cells that secrete collagen and elastin are essential in our skin. Unfortunately, glucocorticoids inhibit the production of fibroblasts. With lesser collagen and elastin available, the skin is weaker and unable to cope with excessive pulling and stretching, thus, stretch marks develop. Stretch marks are often seen in areas where you gained the most weight such as your tummy, hips, arms, and thighs.
Possible Treatments
Sponsored Links
Shed the Excess Weight – Do nothing to treat the stretch marks but do lose the weight. There are pregnant women whose stretch marks faded after losing the baby weight. Unfortunately not many of us are this lucky.
Undergo Laser Therapy – A popular cosmetic surgical method, which uses laser to remove the topmost, scarred layer of the skin. Eventually, with repeated application, the underlying and healthier skin cells beneath will surface. Results will vary on skin tone and color and age of patient. Chemical peels work in the same manner with the exception of the use of acids in removing the scarred skin.
Laser Resurfacing – This is the latest in surgical stretch mark removal involving the application of light pulses serving as guide for the laser over a series of treatments. In between the treatment sessions the body is allowed to heal as collagen and elastin production over the area that was hit with the laser is stimulated.
Vitamins – Increase intake of food high in vitamins A, C, and E that are all essential in collagen and elastin production.
Drink Water – Drink lots of water to rehydrate and moisten your skin.
Other Ingredients – Essential fatty oils such as squalene oil in fish also result glowing skin.
Skin Exfoliation – Exfoliate to promote circulation of blood in area marred with stretch marks. The more blood flowing in the area, the more likely proper healing will take place lessening the scar formation.
Stretch Mark Products – Lotions, creams and body oils. Reported effective topical preparations in treating stretch marks include retinoids and alpha hydroxy acids. While pregnant, one can apply a cream made of Centella asiatica extract, vitamin E, and collagen-elastin hydrolysates to supposedly effectively minimize stretch marks. Natural body oils like jojoba and wheatgerm oils not only soothe the skin but the massaging action promotes blood circulation to affected areas.
What is the best stretch mark treatment for your skin type ? Discover more concerning how to get rid of stretch marks fast.
Pregnancy Questions
November 11, 2009 by Jason Myers
Filed under pregnancy symptoms
Majority of the women are able to have kids, and create a minimum of one child at some point in their life. A pregnancy is great news for the dad as well as the mother, the joyful occasion results in a couple closer to each other, as they prepare for the future and look forward to the coming birth of their baby.
Most of us have defined ideas about birth and pregnancy, so a visit to the physician is advisable once a pregnancy is established or assumed. The doctor may discuss to the mother about any issues or queries she has, and may give advice on matters such as diet and exercise. It’s very significant to keep a healthy lifestyle both before and during pregnancy, this for the sake of the mom herself as well as for the baby. Future mothers need to quit smoking and drinking alcohol as these can have an effect on the physical condition of the newborn baby. The weight of the mom must additionally be taken into account — an overweight woman may experience a pregnancy burdened with complications. The best strategy is to adopt a fitness regime at the beginning and to stick with it all throughout the pregnancy. A GP will be able to provide advice on this, and will prescribe folic acid as give other nutritional tips.
In the first months of pregnancy the doctor will consider the woman’s general physical condition and discuss how her body prepares for birth. The doctor will additionally perform a complete background inspection, which will take into consideration any genetically inherited illnesses within the immediate family. This can be quite a taxing period for a mother and her husband, but it’s quite normal to be worried when the body is experiencing such upheaval.
A pregnancy calendar is a useful tool to help the mother learn what is happening at every stage of the pregnancy, and to prepare her for the birth. Although this can be a very worrying period for a woman, there are methods to conquer apprehension.
Having a close and helpful connection with her partner is a great help, and it is significant not to miss whatever medical appointments as the pregnancy develops. Many women will find means to loosen up and relax, and will start to feel in control, just pausing to be anxious about what to call the baby.
Jason Myers is a professional writer and he writes mostly about pregnancy news. He’s also interested in skin care advices.
Protecting Your Hands during Summer is a Must
The effort to protect your hands during Summer cannot be taken seriously enough. With the ultraviolet radiation and solar energy beating down from the sky, there is all manner of difficulty with keeping your hands from cracking and flaking in summer weather. By making the effort to protect your hands during the summer weather, you can ensure that you age gracefully and that you do not begin to show liver spots and other signs of skin damage on your hands.
