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DIY Pregnancy Care Package

DIY Pregnancy Care Package

Pregnancy is one of the most exciting, scariest, empowering, nerve-wracking, and beautiful times in a woman’s life. As a friend or loved one to a mom-to-be, we understand that you want to do everything you can to reduce the lows and increase the highs during this nine-month rollercoaster.

Your loved one’s baby registry is jam-packed, and you’ve bought the perfect gift for the new bundle of joy.

But what about your loved one, you wonder? Between her focusing on the nursery and prepping her home, when will she find the time to truly pamper herself?

…and then it hits you! A DIY pregnancy care package would be the perfect, most unexpected (and appreciated!) gift for the pregnant woman in your life. If curated just right, it will help her relax, nourish her body, indulge a little, and focus on taking care of and feeling comfortable and confident in her changing skin.

DIY Pregnancy Care Package Ideas

Pregnancy care packages are creative and thoughtful opportunities to give the expecting woman in your life extra special gifts that she may not buy or discover for herself – gifts that are certainly not on her baby registry, either.

To go the extra mile when piecing your package together, tailor it to all three trimesters and the postpartum phase. Especially if this is your loved one’s first pregnancy, she may not realize what she will need or crave during each stage.

Even if this is your loved one’s third or fifth pregnancy, these DIY pregnancy care package ideas are sure to touch and support her throughout her entire journey.

Pregnancy Care Package First Trimester

The first trimester is full of the ‘oh my gosh, I’m pregnant!’ elation and the ‘morning sickness (that is more like all-day sickness) is the worst’ mood-killers.

For this three-month period that is occupied by ebbs and flows, give your loved one the essentials: love, support, and a ridiculously good skin care product. Here are some suggestions for a pregnancy care package in the first trimester:

  • Card – Hand write your congratulations in a cute card that you know your loved one will melt over.
  • Journal – Even if your loved one has never been an avid journal queen, she may want to chronicle this once-in-a-lifetime journey now. Give her the tools to do just that by gifting her a pretty journal.
  • TUMS® – Some women get heartburn during pregnancy. In case your loved one does, pack TUMS into the package. *TUMS provides safe heartburn relief for women who are pregnant and can also provide calcium.1 It’s always best for your loved one to consult with her doctor before taking any medication or supplement.
  • Water bottle – Hydration is essential during pregnancy, so including a water bottle in your care package can help encourage your loved one to stay on top of her water intake each day.
  • Gift card – Her baby registry may be taken care of, but she undoubtedly has some lingering wants for herself. What’s her favorite store or where could she use a gift card to? Even if it’s a $10 gift card, $10 can go a long way!

Pregnancy Care Package Must-Haves

  • Favorite snacks – Between morning sickness and cravings, your loved one will be ecstatic to see her favorite snacks in your care package so she can happily nibble all day.
  • Stretch mark prevention body oil – Because a woman’s body changes rapidly during pregnancy, it’s essential to start a pregnancy-specific skincare regime right away. Before gifting any product, it’s important to make sure it’s safe for pregnancy and effective to prevent stretch marks. Introduce your loved one to a comprehensive body oil that will prevent or reduce the appearance of marks and scars, even skin tone, and help her maintain her youthful, pregnancy glow.
  • Pregnancy & skin care guide – For any pregnant woman, it can be hard to make sense of all that is happening externally and how to best nurture their skin. Don’t leave this Pregnancy & Your Skin guide out of your care package. It will help your loved one understand how their skin can change during pregnancy and learn effective ways they can work toward healthy, beautiful skin at any gestational or postpartum stage.

 

Pregnancy Care Package Second Trimester

It’s getting more exciting! Your loved one may be starting to show at the beginning of the second trimester, making these the perfect second trimester pregnancy care package ideas:

  • Maternity clothes – Depending on the season – and what you know she doesn’t already have – help your loved one expand her stylish maternity wardrobe by including a robe, a dress, a top, or leggings in your care package. Feeling comfortable and stylish are two huge wins during pregnancy, and you can help add to your loved one’s confidence.
  • PJs or a body pillow – Sleep may start to get a little uncomfortable during this stage, and in preparation for the third trimester, consider gifting your loved one some pajamas. If she doesn’t already have one, you could be a lifesaver and add a pregnancy pillow to the care package, too.
  • Gift card – What about including a gift card to your loved one’s favorite restaurant so her and her partner can have a date night or kick off a babymoon?

Pregnancy Care Package Must-Haves

  • Offer to take her photo – This is more of a gesture than a material thing, but it’s important. While she may be documenting her pregnancy with mirror selfies, offer to take her picture at the park or at a setting of her choice. She will undoubtedly cherish the photo(s) forever.
  • Favorite treats – Try to add different ones if you did a first trimester care package, but – whatever you do – don’t forget the snacks and treats!
  • Safe and powerful stretch mark body oil – The benefits and necessity of a safe and effective stretch mark prevention body oil cannot be overstated. If your loved one isn’t using anything yet, or you want to introduce her to a product that is safe and delivers results you can see, gift her a stretch mark body oil that’s infused with essential oils, vitamins, and Gotu Kola and supports strength, elasticity and firmness.

