Lotions For Stretch Marks - Does It Really Help?

Do lotions and creams for stretch mark treatment actually useful? Useful yes but can never completely remove those ugly scars. Remember that stretch marks appear due to a tear in the inner layer i.e. the dermis layer of the skin, any cream or lotion reaching so far inside is actually impossible so forget the false notion that lotions and creams will enable your pregnancy stretch marks to be removed.

Efficacy Of Lotions And Creams

Lotion or cream for pregnancy stretch marks will definitely minimize them and make them barely visible. This is possible because the lotions have compounds, which replenish the skin's lost natural oils. Lotions with compounds like Trenetoin and Retin A have proved to be beneficial but are not good for pregnant women. Lotions add to general skin health and they have been useful in minimizing stretch marks.

Cocoa butter is the most famous of the lot but may have allergic reactions on some people so it is wise to do a sensitivity test before use. Some creams and lotions contain steroids such as hydrocortisone should be discontinued and strictly avoided. Check thoroughly the cream or lotion being marketed. The ingredients should be effective enough not just to hide the scars but also to help in producing regenerated skin. There are several companies offering creams and lotions with lots of testimonials and a guarantee that you may return it if not satisfied. If you are convinced, try it after checking with your health specialist. It is better to use creams or lotions after pregnancy to avoid any side effects on your baby.

Other Options

Laser treatment for stretch marks as of now is believed to be a permanent cure for stretch marks since it destroys the scarred tissue and automatically new tissue replaces the area, though it may or may not work on the kind of stretch marks you have. Nothing is assured, you may try it but it is a very costly affair and failure may really put you down.

Lotions for stretch marks are a good thing to try since they are not very costly as compared to laser. Even laser cannot guarantee 100% removal; to be honest; we still have not devised a method of complete removal of stretch marks. They do not have side effects and may be used in the coziness of your home. Creams tend to moisturize the area so that the damage to collagen is less noticeable.

You may use lotions with Vitamin E to improve skin tone as well as those that have alpha hydroxyls so that collagen production is stimulated in that area.

Lose Weight After Pregnancy

Lose Weight But Slowly

Life isn't that simple after pregnancy, when your body is still recovering and your hands full, taking care of the baby, adjusting to the new arrival, your own needs often take a back seat. New mothers often find it hard to lose weight after pregnancy. Though the experience of having a baby, enduring the pain and feeling the baby grow during the nine months of pregnancy is wonderful for the mother, however, at the same time it also leads to the putting on of those extra kilos. It's frustrating to realize that you have grown out of your favorite jeans and that you no longer fit into that old top. It's quite obvious that you would want to regain your pre-pregnancy shape. However! Being impatient will not help, you need to lose weight but slowly, pushing too hard can rebound on you .Therefore," Take it Easy!" and lose weight, but slowly.

Do Not Think Of Losing Weight Instantly Like Celebrity Moms

Of course! You cannot compare yourself with those celebrity moms, who get into shape immediately after giving birth, and you cannot ignore the fact that they are always surrounded by fitness experts, dietitians and nurses who take care of them. Most importantly, it's also due to their commercial commitments, therefore weight loss for them is done much faster as compared to others. Thus, one should not follow their example as a model for losing weight after pregnancy.

Recover Your Body by Giving It Time and Focus on Eating Healthy

For the first three months after pregnancy, you should focus on eating healthy and nutritious food and concentrate on recovering your body's energy rather than thinking of weight loss. It requires all your energy to take care of the newborn, often getting up at night for feeds. The entire process of pregnancy and the physical trauma of giving birth leave your body exhausted and stressed. It takes up to 6 months after pregnancy for your body to return to its normal shape. Therefore, it is important that even if you are not breast-feeding your baby, you need not worry about losing weight during this period.

Don't Force Yourself, Exercise When You Can

Pushing yourself too hard and exercising too much, too soon after pregnancy, would only affect your health; however, this does not imply that you should lead a sedentary lifestyle. What is more important is to take small steps, meaning that you can start with gentle exercise, once you return home. Always consult your Doctor before starting any vigorous exercise, rather they should be best avoided till your first post-pregnancy checkup is okayed by your doctor. This includes your diet chart as well. Your doctor will be able to inform you about the various benefits of exercising and doing it slowly, and chalk out a systematic plan for you. You can continue to breastfeed your baby once you start exercising.

Feeding Your Baby

A nursing mother on an average produces 850ml of breast milk each day, for which she requires a nutritious diet. Therefore, make sure you follow your doctor's advice about nutrition, as it is very important after pregnancy to eat healthy food.

When to Start Weight Reduction?

You can start on a healthy, fat-free diet along with vigorous exercise only after 2-3 months after pregnancy, once your period has returned to normal and you no longer feel weak. However, aiming for fast weight loss is not the solution, just aim at losing 1 pound per week, eat nutritious food and consult your doctor.

Regaining Your Shape

Regaining your shape after pregnancy would depend on how much weight you gained during pregnancy. Although the average weight gain is around 25-35 pounds, mothers generally lose 12-14 pounds during birth, thus leaving a remainder of about 12-21 pounds of weight to be taken care of. Even after 3 months of recovery after pregnancy, one can easily shed these extra pounds within 6-8 months. However, if you gained more than 35 pounds all you need to do is to give an extra month of diet control and exercising for each additional 6 pounds gained. If you gained 47 pounds, you will take approximately 10 months to lose weight and return to your original weight. However, these are just examples to help you in having a more simple and scientific approach towards weight loss. Thus, it is not difficult to reduce weight after pregnancy; all you need is little patience and a set routine of exercising and eating a healthy diet.