Keep in mind that your hands are one of the most exposed parts of your body, and they see a tremendous amount of sunlight and activity. In addition to all this exposure to the weather, you also use your hands to touch everything you come into contact with. This means all manner of materials that can cause dryness, cracking and flaking.
Fortunately, it is not too difficult to protect your hands from the summer weather and activities. By utilizing good hand creams that provide ultraviolet radiation protection and strong moisturizing properties, you can protect your hands from both the summer weather and from any activities that you might get into. Considering all the sand and salt water that you might come across, it only makes sense that you would need some significant amount of moisturizer to combat the cracking and flaking that these types of activities and weather can cause.
Naturally, you will want to pick up a high quality hand cream with UV protection for your hands. Generally, the directions will say to reapply every so often. As a rule of thumb, you should reapply significantly more frequently than the label recommends. The reason for this is that if you’re active, you can rub much of the hand cream off of your hands in the course of day-to-day activities. Just like sunbathing, you should reapply as often as you possibly can in order to ensure that you do not damage your skin.
While protecting your hands during Summer might seem like it requires gloves, just utilizing a good hand cream with some decent UV protection can make all the difference in the world. Constant reapplication of your hand cream is all that is required to protect you. Unfortunately, very few people make the effort to make significant use of a good hand cream with UV protection, causing all manner of skin damage to hands in summer weather. It is important to keep in mind that any damage that occurs in your younger years will become significantly and noticeably worse in your order years. As you age, the skin damage will become more and more noticeable until it is visibly unsightly. Unless you would like to show off some brown and weathered hands in your elder years, it is a good idea to take a timeout to protect your skin from the sun and from the damage from the environment with a good moisturizing hand cream with UV protection.
While everyone has their favorite hand creams, it is important to make sure that the hand cream you use in order to protect your hands during Summer has a UV blocker and plenty of moisturizer. The higher the SPF rating, the better off you will be. With this effort to use a moisturizing cream with a UV protection level, you can work wonders for the health of your skin in the years to come.
During the summer days, it is absolutely vital to use zinc oxide sunscreens and hand creams to prevent the skin from damages. While hand creams nourish dry hands during the summer, one should also utilize natural cosmetics; it protects it from the sun and delivers a healthy appeal.
How Can You Prevent Stretch Marks During Pregnancy
August 23, 2009 by Maia Pells
Filed under Pregnancy
Some doctors may tell you that there is absolutely nothing you can do about stretch marks during pregnancy simply because they are hereditary. Just the thought however of avoiding having to wear your bikini to the beach and hiding your skin for the rest of your life should motivate you to look for a way to prevent stretch marks during pregnancy.
Disciplining Yourself
Stretch marks during pregnancy may be avoided if you watch your weight. This may not completely prevent stretch marks during pregnancy but it can result in fewer marks. The bigger your tummy grows, the more likely it will be for stretch marks to develop.
Avoid the notion that you may eat more during pregnancy since you’re feeding both yourself and your baby. You should instead follow ideal diet requirements from your doctor that will not starve you or your baby but will also result in just gaining a little over 25 extra lbs. You can also perform pregnancy exercises to make sure that you keep to your ideal weight.
Never Scratch
No matter how itchy those stretch marks can be, remember to keep your fingers to yourself if you don’t want to worsen how your stretch marks look. Some doctors will not tell you that stopping yourself from scratching your belly can help prevent stretch marks during pregnancy. This is probably because there is no clear explanation why scratching can sometimes make stretch marks worse.
It is possible though that aggressively scratching your belly can promote further internal skin tissue tearing since your skin is already too stretched and already on the verge of tearing. You can prevent stretch marks during pregnancy by soothing an itch with some powder, oil or a gentle belly rub.
Stay Moisturized
Stretch marks can be prevented during pregnancy if you keep your belly adequately moisturized. Your inner skin can tear even more quickly if it is dry, rough and inelastic owing to a lack of moisture. You should drink a lot of water for natural moisture but you can also use a natural product to prevent stretch marks during pregnancy that is safe for pregnant women to use.
Use a Safe Product
Another way of preventing stretch marks during pregnancy is to use a good product approved by your doctor. You can list down some ingredients of product names you want to use and show that list to your doctor before buying and using these. The safe products are often those that carry all natural ingredients. The logic behind natural based products is that they contain ingredients that are already naturally occurring in nature or in the body which therefore limits the chances of producing side effects.