 

Pregnancy Care Package Third Trimester

The home stretch is here, and these third trimester pregnancy care package ideas are sure to carry your loved one through:

  • Letter – Hand written words of love, support, encouragement, excitement and a vision of the future will not only go a long way, but they will also be held dear forever.
  • Bath – A good bath is a true luxury. Help your loved one soak in absolute relaxation and soothing scents by including pregnancy-safe bath oils.
  • Slippers and socks – If it’s winter when you’re making this package, comfortable slippers and socks will be well-loved gifts. Even if it’s summer, that hospital stay for the delivery can be a little on the chilly side (and not pleasant for bare feet). So, help her feet prepare for anything during these final weeks.

Pregnancy Care Package Must-Haves

  • Photo – Every pregnant woman deserves one good photo of her and her bump before birth. If she hasn’t had any taken yet, offer to snap some for her.
  • Favorite Snacks – Over and over, snacks and treats win! No pregnancy care package should be complete without an ample supply of them.
  • Nourishing stretch mark body oil – It’s never too late to help the expecting woman in your life achieve safe, beautiful skin during pregnancy. An effective, multifaceted alternative to certain over-the-counter lotions and moisturizers, stretch mark body oil is a robust, hydrating pregnancy skin care solution that combines essential oils, vitamins, and other substances – such as herbs – to penetrate the surface of the skin and support elasticity, strength, and firmness. Your loved one won’t be able to stop thanking you!

 

Pregnancy Care Package in Postpartum

The culmination of all the wait and hopes and well-wishes have delivered a new baby and you couldn’t be more excited for your loved one and her growing family. While everyone is swooning over the baby, your attention is on the new mom.

While she (or the hospital) probably has a lot of the nitty-gritty essentials handled, the following postpartum pregnancy care package ideas are sure to come in handy:

  • Hot/cold pack – Labor and delivery test the body like no other, and it will need some support to fully heal. A hot/cold pack can work wonders with ice to reduce swelling (in any area of the body) and heat to increase circulation and relax muscles.
  • Hair ties – With all attention and energy poured into the new babe, there’s no time for fancy hair. So up it goes in a cute bun or ponytail thanks to your thoughtful gift of hair ties.
  • Lip balm – There’s certainly no time for chapped lips as a new mom!
  • Candle – Help your loved one sink deep into relaxation while nursing or soaking in all the newborn goodness with her favorite scented candle.

Pregnancy Care Package Must-Haves

  • Tasty, healthy snacks – Postpartum requires a lot of energy, so granola, date bars, coconut water, etc. (things with high-fiber and high-protein) will help her fuel through her days.
  • Disposable panties/liners/pads – After birth, these are essential for a few weeks.
  • Rejuvenating stretch mark therapy – Acquiring a few stretch marks is very common, and so is feeling uncomfortable in or unhappy with your skin after birth. Help your loved one quickly bounce back with a stretch mark therapy kit that significantly reduces the appearance of stretch marks and supports the natural regeneration of collagen and elastin.

 

Complete Your DIY Pregnancy Care Package with ReTone

A breakthrough in the body oil skin care category, ReTone offers a Gotu Kola oil base with essential oils and vitamins C+E to reach beneath your skin hydrating and supporting strength, elasticity and firmness.

Gotu Kola – known as the herb of longevity – has some of the most amazing skin rejuvenating properties and is proven to boost antioxidant activity, support collagen production, increase blood circulation, and prevent swelling.

While ReTone Body Oil is acclaimed for its ability to prevent and reduce the appearance of stretch marks and scars, this quick absorbing body oil helps skin fight aging, maintain a youthful glow, and breathe free without a greasy residue.

Above all, ReTone Body Oil is made with our customers’ utmost safety in mind. Composed of a quick absorbing, non-greasy formula, and never containing any artificial coloring or mineral oils, it will leave skin feeling clean, balanced, protected, and bright.

Resources:

1 American Pregnancy Association. TUMS During Pregnancy. Accessed January 28, 2019. http://americanpregnancy.org/is-it-safe/tums-during-pregnancy/.


Choose What's Best for You: A Review of Pregnancy Stretch Mark Oils

Choose What’s Best for You: A Review of Pregnancy Stretch Mark Oils

With the myriad of skin care options on the market, finding a skin care product that works for your skin’s varying and unique needs can be challenging. When it comes to pregnancy skin care, it’s increasingly important to find what will help support and nourish your skin as it stretches and protects.

Most pregnancy stretch mark oils state they have proven benefits and deliver desired results, but you’ve been here before. With so many products to choose from, what really works and what doesn’t?

Instead of playing the guessing game and shelling out more money for pregnancy stretch mark oils to see what is effective for you, start here:

We’ve reviewed seven oils for pregnancy stretch marks to help you learn about the most popular oils and get a good sense of what product may be best for you.

Stretch Mark Oils for Pregnancy

Gotu Kola.
Known as the herb of longevity, gotu kola has been said to hold the power to boost intelligence, promote kidney and liver health, and heal damaged skin – especially scars and stretch marks.

Gotu kola is also known as “tiger’s herb”, for legend claims that injured tigers rub against the herb to heal their wounds.

As a pregnancy stretch mark oil, gotu kola has been shown to increase the body’s collagen production.1 This is significant because, in turn, gotu kola not only aids in treating and fading existing stretch marks, but it also helps prevent new stretch marks from forming.

Bio Oil.
If you’re interested in pregnancy stretch mark oil, you’ve probably already heard of bio oil. Bio oil during pregnancy can help enhance the skin’s overall appearance and fade stretch marks.

It’s important to note that this type of body oil uses retinol palmitate, a form of vitamin A. There’s an ongoing debate about its safety, and most medical professionals don’t recommend its use in pregnancy.

