All expectant mothers at 6 months of pregnancy face a skin problem that is difficult to prevent. It is caused by the skin being stretched or pulled to expand rapidly, usually starting on the abdomen and spreading to the hips or thighs. Applying anti-stretch mark cream can help alleviate abdominal stretch marks to some extent.
Causes
- Pregnancy at a young age
- Hormonal changes
- Genetics
- Weight gain
Most stretch marks are about 1 – 10 centimeters wide and can be several centimeters long. Over 90% of pregnant women experience abdominal stretch marks during the last trimester.
Recommendations
- Whether pregnant or not, pay attention to your diet and try to control your weight to stay within the recommended range. This allows your skin time to adjust and prevents excessive stretching.
- Regularly applying moisturizing cream helps keep the skin soft, hydrated, and elastic. It prepares the mother’s skin to better cope with the growth of the baby in the womb. It is best to start as early as the beginning of pregnancy.
- When choosing moisturizing cream, select thick creams or lotions as they retain moisture better and longer than regular types. You may also use baby oil or olive oil on the skin.
- Avoid hot or very warm showers because high-temperature water washes away the skin’s natural oils, causing dryness, peeling, and cracking.