Don’t Always Go for Budget Deals
Your tight budget while you are pregnant would make it tempting for you to choose a cheap product to prevent stretch marks during pregnancy. Pick a product that is not too expensive but also does not have rock bottom prices. Prices are often a reflection of how much research effort and quality ingredients have gone into a product mixture.
Organic Makeup For Sensitive Skin
Because our skin is constantly exposed to the harsh pollutants and chemicals in the environment, it is one of the first places we start to see physical damage. This can include premature aging, skin irritations, dry and chapped skin, and a variety of other skin conditions. As well, the chemicals and toxins found in manufactured skin products can cause even more harm to the skin. One way of combating the effects of skin irritants is to use organic makeup for sensitive skin.
Signs of sensitive skin include skin that is easily irritated, acne break outs and rashes, blotchy and red skin, and dry patches. Chemicals and synthetic ingredients can further increase these conditions. Synthetic ingredients found in many manufactured makeup products that should be avoided include: Formaldehydes, Paraffin, Imidazolidinyl urea, Diazolidiny urea, Parabens (methyl, propyl, butyl, ethyl,) petrolatum products, propylene glycol, Phthalates, PVP/VA Copolymer, synthetic colors, synthetic fragrances, and Triethanolamine. These chemicals can cause skin irritations and are particularly damaging to sensitive skin. Animal by-products are also found in these manufactured products.
Organic makeup for sensitive skin is all-natural and free of chemicals and preservatives. A few of the organic make up products available include blush, foundation, concealers, eyeliners, and lipstick. The organic elements found in the makeup products reduce the signs of aging, nourish the skin, rehydrate and replenish the skin, and moisturize leaving the skin soft and smooth with a healthy glow. The gentle natural substances found in organic make up for sensitive skin will not irritate the skin or cause physical damage. Women who suffer from allergens find organic make up beneficial because these products are hypoallergenic.
Organic makeup products are made without pesticides, chemicals, mineral oil, animal by-products, man-made preservatives, and other harsh substances. As well, a quality organic product will be 100% vegan and animal cruelty free. Natural ingredients to look for include all natural plant extract, natural clay, olive extract, natural herbs, beeswax, and flower essence. Look for the USDA seal for certified organic. This seal indicates that the makeup is 95% organic or more. A product that is less than 95% organic cannot use the USDA seal.
The skin is the body’s largest organ. Many skin problems, such as acne, dermatitis, irritations, and allergies may vanish once synthetic ingredients are longer in the makeup. Many oils and alcohols are a popular choice for mass produced skin products such as makeup because they can be easily absorbed into the skin. This results in absorption of the chemicals into the skin which causes skin damage. The healing and gentle properties of organic ingredients have made these ingredients a popular choice for millions of people around the world. Because of the vast amount of chemicals and synthetic additives in manufactured products and the increase of harsh element in our environment, the use of organics is increasing at a remarkable rate. Organic makeup for sensitive skin is one product more people are choosing to achieve a healthier lifestyle. The switch to organic makeup leaves women with smooth, soft, and clear skin resulting in improved skin health.
Pregnant Women and Acne Treatment
July 23, 2009 by Gail Jones
Filed under Pregnancy
Treating acne is usually the right move when you have it, but not at all times. There are stages in a person’s life when you can not treat acne just because you want to. During pregnancy is one of those times. As everyone knows, this is a delicate stage in a woman’s life and it is that phase of a woman’s life that she must show extra care of herself. If she feels the need to treat her acne, she must ensure that she equips herself with the proper information.
This must also be borne in mind by those women who may get pregnant. The following are some remedies for acne that are not recommended for use during pregnancy since they could be harmful to the fetus:
Hormonal Treatment that may include estrogen, flutamide or spirolactone. They are definitely not allowed, because they are injurious and could cause complications for both the mother and her child. It is best see it as a danger.
Isotretinoin is another one that would put a pregnant woman’s life in danger. It has negative effects as well especially for pregnant women and those that are breast-feeding. It may cause severe health hazards in both the mother and her fetus inside her womb. It is advised that a woman in the process of taking Isotretinoin must be monitored by a doctor. Those who are trying to become pregnant must avoid the use of Isotretinoin, since it may just trigger negative issues not only for mother but most especially for the child.
Oral tetracyclines, which could be made up of|of] doxycycline, tetracycline or minocycline, may not be a choice on any account, because it is harmful. It has been shown that pregnant women or those who are breast-feeding should refuse the use of this drug at all costs, because it could produce side effects that are nothing short of a threat to the life of you and your child. However, the most common side effect is the permanent discoloration of your teeth or / and bone weakness.