Additionally, bio oil uses mineral oil, which is also not preferred for use in pregnancy.

Coconut Oil.
Coconut oil for stretch marks during pregnancy has been called somewhat of a triple threat with antifungal, antimicrobial, and antiviral properties. Because coconut oil easily absorbs into the skin, it helps prevent free radical damage and can improve the appearance of stretch marks on most skin types.

Virgin, organic coconut oil is the purest, most effective form of the oil – compared to most wholesale options.

It’s important to note; however, that there isn’t a large body of scientific evidence linking coconut oil to a reduction in stretch marks. Coconut oil certainly has many benefits for your skin, but in regards to stretch marks the results are mostly anecdotal.

Tamanu Oil.
From the fruit kernel of the tamanu tree found in Southeast Asia, tamanu oil boasts several skin-specific benefits. Most importantly, the nutrient-rich oil’s ability to heal and regenerate skin tissue and expedite the overall stretch mark healing and fading process.

Rosehip Oil.
Rosehip seed oil contains essential vitamins and omega-3 and -6 fatty acids and absorbs easily into the top derma layer. This oil also offers numerous benefits, with the most sought-after being its ability to improve skin complexion and stimulate the production of collagen fibers.

Vitamin E Oil.
Vitamin E oil for pregnancy delivers a one-two punch with anti-aging and skin rejuvenating benefits. Widely used as a supplementary oil, vitamin E oil is commonly mixed with other essential oils to reduce the appearance of stretch marks. When combined with vitamin C, antioxidant properties and the production of collagen increase exponentially.

Argan Oil.
A rare oil that’s high in omega-6 and -9 fatty acids, argan oil helps deeply moisturize the skin, improve elasticity and boost skin rejuvenation – aiding in powerful stretch mark prevention and treatment.

A Comprehensive Pregnancy Stretch Mark Oil that Only Combines the Most Effective Oils

Alone, each of the reviewed oils can be effective, but when combined into one powerful, complete formula, your skin will benefit from more than just stretch mark prevention and treatment.

Combining only the most effective oils, and never adding any fillers or artificial colors, ReTone’s Body Oil is an outlier in the overcrowded pregnancy oil realm.

Why?

ReTone is the first pregnancy stretch marks oil with Gotu Kola, giving your skin unrivaled support to reduce scars and stretch marks the natural and safe way.

Additionally, the other oils included in ReTone’s Body Oil – Argan Oil, Tamanu Oil, Rosehip Oil, Vitamin E, Vitamin C, Jojoba Oil, and Avocado Oil – help your skin stay hydrated, achieve a more even tone, fight aging, maintain a youthful glow, and superb at keeping dry stubborn skin at bay.

Prevent and reduce the appearance of your stretch marks the natural way by extracting the benefits of the most effective pregnancy stretch mark oils in one complete product.

If you are not completely satisfied with our product, we offer a 60-day money back guarantee.

Try ReTone Body Oil

A Must-Read: Pregnancy & Your Skin Guide

When you’re pregnant, it can be hard to make sense of all that is happening externally and how to best nurture your skin. We developed the Pregnancy & Your Skin Guide to help you understand how your skin can change during pregnancy and learn effective ways to work toward healthy, beautiful skin during pregnancy and long after.

Safe, beautiful skin during and after pregnancy is possible.

Download Our Pregnancy & Your Skin Guide

Resources:
1 National Center for Biotechnology Information. Centella asiatica in cosmetology. Accessed June 7, 2018. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3834700/.


5 Tips to Avoid Stretch Marks During Pregnancy

5 Tips to Avoid Stretch Marks During Pregnancy

Regardless of whether this is your first or fifth pregnancy, bonding with your baby and watching them grow in utero is nothing short of a miracle. Ideally, there should be no worries or concerns, but – realistically speaking – there always are.

As your baby develops strong and healthy in your womb, your skin stretches way beyond its everyday comfort zone. Your body is amazing, so of course it can grow however your baby needs it to. When it comes to stretch marks, however natural and common they may be to pregnancy, we understand that they can be a real worry for some moms-to-be.

How to Avoid Stretch Marks During Pregnancy

Luckily, there are ways to prevent stretch marks during pregnancy. Use these five tips to keep your skin stretch mark-free:

1. Hydrate. Hydrate. Hydrate!
Did you know that every cell in the human body is composed of about 70% water?
Your body heavily relies on water to keep you healthy and looking your best.

During your pregnancy, and in an effort to avoid stretch marks, water is key. Drinking water aids in detoxifying the skin and body of impurities and promotes soft skin. When your skin is soft and supple, it can expand with more ease and is less prone to the tears associated with stretch marks.

2. Slightly Alter Your Diet.
Just as your baby is relying on you to consume the right amount of vitamins and nutrients through a balanced diet, your skin is, too.

Foods that promote skin health can improve your skin’s elasticity and prevent stretch marks during pregnancy. Talk with your doctor about adding foods to your diet that help skin flourish, such as:

  • Foods high in omega-3 fatty acids to keep cell membranes healthy and promote glowing skin: fish, fish oils, eggs, walnuts.
  • Foods high in vitamin A to repair skin tissue: salmon, cheese, hard-boiled eggs, carrots, sweet potatoes, mango, cantaloupe.
  • Foods high in vitamin E to protect skin cell membranes: almonds, avocado, peanuts, peanut butter, almond butter.
  • Foods high in antioxidants to nourish and protect the skin: dark chocolate, pecans, blueberries, goji berries, spinach, kale, artichokes, strawberries, raspberries, other fruits and vegetables.

