Pregnancy often changes a woman's taste preferences. Some products cannot be consumed for medical reasons, because... they can harm the baby. Due to the processes occurring in her body, a woman simply rejects other products as causing toxicosis. We must always remember that a pregnant woman’s nutrition during this period should be complete and beneficial both for her and for the health of her child.
Particularly important in a woman’s diet is the consumption of fats, due to which the child’s brain is formed. Olive oil, a storehouse of healthy fats, vitamins and microelements, is ideally suited for this purpose.
Doctors and nutritionists unanimously say that of all the oils and fats, olive oil is the healthiest for a pregnant woman.
The beneficial effect of olive oil is due to its rich composition of polyunsaturated fatty acids, a whole complex of vitamins and microelements. Olive oil promotes longevity and is included in all Mediterranean dishes.
Protects the walls of the stomach from Helicobacter bacteria that cause ulcers. High-density lipoproteins can destroy bad blood cholesterol, destroying existing blood clots and preventing their new formations.
Saturates the body of mother and child with all the necessary substances and strengthens their immunity, promotes the development of the baby’s brain and strong nervous system.
When taken orally on an empty stomach, it can solve the following problems:
- Effective against constipation, improves regular and clear bowel function.
- Significantly reduces the risk of toxicosis.
- Helps increase the elasticity of the uterus and facilitate labor.
It is recommended to take orally on an empty stomach as follows. In the morning, immediately after waking up, drink one tablespoon of oil on an empty stomach, half an hour before breakfast. You can wash down the oil with a small amount of still mineral water, at room temperature.
But external use has practically no contraindications, so every woman with the help of olive oil can solve the main cosmetic problem that arises during pregnancy - stretch marks , or they are also called stretch marks... This does not sound very good. It also looks unattractive. Probably many have seen them on women sunbathing on the beaches. Long stripes along the body, usually on the stomach, hips, and chest area, which cannot be hidden under a swimsuit.
Is olive oil effective for stretch marks during pregnancy?
Olive oil is a healthy food product. But how useful is it for external use, especially for removing stretch marks? To understand whether it will help in the fight against stretch marks, you should understand how unsightly stripes arise.
Stretch marks are scar changes in the skin that occur as a result of overstretching. The body of a pregnant woman increases in size, and the load on connective tissue fibers increases. Collagen, which is responsible for the elasticity of the dermis, begins to deplete and break. During healing, the sites of ruptures are replaced by connective tissue, which leads to the appearance of scars.
Olive oil consists of 21% linoleic acid, which normalizes metabolic processes and strengthens cell membranes. The pomace contains phosphatides involved in regeneration processes. Using oil for “fresh” stretch marks helps prevent their further spread and reduce their severity. Another important component of the oil is tocopherol (vitamin E). It has a powerful antioxidant effect and strengthens dermal fibers.
Additional recommendations for pregnant women
You can use olive oil as an external remedy during pregnancy without fear; there are no contraindications.
During the prenatal period, this natural product should be taken not only as a cosmetic product; it also has obvious benefits when included in the diet. It must be added to food, as olive oil promotes:
- Delivery of omega-3 fatty acids to the body, necessary for the formation of the nervous system of the unborn baby
- Supplying a large amount of vitamins (E, D, K), which are beneficial for bones and skin and mother and fetus
- Normalization of intestinal function
- Eliminate the threat of constipation
- Has a slight laxative effect (1 teaspoon of oil per day on an empty stomach)
- Reduces appetite, which means it protects against overeating and adding excess weight
- In addition, olive oil has a persistent effect against oxidation, so it can retain vitamin E in its composition for a long time, and it, in turn, protects against the threat of miscarriage.
- Early use of the oil tones the muscles, thereby facilitating the dilatation of the cervix during childbirth.
As already mentioned above, for the purpose of prevention, you should start treating the skin with olive oil even before the onset of pregnancy, or at its earliest stages, when intensive changes have not yet begun in the body. Thus, the development of stretch marks is prevented without much effort.
When using the oil internally, you should be careful only if the pregnant woman suffers from cholelithiasis, because this natural product has a choleretic effect.