Topical retinoids, like as tazarotene, adapalene and tretinoin, is another group that should be totally avoided. Just like the above-mentioned treatments, topical retinoids can be a danger to you and your foetus. No matter whether you are pregnant or not, it is just not wise to take any of the therapies mentioned above.
For certain, those women, who are pregnant and have acne, really have to refrain from the heavy drugs mentioned here. Instead, why not settle for more traditional remedies, like keeping your hair up off your face, cleaning your face three or four times a day, changing your pillow cases every day, eating more fresh fruit and avoiding fatty, oily and spicy food?
How Do You Get Rid Of Stretch Marks With The Best Treatment For Stretch Marks
July 5, 2009 by Xylene Belita
Filed under Pregnancy
Best pregnancy stretch mark cream? One of the top stretch marks cream on the market is the Revitol Stretch Mark Prevention Cream which effectively prevents stretch marks from forming and help lessen existing stretch marks.
Containing only 100% natural ingredients which includes grapefruit seed extract, squalene oil, vitamin A, vitamin D3, vitamin E, and aloe vera, the Revitol Stretch Marks Cream works to moisturize and regenerate the skin.
The grapefruit seed extract and the vitamin E in Revitol Stretch Marks Cream both stimulate the production of natural collagen that makes your skin stronger and naturally more elastic. Both ingredients effectively work to prevent stretch marks caused by dermal tearing.
Revitol Stretch Marks Cream has restorative effects that decrease the appearance of old stretch marks, by helping replace existing scar tissue by new skin cells, while the additional collagen and elastin repair the tears in the dermal layer.
Other products may promise you the complete vanishing of stretch marks, which we all know isn’t real. Stretch marks can only actually disappear over time, a medically known fact. Revitol Stretch Marks Cream does no such thing and only promises you realistic results. Stretch marks can’t be eradicated completely, but Revitol Stretch Marks Cream can help you keep them under control. Best results are obtained for newer scar tissue while older ones take longer. Even so, it’s the most excellent product for stretch marks and can actually deliver what it promises to do. And that is – to considerably reduce the appearance of stretch marks and help you stay confident about your body, even during motherhood. Be sure to Buy Best lotion for stretch marks today.
Sunscreen: a must have item this summer
As the temperature rises, swimming suits and shorts come out of the closet, flip flops get dusted off, and all thoughts of winter are left behind. Summertime means yards work outside, days at the beach, and outside fun with the family. However, the intense summer sun can cause skin damage and cancer, so using sunscreen is a daily necessity, especially during all those outside activities.
The purpose of a sunscreen is to block the harmful UVA and UVB radiation from the sun. This radiation damages all skin types, from those who are fair to those who have a dark complexion or tan easily. In fact, a reliable sunscreen is necessary even on a cloudy day because the cloud layer does not block this radiation. All sunscreens carry a Sun Protection Factor or SPF. The SPF rating shows how the product performs in protecting against UVB radiation. Wearing a sunscreen of SPF 15 daily will help prevent the sun’s damaging effects. It is recommended to apply sunscreen at least 30 minutes before sun exposure. During the summer most people flock to the beaches, so some sunscreens are designed to be water-proof or sweat-proof.
Most of the sunscreens available on the market block damaging radiation through a concoction of different chemical ingredients. These products are normally in the forms of creams or sprays. Once sunscreen is applied onto the skin, the chemicals work to both reflect and scatter the radiation, or absorb it. In recent years, there have been many questions raised about the safety and effectiveness of these chemicals. Some scientists claim these chemicals produce free radicals, which actually increase skin damage and the risk of skin cancer, rather than lowering it. Another concern is that these synthetic chemicals may accumulate in the human body, and can actually reach the blood stream by being absorbed through the skin. Since the goal of using a sunscreen is to protect the body, and not harm it, many consumers have turned to using organic sunscreen to protect their families.
Organic sunscreens, like Weleda, use a combination of naturally occurring herbs, plant proteins, and minerals to provide sun protection. Some organic sunscreens are infused with vitamins to benefit your skin. Different types of organic sunscreens are available including creams, sprays, and powders which all carry appropriate SPF ratings. Organic powder sunscreens are mineral based, and are perfect for everyday protection. Minerals commonly found in organic sunscreen are titanium dioxide and zinc oxide. One advantage of choosing the organic sunscreens over the chemical ones is they reduce the risk of skin irritation. Those with sensitive skin will especially benefit from the skin soothing properties of organic ingredients.