Additionally, consuming foods high in zinc and protein and getting nutrients from unprocessed sources will advance skin health during pregnancy.

3. Keep That Body Moving.
A regular workout routine during pregnancy can do great things for your skin. When you get your blood pumping to increase circulation, your:

  • Skin’s elasticity will improve
  • Skin’s cells will receive necessary nutrients
  • Skin will be able to remove harmful toxins

Furthermore, regular sessions of cardio, yoga or any other type of exercise will help you maintain a healthy weight. In turn, fat storage will be slowed, and your skin won’t have to stretch farther than necessary.

4. Exfoliate and Moisturize Every Day.
Enough good things can’t be said about exfoliating. Gently massaging your skin with a microdermabrasion sponge and exfoliating body cleanser will get rid of dead cells on the surface and promote the growth of new skin cells.

To the naked eye, the end result is glowing, smooth skin. Your skin is reaping many more benefits, though, such as a constant boost of cell regeneration and collagen supplies – two of the most important things in preventing stretch marks.

Applying a hydrating cream or oil after exfoliation will absorb into your fresh, new skin layer, aid in hydration, and further help keep stretch marks at bay.

A Breakthrough Stretch Mark Oil that Combines Safe, Proven Ingredients in a Comprehensive Approach

A first of its kind, ReTone Body Oil contains Gotu Kola – giving your skin incredible support to prevent or reduce scars and stretch marks using natural and safe ingredients.

Its powerful components make it extremely effective while avoiding the use of fillers or artificial colors.

In addition to Gotu Kola, ReTone’s Body Oil includes Argan Oil, Tamanu Oil, Rosehip Oil, Vitamin E, Vitamin C, Jojoba Oil, and Avocado Oil, all of which help your skin stay hydrated, receive necessary nutrients, achieve a more even tone, fight aging, and increase elasticity.

Prevent and heal your stretch marks the natural way by extracting the benefits of the most effective pregnancy stretch mark oil.

Try ReTone Body Oil

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Pregnancy & Your Skin: A Guide to Your Most Radiant Skin

By understanding all your skin is going through and how you can achieve healthy, vibrant skin at any gestational or postpartum stage, you can truly elevate your pregnancy glow and – most importantly – embrace every beautiful change to your body.

In our packed pregnancy and your skin guide, we help you navigate the intricacies of your skin during pregnancy and discuss how you can give your skin unrivaled support to flourish the natural and safe way.

Download Our Pregnancy & Your Skin Guide

body oils to treat conditions such as stretch marks, scars, and wrinkles

Why Body Oil is Your Best Choice to Prevent Stretch Marks During Pregnancy

Why Body Oil is Your Best Choice to Prevent Stretch Marks During Pregnancy

Pregnancy – and the beautiful physical changes it entails – can be simultaneously exciting and overwhelming, regardless if it’s your first pregnancy or third.

How will you feel? When will you start to show? When will your sleep start to suffer? When do stretch marks start in pregnancy? Will you get stretch marks?

While the transformation your body endures for nine months is largely out of your control, stretch marks don’t have to be.

Undoubtedly, you’ve been doing your research. You’ve maybe even tried a few stretch mark products already. Have you used body oil yet?

If you’re looking for a safe and powerful solution – that not only helps prevent and reduce pregnancy stretch marks, but also delivers a comprehensive skincare solution throughout the entire pregnancy – it’s time you tried body oil.

How to Prevent Stretch Marks During Pregnancy with Body Oil

Growing increasingly popular with pregnant women, certain body oils have helped avoid stretch marks during pregnancy while delivering a wealth of other benefits. Keep reading to learn all about body oil and the ingredients that make all the difference in selecting body oil products.

What is stretch mark body oil?

An effective alternative and more multifaceted product than lotions and moisturizers, body oil is a robust, hydrating stretch mark preventative that combines essential oils, vitamins, and other substances – such as herbs – to penetrate the surface of the skin and support elasticity, strength, and firmness.

Why is body oil so effective?

With approximately 90% of women forming stretch marks while pregnant, especially after the sixth or seventh month of pregnancy, a way (that actually delivers results) to prevent or reduce the appearance of these almost inevitable lines is highly sought after.

Body oil is a natural skin moisturizer that has been used across the world for thousands of years. Because oils are able to deliver and hold moisture better than other skin care products, it’s an exceptional vehicle for keeping your skin soft and supple.

Additionally, body oil is rich with antioxidants and other advantageous ingredients that are essential and can make all the difference in preventing stretch marks or jump starting the rejuvenation process.

ReTone body oil diagram showing how ingredients such as essential oils, vitamins and gotu kola affect the skin

What to Look for in a Body Oil

The effectiveness and safety of any stretch mark solution is in the ingredients. Unfortunately, not all stretch mark products are created equally effective – which leaves some women searching far and wide for the product that will work for them.

If you’re trying body oil for the first time, it’s imperative you know what ingredients you’re using. If you’ve already tried body oil and didn’t get the results you were hoping for, the product you used probably didn’t have the right combination of ingredients.

