For some of us, shaving our legs is part of our body care routine. This is the fastest and most affordable way to get rid of unwanted hair compared to alternatives like waxing or laser hair removal.but what about you actually Know how to shave properly?Spoiler alert: if you deal with itch, razor burn, ingrown hairsWith the Knicks, the answer is likely no. But luckily, there are plenty of expert-approved tips and tricks to help you get a smooth, irritation-free shave every time. Next, board-certified dermatologists Brendan Camp and Marisa Garshick detail how to shave your legs.

You may be familiar with the fact that stretch marks-or stretch marks If you want to sound scientific – very common during and after pregnancy. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with stretch marks, so don’t stress if you already have them. But if you’re looking to minimize them (or treat and fade the stretch marks you already have), we consulted a dermatologist and two ob-gyn doctors for all their best advice. Learn ahead of time everything you need to know about how to prevent stretch marks during pregnancy.

What are stretch marks?

According to the American Academy of Dermatology, stretch marks are scars that appear when the skin shrinks or stretches very quickly. You’re most likely to get stretch marks during a growth spurt, pregnancy, rapid weight loss or gain, or periods of rapid muscle growth, such as when weight training.

As for the science behind stretch marks, the skin contains proteins (called collagen and elastin) support it and allow it to stretch. But when the skin expands or stretches very quickly, these proteins break down and stretch marks appear.

When stretch marks pop up, the skin may appear thinner, or stretch marks may appear as sunken lines on the skin. Depending on your skin tone or how long you have had stretch marks, they can be red, purple, silver, white, dark gray or black. “In lighter skin, they’re usually red at first and gradually turn white or lighter, while in darker skin, they may start out very dark or hyperpigmented and gradually turn light brown,” says Get board-certified dermatologist says Tiffany clay,Medical PhD.

Why Stretch Marks Appear During Pregnancy

stretch marks are common Pregnant Due to a combination of fluctuating hormone levels, skin stretching, and genetics. They are most likely to appear in the third trimester, when the skin is at its tightest. “During pregnancy, the body produces higher levels of hormones, such as estrogen and progesterone, which weaken the skin’s elasticity and make it more prone to stretch marks,” explains the board-certified ob-gyn Tara Shiraz,Medical PhD. But that’s not all: “In addition, weight gain during pregnancy can lead to the development of stretch marks, especially in areas where the skin stretches most, such as the abdomen, breasts, buttocks, and thighs.”

According to the American Academy of Dermatology, stretch marks can be hereditary, so if someone in your family has them, you may also be at a higher risk for them.

Can You Prevent Stretch Marks?

There’s no way to 100 percent prevent stretch marks during pregnancy, but there are steps you can take to reduce their likelihood and minimize their appearance when they appear. “Stretch marks during pregnancy are difficult to impossible to prevent, as 50-90 percent of pregnant women report some form of stretch marks,” says board-certified ob-gyn Amy Waite,Medical PhD. “This is because other factors associated with stretch mark formation — including genetics, hormonal changes, skin type, and how the skin on your belly must stretch to make room for your growing baby — can affect whether stretch marks develop, or Make an impact on what. Stretch marks will show up.” Fortunately, you have a number of options to reduce the likelihood of stretch marks and minimize their appearance.

How to Prevent Stretch Marks During Pregnancy

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a new one punching Can be a great way to instantly upgrade your look, but it also requires commitment. Because you’ve opened a new hole in the body, you’ll have to clean it up and be careful with the surrounding area while it heals, which can take several months but varies by site and person.Whether you’re deciding how to use your ear view Or consider face and body options, where healing time can play a big role in your decision. Next, we spoke with three piercing experts and a dermatologist to learn about the nine fastest-healing piercings, along with timelines and more information about the sensitivity of each area.