Before you hit the beach this summer it is imperative you remember to apply a quality sunscreen. The varieties of organic and chemical based sunscreens are endless. Choose a sunscreen that is good for your skin, has an appropriate SPF rating, and is designed for your activity. Using this must have item now, will benefit your skin for years to come.
If Stretch Marks is a Problem Buy A Stretch Marks Cream
June 24, 2009 by Xylene Belita
Filed under Pregnancy
Stretch marks are a kind of scarring in the skin that is visibly as off-color bands, stripes, or lines. After the underlying tissue grows more rapidly than the skin layer, it causes the tearing of the dermis which damage tissue then forms over, forming evident stretch marks. This is often due to rapid or sudden enlargement of the body. Women, for the duration of pregnancy, are especially prone to developing striae.
The rapid growth of the abdominal region for women during the fifth and sixth months of pregnancy subjects the abdominal skin to a considerable amount of pressure. The fetus grows quicker than the mother’s skin can keep up with causing tearing in the epidermis thus the pregnancy stretch marks.
Skin grows differently and certain people suffer from stretch marks more harshly than others. And since they are essentially, scar tissue, they may reduce in time but can in no way completely fade away. That’s why prevention is the key to avoiding stretch marks.
Stretch Marks Cream helps you stop their formation. It is best to utilize them during the first stages of pregnancy or when you are trying to conceive. But it’s never too late to get going and you will see huge improvements even on already existing stretch marks.
If you’ve ever had to hide up on the beach or been uncomfortable around your significant other, Stretch Marks Cream will without doubt offer you back the self-assurance you deserve. Stretch Marks Cream regenerates your skin and even treat existing Stretch Marks.
Your Options For Dealing With Stretch Marks During Pregnancy
May 1, 2009 by Brenda Greer
Filed under pregnancy symptoms
Pregnancy is that period in time when a mother is carrying her baby in her womb. Though the extraordinary sensation of being pregnant is exhilarating, it can also pose a seemingly pessimistic comment to women having unsightly stretch marks.
Stretch marks transpire when your expanding skin stretches beyond its natural limits thereby causing minute tears to show up in the skins supporting layers. Scar tissues then grow in these tears thus forming stretch marks. Regrettably, 75 to 90 percent of pregnant women around the globe should anticipate growing these marks. Plus several studies have shown that these marks have been in the line-up as one of the top five roots for lack of self-confidence in women. You cant seemingly blame women for worrying further.
Pregnancy stretch marks are common in the abdomen and in certain areas like the buttocks, arms, thighs, and breasts. An expectant mothers abdomen can be flat for the first four months but suddenly catches up during the fifth & sixth month with tremendously hasty growth rate exposing the abdomen to a great deal of tension apparently resulting to stretch marks.
Pregnancy stretch marks cannot be utterly expunged unlike what we are often made to accept as true. Therefore, it is wiser to prevent the occurrence of such marks earlier than patching it up later on. Pregnant women should initiate using pregnancy stretch mark creams early on to build up the skins defense against stretch marks.
These pregnancy stretch marks creams are made to add moisture to the body, keeping stretch marks from appearing. Putting on plenty of the cream several times a day is excellent for pregnant women, and there should be several hours between applying it. A mistake many women make is to quickly apply the cream. Instead they should put the cream on their hand and massage it fully into the skin using a clockwise motion. This helps to make sure the cream is more effective, since it is massaged deep into the skin’s layers.
Pregnancy stretch mark cream treatments are manufactured with the accent of increasing the flexibility of the skin to endure expansion later on. This is the key in inhibiting the augmentation of stretch marks. The suppler the skin is, the better it acts in response towards the development brought about by pregnancy resulting in lesser torn collagen.
The final thing that some expectant women fail to comprehend is that pregnancy stretch mark creams are for the most part effectual when applied prior to the development of these mark, or within a year of its progress. Laxity during this vital period will result in difficult elimination of scars in the future. Committing to early preventive measures against stretch marks is as excellent as investing in your lasting physical beauty.
You can control the way your skin appears. Skin that is glowing and healthy is a great beauty. Using the pregnancy stretch mark cream, you can have confidence in your skin and enjoy pregnancy at ease knowing your skin will be okay.