Look for these key body oil ingredients:

  • Tamanu Oil – Effective at accelerating the skin’s healing and regeneration process.
  • Rosehip Oil – Known to enhance the skin’s complexion while simultaneously creating a healthy barrier against environmental stressors.
  • Vitamins C & E – When combined, these vitamins create a powerful antioxidant duo that help retain moisture and increase collagen production.
  • Jojoba Oil – A major supporter of the skin’s overall equilibrium, jojoba helps skin maintain an appropriate oil balance.
  • Argan Oil – A do-it-all-oil, argan oil helps protect, heal, moisturize, fight aging, and much more.
  • Gotu KolaOne of the most underutilized but exceedingly powerful ingredients, gotu kola has some of the most amazing skin rejuvenating properties. This herb is proven to boost antioxidant activity, support collagen production, increase blood circulation, and prevent swelling.

As if that’s not enough, gotu kola is nicknamed “tiger’s herb” because it has been said that injured tigers rub against the herb to heal their wounds.

Additionally, the most comprehensive stretch mark body oils are also:

  • Mineral Oil Free
  • Non-Greasy
  • Quick in Absorption
  • Artificial Coloring Free

 

Prevent Stretch Marks During Pregnancy with Body Oil Infused with Gotu Kola

A breakthrough in not only the body oil skin care category, but also in the entire spectrum of stretch mark prevention and reduction solutions, ReTone offers the first pregnancy stretch mark oil with Gotu Kola.

Proven to prevent pregnancy stretch marks while also helping your skin fight aging and maintaining a youthful glow, ReTone Body Oil was made with your utmost safety in mind. Composed of naturally occurring substances, and never containing any artificial coloring, ReTone Body Oil is your best choice to prevent stretch marks during pregnancy.

Prevent stretch marks during pregnancy the effective and natural way. If you are not completely satisfied with our product, we offer a 60-day money back guarantee.

Try ReTone Body Oil

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Your Complete Guide to Stretch Marks & Skin Changes During Pregnancy

While stretch marks are the predominant skin change many associate with pregnancy, there is so much more happening to your dermis during these incredible nine months and into the postpartum stage.

To achieve your desired skin during and after pregnancy, it’s important to understand all your skin is really going through, the common skin changes you may experience, and how to best nurture your skin to help it remain beautiful and healthy.

Download Our Pregnancy & Your Skin Guide

stretch marks

Preventing and Treating Stretch Marks on Arms & Thighs

Preventing and Treating Stretch Marks on Arms & Thighs

To many, stretch marks are almost synonymous with pregnancy. But stretch marks can form on any body – regardless of sex – given the right circumstances.

Whether you’re a bodybuilder, weightlifter, just went through puberty, pregnant, or you recently lost or gained a considerable amount of weight, it’s normal – albeit unwanted – for your body to develop stretch marks – and often in unexpected places, such as the arms and thighs.

Fortunately, stretch marks don’t have to be the end all to healthy, smooth looking skin. If you’re wondering how to get rid of stretch marks on your thighs or under your arms, read on to learn about effective treatment and prevention methods for these stubborn, undesired marks.

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What Causes Stretch Marks on the Arms & Thighs?

Any stretch mark that is formed during periods of fast body expansion or reduction is the result of the body transforming faster than the skin can adjust.

When areas of the body experience rapid growth, the subcutaneous tissues are pulled extremely tight, causing skin tissue to tear. Once this occurs, scars begin to form and stretch marks can become visible.

During a rapid weight loss journey, stretch marks can form for several different reasons, but the main is from losing more than two pounds of weight a week. When this happens, the body releases hormones that interrupt the skin’s collagen production. With a low amount of collagen and elastin, the skin’s support structure is weakened – giving way to the formation of stretch marks.

Stretch Marks on Thighs

stretch marks on woman's stomach and thighs

During weight or muscle gain, the inside of your thighs are actually very common places for stretch marks to form. Near the knee is another unexpected but typical location for stretch marks.

The inner thigh is an area where some individuals easily gain weight – depending on genetics and one’s physique before weight or muscle gain. If your weight gain is more prevalent on the thighs, then there’s a higher chance of you forming stretch marks on your thighs.

Stretch Marks on Arms

stretch marks on male arm

Some women get upper arm stretch marks as early as puberty, as it’s common for them to form during this time. It’s also very normal – often times expected – for stretch marks to form in this area during periods of rapid weight or muscle gain – especially for weightlifters and bodybuilders.

For pregnant women, there’s a lot of growth happening in and around the breasts in preparation for a baby. When the upper arm area expands faster than the layers of skin, stretch marks are almost always inevitable.

How to Get Rid of Stretch Marks on the Thighs & Upper Arms

Understandably, you’re way more concerned with how to prevent or get rid of stretch marks under your arms or on your thighs than you are with why they formed. And we don’t blame you.

Here are the most popular ways to fade stretch marks on thighs and arms:

Home Remedies

Home remedies are popular techniques to try. However, their effectiveness will vary greatly from person to person. It’s a true trial and error process to find the natural solution that works best for you.

With the multitude of home remedy techniques – such as natural oils, honey scrubs, aloe vera, baking soda and lime, and many more – where do you start? If you’re serious about wanting to try a natural solution, take a look at our review of seven home remedy techniques.

Stretch Mark Lotions and Moisturizers

Any source you read about the prevention and treatment of stretch marks will reiterate one important strategy: hydration.

Moisturizers and lotions – such as collagen- and elastin-containing lotion, cocoa butter, shea butter – are great sources of hydration for the skin.

The downside to these well-known products is they lack several key ingredients necessary to truly penetrate the skin and heal damaged cells. In turn, there may not be a noticeable reduction in the size, shape or color of stretch marks.

