When I was expecting my first child four years ago, I’d heard all the horror stories about the physical changes my body would go through. If you’re a mama, then you know what I’m talking about – my tummy gradually expanded to the point it looked like I swallowed a beach ball, my breasts picked up an extra cup size, and yes I gained about 20 pounds! But what bothered me the most, besides a dull backache, were the stretch marks on my tummy. As a new mom, I wasn’t prepared for any of these changes, but I promised myself the next time – if there was a next time – I’d be ready!
A little over a year ago, my husband and I decided we were ready for the next time, or as ready as we could be. We both knew it would be a challenge. Pregnancy is hard, especially for a mama-to-be who’d hit the Big Four-O before the birth of her next child.
Banish those Stretchmarks
One of my goals from the moment the pregnancy test came back positive was to keep stretch marks at bay – to reduce their appearance as much as possible. So I began with a few online searches, read a lot of articles, visited many websites, talked to other mamas – blah blah blah. There were some helpful tips I came across, like eating healthy meals, drinking lots of water, hydrating my tummy, and simple exercises during pregnancy. All common sense, right? If you’re a mom, you know stretch marks may disappear over time, but that’s a roll of the dice. I wanted more than a game of chance.
I tried many products during my second pregnancy – creams, gels, silicone patches – homemade and store-bought. Some worked a little bit, most didn’t at all. About three weeks ago, I was on Facebook posting updates and photos of the baby when I came across an ad for a product called Clarafuse by Dermaclara.
Clarafuse Body Patches
Once I read the reviews – here and here – from mamas like me, I decided to give it a try. These are nifty little patches that use something called Silicone Fusion™ Technology to minimize the appearance of stretch marks you may experience during pregnancy.
I’ve been using Clarafuse daily for about two weeks, and I’m pleased with the results so far. Stretch marks on my tummy are harder to see now than before, and my skin feels tighter, supple, and healthy. If you want to try Clarafuse, here are some tips I feel comfortable passing along:
#1 – Make sure to clean and dry your tummy before applying the patches. I’m not talking about a multi-step beauty process, either. Yep, there’s a product called Claraprep Cleanser for just such an occasion.
#2 – Each patch has a self-adhesive backing and can be re-positioned as needed. Have no fear – it doesn’t hurt when peeled off!
#3 – You can leave the patch on for up to eight hours, but I’d recommend trying them overnight for best results.
#4 – Hydrate your skin after removing the patch. Use whichever moisturizer you prefer but here’s one to consider.
I almost forgot! Unlike some patches, these can be re-used up to 30 times which makes them a great value for the money. Simply take the patch off, rinse it with water, shake to dry it off, then put it back in the tray it came with. Voila! Disclaimer: What works for me may not work for you, so please keep an open mind!
If you’ve used Clarafuse and are happy with the results, Dermaclara has other beauty products to consider, including a moisturizer and body+face combo pack. When ordering from their website, be sure to enter the code that was on their Facebook ad “MOMMY10” for a 10% discount on your entire order! Good luck with your stretch marks!