But in general, olive oil is absolutely harmless and does not cause allergic reactions.
How does olive oil work on stretch marks?
The natural product attracts primarily with its safety. The oil has long been known for its beneficial properties and is widely used not only in cosmetology, but also in medicine as a medicine, especially for the treatment of dermatological pathologies.
Be sure to read:
How to remove stretch marks on the thighs: what causes stretch marks, the most effective ways to combat them
When working on problem areas, the oil has a complex effect:
- protects cells from oxidation, preventing the destruction of connective tissue fibers;
- provides a sufficient level of hydration, increasing the protective barrier of the dermis and preventing the development of inflammatory processes;
- Magnesium contained in the composition reduces collagen degradation;
- has an antithrombotic effect, reduces tissue granulation processes;
- stimulates regeneration without hyperplasia;
- increases the strength of the epidermis.
After using the fruit squeeze of a subtropical plant, the skin becomes smooth and more elastic.
Clinical researches
The effectiveness, safety and tolerability of products for children and adults has been proven by clinical studies. The products are also suitable for daily skin care of children with mild to moderate forms of atopic dermatitis (including the period of remission), accompanied by a decrease in the quality of life of patients. As a result of therapy, a decrease in the activity of the inflammatory process, a decrease in dryness, itching and flaking was noted.
La-Cri cosmetics, according to research results, are recommended by the Russian Union of Pediatricians. All products are approved for use in pregnant women. The safety of “La-Cri” is confirmed by research by scientists from the AILC of the Federal State Institution “R.R. Vreden Russian Research Institute of Traumatology and Orthopedics” and numerous government certificates.
Olive oil for stretch marks during pregnancy: how to use
Olive oil is healthy provided it is of high quality. You need to use virgin oil. It has high oxidative stability and contains more endogenous antioxidants and other minor products beneficial to the dermis.
To achieve good results, it is necessary to use the product at the initial stages of the appearance of stretch marks. In addition, you need to use the product daily for at least 3 months. It can be used as an independent product or as part of various mixtures.
Good results in the fight against stretch marks can be achieved by following simple rules for using olive squeeze:
- Before using squeeze-based formulations, the skin should be prepared. The dermis is steamed and soft peeling is done. This will ensure better penetration of nutrients.
- The compositions are applied with massage movements to the scar strips themselves and the area around them. This will avoid further “spreading” of the stretch marks.
- If the oil is used as an independent remedy, it should be applied 2 times a day. If the product is used in combination with other components, the frequency of use depends on the additional ingredients.
- They try to use freshly prepared formulations; during storage, most ingredients lose their beneficial properties.
During pregnancy, olive oil can be used not only externally, but also internally. It saturates the body with essential microelements, prevents constipation, and reduces cholesterol levels.
Be sure to read:
Bio oil for stretch marks: how to quickly get rid of stretch marks, composition, how to use, prevention
Consumer Reviews
Natalya (wildberries.ru)
“The oil is pleasant to the body, absorbs quickly, leaving the skin moisturized. It smells like some kind of herbs, like medicinal ones, but it’s okay.”
Anna (wildberries.ru)
It arrived well packaged, nothing leaked anywhere. The belly stopped itching after a week of use, apparently the moisturizing worked. Some may not like the smell - it is harsh, a little reminiscent of an asterisk and Pentalgin ointment. But I liked it. It is not absorbed instantly, so I only apply it in the evening.
The pump is a little tight. In principle, I am satisfied with the ratio of price - quality - naturalness and volume."
Sources:
- Schneiderman Paul, Grossman Mark, Differential diagnosis in dermatology. Atlas, Binom, 2021.
- Yagodka Valentina Stepanovna, Medicinal plants in dermatology and cosmetology, Naukova Dumka publishing house, 1991.
- Molochkova Yulia Vladimirovna, Dermatology. Brief reference book, GEOTAR-Media, 2021.
What to combine with olive oil for stretch marks: 5 best recipes
The squeeze of the subtropical tree combines well with a wide variety of substances, which has allowed women to come up with a lot of recipes for stretch marks.