Cosmetic Procedure or Surgery

Professionally performed medical procedures like microdermabrasion, laser treatment and abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) can be very effective in removing stretch marks. They can also be fairly expensive and result in multiple treatments and a painful recovery process.

Skin Rejuvenating Stretch Mark Therapy

Becoming an increasingly popular method, comprehensive stretch mark therapy has been noted as an easy but powerful two-step process that is effective at significantly reducing the appearance of even the most stubborn of stretch marks.

With stretch marks, the real damage is under the surface of the skin. This is why products that only target the surface of the skin are ineffective. Stretch mark therapy focuses on prepping the skin by first exfoliating to remove dead skin cells. From there, a powerful cream is applied and reaches damaged skin tissue to support the regeneration of healthy skin.

A Proven Stretch Mark Cream for Your Thighs, Arms & Everywhere Else

Providing an answer to the question, “How do I get rid of stretch marks on thighs and under arms?”, ReTone’s Stretch Mark Therapy Kit contains a system of ingredients that significantly reduce the size and color of stretch marks.

While stretch marks can be persistent, this stretch mark kit delivers a simple and straightforward process that is easily integrated into everyday routines.

Above all, the combination of powerful, proven, and, most of all, safe, ingredients, will give anyone the confidence to reduce the appearance of their stretch marks the healthy, natural way and still achieve optimal results.

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stretch mark therapy kit to remove stretch marks after pregnancy

Here’s How to Get the Most Out of Your Stretch Mark Cream After Pregnancy

Here’s How to Get the Most Out of Your Stretch Mark Cream After Pregnancy

For most women, smooth, supple skin doesn’t always come easy. To achieve one’s desired skin tone and appearance, moisturizers, lotions, oils and other creams are frequently used.

In fact, did you know, according to a study published in the New York Post, women spend an average of $49 per month on creams/lotions/moisturizers/anti-aging products?

Over time, this can significantly add up.

With the amount you invest in skincare products, you undoubtedly want to get the most out of them – especially before and after pregnancy when your skin is the most vulnerable to change and stretch marks.

There are easy ways you can make the most of your stretch mark cream. Keep reading to discover the best ways to apply your stretch mark cream so you reap the benefits of beautiful, healthy skin.

How to Get Rid of Pregnancy Stretch Marks: 5 Tips to Maximize the Benefits of Your Stretch Mark Cream After Pregnancy

1. Exfoliate First

In order for your stretch mark cream to absorb into the skin, dead cells on the surface of the skin need to be removed. When you gently massage an exfoliant into your skin, or over existing stretch marks, dead skin cells will become loose and wash away.

Exfoliating is so crucial for the maintenance and appearance of healthy skin. The exfoliation process improves your skin’s texture, clarity, firmness and elasticity by naturally promoting new skin growth.

2. Rinse with Warm Water

The temperature of your shower can help boost the effectiveness of your stretch mark cream, as well.

A shower that is too hot can irritate and hurt the skin. A shower that is too cold will not stimulate the right blood vessels and pores. However, showering under lukewarm water helps slightly raise your skin’s temperature. When this happens, your blood vessels and pores dilate to help cool your core body temperature.

With these entities dilated, absorption is significantly increased – empowering your stretch mark cream to reach the necessary cells faster and be more effective overall.

3. Apply Right After You Shower

When it comes to applying your stretch mark cream, there is an optimal time that your skin will absorb the most product.

Applying to damp skin has been shown to be the most advantageous time to administer your stretch mark cream. Why? Damp, just-washed and exfoliated skin that has been gently towel-dried to remove excess water is able to lock in the most amount of moisture.

4. Use the Appropriate Amount

There is no hard-and-fast rule for how much stretch mark cream you should use, as serving size depends on each woman’s skin type and unique skin needs. Generally speaking, you’ll know if you’re applying the right amount to your skin if you can rub it all in evenly.

If the stretch mark cream will not completely absorb, leaving your skin feeling goopy, then you’ll know you applied too much. To avoid wasting your cream in this way, start by applying a small amount and use more as you see fit.

5. Choose the Most Effective Stretch Mark Cream

If you’re wondering how to get rid of pregnancy stretch marks and are serious about getting the most out of your stretch mark cream after pregnancy, it’s important that you’re using a product that was formulated with the most effective ingredients.

If you already have a product you use, or you’re about to invest in stretch mark cream for the first time, you need to know what it’s made of. The right combination of ingredients – in conjunction with the above four tips – can make all the difference in preventing or getting rid of stretch marks after pregnancy.

These safe, proven ingredients deliver ultimate results in reducing the size and color of stretch marks:

  • Glycolic Acid – a naturally occurring substance that is referred to as the holy grail for exfoliation because of the wide range of benefits its provides for your skin
  • Hyaluronic Acid – a naturally occurring molecule that is known for its capacity to draw and hold moisture.
  • Matrixyl 3000 Protein Complex – an anti-wrinkle formula that supports the skin’s metabolism.
  • Allantoin – an organic substance that encourages skin to shed dead cells, grow new ones, and lock in moisture.
  • Centella Asiatica – a perennial herb that speeds up wound healing.
  • CoQ10 – a substance that helps produce energy for growth and maintenance, prevents damage to collagen molecules, and preserves the elasticity of your skin.

Does your cream have these powerful ingredients?

A 2-Step Stretch Mark Therapy Kit that Combines Proven Ingredients in a Comprehensive Approach

Delivering a common-sense approach that works with the natural renewal process of your skin, ReTone’s Stretch Mark Therapy Kit is a powerful, proven product for women who want to prevent or get rid of pregnancy stretch marks.

