If you are like most women who have had the miracle of life in their bodies, you have terrible stretch marks from pregnancy and now you know that being pregnant is anything BUT the wonderful and magical experience that much of popular culture tends to to present. to be (well, except for the beautiful baby they give you, of course). If we take the baby out of the equation, it’s an incredibly messy, exhausting and emotional affair. You have mood swings, you crave the weirdest and most inedible things, you have morning sickness and backaches, and to top it all off, all the hormonal and mood swings your body goes through almost guarantee you’ll get marks somewhere. in your body. Thus permanently turning summer into a fearsome season, and the selection of swimsuits into a considerable challenge.

During that nine-month period, a woman can have terrible pregnancy scars, especially since a woman’s belly can distend to twice its original circumference or more, and hormones that stimulate lactation can cause a woman’s breasts to swell. grow up to two cup sizes larger. . This may mean you’ll look great in a low-cut top for a while, but it comes at a price. Once a person’s belly and breasts return to their original size, the skin may not always fully recover.

the marks are essentially scars. When certain hormonal elements are at play, and when a person’s skin has passed its point of elasticity, the dermis, or the layer of skin between the epidermis – the outer surface – and the subcutaneous tissue – the layer of fat below the skin- can tear. . It doesn’t hurt and it doesn’t bleed, so if you’re the squeamish type, you don’t have to worry.

Aside from the unsightly, discolored lines that can appear in areas of the body where the skin may have had more flaking, the marks don’t really create any other health problems, and unless you intend to walk around naked all the time, brands are not really nothing to lose sleep over.

A person can be affected by marks in many different ways. Pregnancy isn’t the only reason people get marks. After all, even men can get marks. In addition to the terrible marks of pregnancy, the marks can be caused by obesity, growth spurts during puberty, and even rapid muscle growth.

So if you’re ever serious about pumping some iron, don’t forget to take a few steps to avoid marks. Eating foods that reduce marks, such as those that are high in zinc and vitamins E and C, can go a long way in preventing the dermis from tearing and causing marks.

The marks usually start out reddish-purple or some other darker color, but as time goes on, they may fade to a somewhat lighter color. The marks themselves are usually slightly indented and sink deeper than normal skin. They’re not exactly the prettiest things to have on your tummy, butt, or breasts when you want to show off all the baby weight you lost post-pregnancy.

Of course, a bikini isn’t the only clothing option for all new summer moms. The same can be said for people who have exercised and lost weight to have hot and steamy summer bodies, or children who have just grown.

There are many ways to hide marks. The most obvious way to do this is to cover them up with clothing, but for those times when people need to show a little skin, products like self-tanners and concealers can also work in a pinch. If you plan on having a little fun in the water and don’t want to worry about waterproof concealers, the question of how to hide marks remains relatively simple.

Tankinis and one-piece swimsuits are a great way to hide tummy tucks when you’re at the beach or pool. On the other hand, for people who have marks in areas that are a bit more difficult to hide, such as the upper arms and thighs, a colorful scarf or sarong can do wonders to cover them up, as well as liven up their outfit. beach

When you’re not on the beach, hiding marks is usually relatively easier. If you want to wear a miniskirt but don’t want people to see the stretch marks on your thighs, for example, you can still show off your legs by wearing opaque tights or leggings under your miniskirt. If tights and leggings aren’t your thing, wearing skirts that reach the knee or higher can ensure that people won’t see your stretch marks when you bend over.

There are many different ways to hide them. However, given all the options and methods you could employ, it is important to use your judgment and choose what is best for you and the terrible pregnancy marks that now call your body home.

I suggest you check out this guide on COMPLETELY ERASE stretch marks so you don’t have to deal with hiding them (since that’s probably not satisfying anyway).