Universal, easy-to-prepare products are popular:
- Oil mixture. In a container, combine olive, shea and coconut oils in equal parts, add 4-5 drops of tea tree oil. The composition is applied with massage movements to the stomach, thighs, and chest. Wash off after half an hour.
- Scrub . Coffee (not instant) is poured with hot water and immediately filtered. A small amount of cold-pressed product is added to the grounds to obtain a thick consistency. Rub the mixture onto the stretch marks for 5 minutes, then wash off. The procedure is repeated every other day.
- Composition with aloe. Remove the skin from freshly cut aloe leaves and mash the pulp with a spoon. 1-2 tbsp. l. pulp mixed with tsp. refuse. The mixture is rubbed into scar strips, left for 20-30 minutes, then washed off.
- Moisturizing mask. Wheat sprouts (tbsp) are mixed with the same amount of chopped avocado pulp. Add 1.5 tbsp. l. olive pomace. The resulting mass is applied to problem areas in an even layer, after 20 minutes it is washed off with warm water.
- Multi-component mask for old stretch marks. Mix tbsp. l. any zest from tbsp. l. sour cream, honey and cosmetic clay, add 2 tsp. olive oil. The mixture is used to treat areas with stretch marks and wash off after 15 minutes.
Recipes can be alternated, but the course must be at least 10 procedures.
This is the result
This difficult procedure will give positive changes to the skin in 1.5-2 months. If you pay attention to the period when the skin was damaged, this is not exactly a long period.
But the impatient can resort to plastic surgery. Of course, it will give immediate results, for this you just need to pay a round sum and sleep. But this method, as many people know, is not harmless. Having once put themselves under the knife for the sake of beauty, everyone who goes through this risks becoming regular clients of this industry. Fillers that are found require constant change. And even the presence of such an element in the body is detrimental to health. Moreover, such a beautiful result will only lead to early aging of not only the skin, but the entire internal system.
Preventing stretch marks with olive oil
The best way to combat stretch marks is prevention.
Measures should be taken from the first weeks of pregnancy.
- After showering, apply a small amount of product to your stomach and chest.
- Do self-massage daily. Places where scar stripes most often occur are rubbed with a soft towel. Apply the oil and distribute it with pinching movements.
Be sure to read:
How to remove stretch marks on the chest at home: the best methods and remedies
Women with a genetic predisposition to obesity and stretch marks should use the oil for prevention.
Contraindications
Some women drink olive oil on an empty stomach. This should be done with caution for those who have cholelithiasis (cholelithiasis), since the product is considered a strong choleretic agent.
The use of the product on the dermis has no contraindications. The only exception is if you are allergic to olive components.
It is quite simple to verify the presence or absence of an allergy - drop a few drops of the product on the inside of your wrist. If after an hour or an hour and a half, no redness appears on the skin and there is no itching, then you can apply the oil without fear!
Olive and its beneficial properties
Olive is an evergreen tree. It became popular thanks to its fruits. Olives contain a number of useful substances, including folic acid, monounsaturated fatty acids, riboflavin, a number of trace elements, thiamine, pyridoxine, oleuropein.
The components in the composition have a protective, antioxidant, anticancer, and anti-inflammatory effect. Olives contain about 50% fat, pectin, proteins, vitamins, and fiber.
Consumption of the product has a positive effect on health. It is used for diabetes, atherosclerosis, arthritis, high blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Regular consumption of the product slows down the aging process of the body.
Olive is also used in cosmetology. Its extract is included in many cosmetic products. The oil retains moisture in the skin, softens and nourishes, increases its firmness and elasticity.
Alternative
However, sometimes a situation may arise when olive oil for some reason is not suitable for the expectant mother - for example, it causes an allergic reaction in her.
In this case, do not be upset. You can use an alternative remedy - sunflower oil.
If natural herbal remedies are also contraindicated for a pregnant woman, the modern pharmaceutical market offers a huge selection of cosmetics. Among them, the most popular are creams for stretch marks from the following brands:
- Vichy.
- Chicco.
- Veleda.
However, it should be remembered that although these ready-made cosmetics are easier to apply, absorb faster and smell better, there is still no worthy alternative to natural olive oil.