ReTone was brought to life by a post-pregnancy mother of two who could not find a product that met her needs – despite her efforts to maximize the benefits.

A simple, straightforward, and all-encompassing method to tackle even the most stubborn stretch marks, ReTone diminishes the appearance of stretch marks by:

  • Combining safe, key ingredients
  • Using a comprehensive two-step process: 1. Exfoliate 2. Apply stretch mark fading cream
  • Hydrating and supporting the regeneration of healthy skin

Users typically see results in as little as 60 days. It’s time you saw your own results.

Try (or reorder) the ReTone Therapy Kit

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Getting Rid of Stretch Marks After Pregnancy: A Review of Home Remedies

Getting Rid of Stretch Marks After Pregnancy: A Review of Home Remedies

The female body is truly a marvel. It is strong, elegant, and relentless. It can sustain, persevere, and push past preconceived limits. Above all, it is the ultimate vessel to the miracle of life.

While every life experience leaves its mark, pregnancy can completely transform a woman; her body bearing most of the weight of change. In turn, stretch marks tend to appear on the stomach, breasts, thighs, obliques, and other areas, leaving women searching for the best way to reduce the appearance of stretch marks after pregnancy.

Home remedies are one of the most popular avenues women turn to first. Some remedies work, others don’t, as effectiveness can largely vary from woman to woman.

If you’re postpartum and wondering how to get rid of stretch marks after pregnancy naturally, take a look at our review of seven home remedies:

1. Natural Oils
There’s a lot of information surrounding oils – especially carrier oils and essential oils – when it comes to reducing the appearance of or preventing stretch marks.

Carrier oils are derived from seeds, kernels, nuts and are odorless.

Carrier oils to try:

  • Coconut Oil
  • Canola Oil
  • Argan Oil
  • Almond Oil
  • Jojoba Oil
  • Mustard Oil

Essential oils are aromatic (evaporate rapidly and contain the natural smell and characteristics of the plant) distilled oils extracted from plants and must be diluted with a carrier oil.

Essential oils to try:

  • Rosehip Oil
  • Avocado Oil
  • Tamanu Oil
  • Evening Primrose Oil
  • Hemp Seed Oil
  • Lavender Oil

Since essential oils are too strong to apply undiluted, carrier oils help dilute any essential oil (without compromising its therapeutic qualities) and promote an effective application.

2. Honey Scrub
The mixture of honey, sugar and lemon can create a natural stretch mark treatment.

Honey is a natural moisturizer. Manuka honey in particular is antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and antiseptic. The vitamin C in the honey helps reduce inflammation and regenerates skin tissue.

The tiny beads of sugar act as a gentle exfoliant.

Lemon promotes the production of new collagen (from the vitamin C) and lightening of the stretch marks (from the citric acid).

Recipes for this scrub vary, with some calling for a fourth ingredient of olive oil.

3. Aloe Vera
Aloe Vera contains essential nutrients that act as superior skin soothing compounds. With consistent use, aloe Vera can help repair the skin’s damaged collagen fibers and lessen the appearance of stretch marks.

It is recommended to use an aloe Vera leaf or fresh gel – opposed to aloe Vera found at the store – as they are the most organic versions of the plant.

4. Egg Whites
The high levels of protein and enzymes found in egg whites can revitalize damaged dermis (top layer of the skin), increase elasticity, and promote fresh, healthy looking skin.

It is recommended to separate one to two egg whites and lightly beat them together. With a pastry brush, apply the egg whites to the stretch mark-damaged skin. Once it has air dried, it is best to rinse the skin with cool water and moisturize with lotion.

5. Baking Soda and Lime
You may be surprised to learn that baking soda can act as a natural skin exfoliator. Combined with lime juice (some prefer lemon juice), the mixture possesses a natural skin bleaching property from the citric acid. With consistent use, stretch marks have been said to fade over time.

Most recipes call for one teaspoon of each and to let the mixture dry on the damaged skin for 10-15 minutes. To remove, use a gentle, circular scrubbing motion and rinse any excess with water.

6. Apple Cider Vinegar
The acetic and malic acid found in apple cider vinegar (ACV) has been said to breakdown scar tissue and reduce the appearance of stretch marks.*

It is recommended to spray ACV on stretch marks every night before bed, and to wash skin every morning. For any skin type, ACV can make skin dry, so it’s important to moisturize every morning as well.

*It’s important to note that ACV is not the best route for sensitive skin. It can cause irritation, redness and swelling.

7. Dry Brushing
Moving a body brush with soft, natural bristles, in a circular motion on stretch marks can promote blood and lymph circulation. With this activity, the appropriate amount of nutrients can reach the stretch marks to stimulate healing. Dry brushing can also thoroughly exfoliate the damaged area, removing dead skin cells and prompting new skin growth.

*Dry brushing must be done with absolute tenderness, as skin with stretch marks is already very sensitive and irritated.

If Home Remedies Don’t Prove Effective for You

Why Home Remedies Don’t Always Work

If you try one or all of these home remedies and the appearance of your stretch marks are showing little to no improvement, don’t throw in the towel just yet.

You may find it comforting to know that most home remedies have never been proven to remove or fade stretch marks in clinical studies.

Since stretch marks develop after the skin’s elastin and collagen have ruptured, the damage is really under the skin’s surface.