Estimated perforation healing time

According to Perry Doig, professional piercer at Fiat Lux in San Francisco and member of the Association of Professional Piercers, most piercings can be broken down into several distinct healing times. For example, when it comes to ears, his rule of thumb is that piercings on the lobe take about three months, while the rest of the ear usually takes about six months. “The same goes for facial piercings, with a few exceptions,” he says, “septal piercings heal fastest around eight to ten weeks. Most lip piercings heal in about three months, while nostril (cartilage) takes about six.” moon.”

Lisa Bubbers, Studs co-founder and chief brand officer, noted that while baseline healing times are important, they don’t always go as planned. “Healing time is different for everyone,” she says, “depending on factors like your ear anatomy, piercing location, and post-operative care regimen.” If you’re getting a new piercing, be prepared for a variable healing period Prepare, and continue with the necessary aftercare until it looks and feels fully healed—cleaning it and being gentle around the area a little longer will only help.

Another factor that can complicate healing time is if you develop stabbing lump, keloids, or infection. Irritant bumps usually occur in the first few months, when the piercing is still sensitive. If you experience one of these situations, you need to be gentle, patient, and keep the area clean in order to get back on track. Keloid These are raised scars that appear after a wound has healed – far less common than you might think – and if you have a scar, you need to consult your piercer or medical professional because there are at-home and in-office remedies you can try.if you get a infected When you get a piercing, you’ll want to double down on cleaning and consider whether anything (such as jewelry material or lifestyle) is causing it, and if it looks particularly bad or won’t go away, consult a professional. All of these can prolong your recovery time, but the right aftercare can help prevent and resolve these issues—more on that later.

fastest healing piercing

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After receiving free samples from select brands, we put five skincare products to the test. Read on for a full comparison.

If I were a skincare I’d be a lipid load Moisturizer. Sure, serums can be sexy, eye creams can be decadent little waifs, and cleansers know how to get the job done—but moisturizers are the huggers. Using a good cream or balm is like calling a friend to debrief or relaxing at home with bare feet. Superlatives are, which is why I take slugging seriously, sealing my moisturizer with a sealer like Aquaphor.

From the wisdom of K-beauty, slam Taking over TikTok and our skincare routines. The concept is simply to apply a petroleum jelly-like product such as Aquaphor or petroleum jelly to your face, which helps prevent transepidermal water loss and keeps the skin hydrated. aquarium is the easily accessible, fan-favorite benchmark for this, but if you’re looking for a cosmetic adult version of this hero product, you have a few other options.

Wondering which occlusive products you should try? Read on for my full thoughts on five different aquaphor alternatives.

What is laziness?

“slam Is the process of applying a physical barrier to the skin. This concept has been around for many years and has recently seen renewed interest and popularity via social media,” explains Isabelle McLeod, a skin therapist and pore rejuvenator in San Francisco. “The idea is to use a petroleum-based product as a sealer. Your hydrating or specialty serum, traps these ingredients and drives them deeper into the skin, providing faster absorption and benefits. ”

Dozing off can be a dream for thirsty skin. “This is more popular on drier skin types, in colder climates, or during the dry winters that many of us are dealing with,” explains McLeod. “It’s also a great option for those who travel a lot. You want to be careful using this over your retinoids and actives, or if you’re oily or acne-prone.”

about my skin

As a traveler with dry skin and an aversion to cold weather, burping has helped my skin a lot.After a Retinol Mess or Two, Whack Helped Fix Mine obstacleIt’s a silent, meditative retreat from a skincare ritual, but at the cost of my silk pillowcase.So I’m looking for an alternative to balance the slime factor: think less about Nickelodeon and more Little dolphin skin.

My skin barrier is fickle; a redness-prone, deterioration-prone beast. After moving to San Francisco and losing Sydney’s frizz-causing humidity, it’s become sensitive to INFJ levels, so I’ve been in desperate need of Evian-mainline (aka moisturizer). Pairing a good sealer with a moisturizer is non-negotiable for me these days.

In the future, I put five potential Aquaphor replacements in a plump-it-up test. Here’s my take on each.