Most home remedies – and moisturizers and creams, like shea and cocoa butter – only target the skin’s surface. Without penetrating and reaching the damaged skin tissue, stretch marks will not fade.

There is a comprehensive stretch mark treatment that embodies naturally occurring substances proven to safely exfoliate and permeate damaged skin tissue, supporting the formation of healthy, beautiful skin.

A Breakthrough Stretch Mark Cream After Delivery to Reduce the Appearance of Stretch Marks

As the first two-step method successfully reducing the appearance of stretch marks, ReTone Stretch Mark Therapy Kit delivers quick results without the exposure to retinoids, parabens, and phthalates. Exfoliation followed by application of the specially formulated cream supports the natural regeneration of collagen and elastin. This results in thicker and less translucent skin, visibly reducing the appearance of stretch marks and scars.

The ReTone Stretch Mark Therapy Kit started as an idea from a post-pregnancy mother of two who tried products and home remedies and still had stretch marks.

If you’re ready to see real results, discover ReTone’s simple and straightforward process.

Try ReTone Stretch Mark Therapy Kit

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retone stretch mark therapy kit helps to reduce stretch marks after pregnancy

How to Fade Stretch Marks After Pregnancy: Taking Care of Your Skin

How to Fade Stretch Marks After Pregnancy: Taking Care of Your Skin

Just about every mom will tell you that their pregnancy resulted in lack of sleep, endless diaper changes and an overwhelming amount of joy.

What most won’t tell you, even though 90% of women experience them, is that pregnancy also results in stretch marks.* The average woman gains 30 pounds over the course of her 9-month pregnancy, and her skin just simply cannot keep up with the growth. As her body is changing to carry the baby, stretch marks can form on her abdomen, breasts, thighs, buttocks and arms.

Factors Affecting the Severity of Stretch Marks from Pregnancy

There are several factors that will affect the location, color, shape and size of your pregnancy stretch marks. These include:

Genetics. If your mother had stretch marks from pregnancy, then you’re more likely to have them as well.

Baby. Naturally, a larger baby requires more room, so women with larger children or multiple children may have abdomens that expand more than normal. The amount of amniotic fluid surrounding your baby can also affect how much your abdomen expands.

Skin Color. Your complexion can affect the color of your stretch marks. They may be more or less noticeable depending on the pigmentation in your skin and how much sun exposure you get.

How to Fade Stretch Marks After Pregnancy

Regardless of how or where you got them, your greatest concern is probably how to get rid of them. Stretch marks that start out pink, red or purple, will eventually fade to white or light gray over the next 6 – 12 months. And, for some women, the reduction in color alone is enough to regain confidence.

Yet, every mom has different expectations for their body and will want to deal with stretch marks differently. Below, we briefly discuss a few of the options available to you.

Home Remedies

While many mom’s try home remedies such as lemon juice, honey or essential oils, most researchers agree that these methods do not yield results.

Topical Creams

Heavy Moisturizers

Heavy moisturizers, such as cocoa butter or shea butter can help to improve the appearance of your stretch marks, but cannot actually help to reduce them.These products are more helpful in soothing the dry, itchy skin.

Stretch Mark Creams & Oils

When you look more closely, most stretch mark creams largest ingredient is a heavy moisturizer, such as cocoa or shea butter. These creams help to improve the appearance of stretch marks by keeping the skin well-hydrated, but do not actually change the size, shape or color of the mark because they’re lacking important ingredients that can be found in more comprehensive stretch mark therapies.

Microdermabrasion

Microdermabrasion can be scheduled with a dermatologist or esthetician, or can be completed with an over-the-counter kit from your local health and beauty store. Microdermabrasion removes your top layer of skin and stimulate collagen production to promote growth of new, healthier skin cells.

This is an expensive and time-consuming process. The average microdermabrasion treatment costs between $150 and $400 dollars, and you may have to schedule multiple treatments before you see results.

Laser Treatment

Laser treatments can be scheduled with a dermatologist or cosmetic surgeon. Laser treatments stimulate collagen and elastin production, promoting growth of new, healthier skin cells.

While laser treatments can be effective in reducing the appearance of stretch marks, they can also require a lot of time and money. The type and cost of laser treatment depends on a variety of factors including the location and age of your stretch marks, but the average total is between $5,000 and $10,000.*

Surgery

Cosmetic surgery can be scheduled with a dermatologic surgeon. Similar to a tummy tuck, the process usually involves cutting away the stretch marked skin. The average cost of this procedure is $5,000 and is not covered by insurance.*

Comprehensive Stretch Mark Therapy

Comprehensive stretch mark therapy can provide optimal results without the painful or expensive laser treatments and surgery.

Combining the right ingredients, and targeting the layer of skin where the stretch marks form can effectively reduce the appearance of stretch marks. This is exactly the method behind the ReTone Stretch Mark Therapy Kit. The kit includes an exfoliating body scrub which removes your top layer of dead skin cells. The stretch mark cream can then be applied directly to your freshest layer of skin, and more effectively target your stretch marks. Users of the ReTone Stretch Mark Therapy Kit have remarked that it’s so easy to use, and typically see results in as little as 60 days.

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Ready to Try a Stretch Mark Cream To Care For Your Post-Pregnancy Skin?

Not only does the ReTone Stretch Mark Therapy Kit reduce the appearance of your stretch marks, but also it hydrates and rejuvenates the surrounding skin. Even after your stretch marks have faded, you can continue to use the lightly apricot scented exfoliant to improve the look and feel of other areas of your skin.

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