Stretch marks, medically known as Striae Gravid Arum, are the most common pregnancy related skin condition. Stretch marks are usually deep red (although sometimes blue) lines that appear on your tummy. They usually start at your navel and spread all across the abdomen. They also can make an appearance on your breasts, upper arms, thighs, hips and on the buttock. Stretch marks normally begin when you enter the second trimester.
Are you at risk of developing stretch marks? If your mom has stretch marks then most likely you will too, since they are hereditary. You are more likely to get additional stretch marks if you have them from previous pregnancies. Ethnicity also matters. Natural blonde-haired people and those with light complexions are the greatest at risk of developing stretch marks. Those with dark complexions are least likely to develop them.
Ways to decrease your risks include:
Control your weight gain. When you put on pounds too quickly, the skin starts stretching rapidly. This causes the underlying dermal structures to break down forming stretch marks. While a healthy weight gain is an important part of the pregnancy, it is best to gain weight slowly and gradually.
Keeping your skin hydrated is essential for reducing stretch marks. Skin has qualities that are more elastic when it is moisturized well. Drinking lots of water helps keep your body healthy and your skin hydrated so it will stretch as your baby grows.
Almost any cosmetic or lotion for dry skin will work for extra moisturizing, especially your stomach area. The more a product is applied to the skin, the more it is absorbed. You want to make sure to read the ingredients before applying to find out if use during pregnancy is safe.
The absorption of the product will be relatively small and probably not much to be concerned about. It is best to use as natural a skin product as possible. Pure cocoa butter is just one that will give you all the moisturizing your body needs without any risks.
Prevention of stretch marks is not scientifically proved by any method or product. However, women of many generations have proven that cocoa butter does help. Cocoa butter is an all-natural fat derived from cocoa beans. Known for their excellent moisturizing properties, cocoa beans keep skin conditioned and help to avoid stretch marks. You will want to get the purest of cocoa butter, which is 100%. If you can't find 100% cocoa butter or would rather make your own cream, there are many recipes and resources available on the internet or at your local library.
If you are already experiencing stretch marks, get some moisturizer on your skin. The sooner the better since the stretch marks are likely to disappear or a least be less noticeable.
You can help to prevent stretch marks caused by pregnancy with a little lotion and maybe some luck.
Who do they Affect?
Men and women both suffer from them, and most women get some after pregnancy. The most common reason for stretch marks appearing is after a person either loses weight or puts weight on over a short time. As all women do this when pregnant, a high percentage will have them. The areas affected most often are the breasts, hips, arms, thighs and abdomen.
Many people who have them become ashamed of their bodies. They are reluctant to wear swimmers or anything that reveals the lines. The problem with stretch marks is that you usually don't know they are forming until it's too late, and you suddenly have them.
Hormones can also affect the likelihood of stretch marks. This is why some teenagers will discover them during puberty, especially if their weight has fluctuated. Certain pharmaceuticals can contribute as well, such as steroids or the pill, bad diet or anxiety disorders.
Over the Counter Products
You can purchase any number of products for helping with your problem. Some stretch marks are light in color and easier to treat, where others can be pink, red or even purple and very raised and lumpy. The latter is much harder to repair, so do your research before handing over a fortune. There are people who swear by some of the brands on the market today, and some are guaranteed to at least make them fade. There are also excellent creams to maintain skin elasticity for preventing them in the first place.
Avoid caffeine and keep up the water intake, ensuring you drink at least eight glasses a day. You need a diet full of adequate vitamins and minerals, and exercise regularly to keep your skin toned. If you want to lose weight, you are better off doing it gradually.
Treatment Options
If you treat your stretch marks sooner rather than later, your chances of success are much higher. There are creams, beauty treatments, scrubs and laser therapy which all have their fans. Retin-A is one that can be used on darker lines with positive results, as long as they haven't been there for more than twelve months. There is also microderm abrasion, but it can hurt and is expensive. Although Lasers are very efficient, you can spend thousands on treatments and they can be such agony some people need anesthesia to get through.
There really are no guaranteed treatments for stretch marks. With the right product used the right way, along with diet, exercise and hydration, you should be able to make them fade. With so many people hiding theirs, you certainly shouldn't be ashamed. They are a natural part of life, so look at them more like signs of experience and maturity.
Do Treatments Work?
You can purchase any number of products for helping with your stretch mark problem. Some are light in color and easier to treat, where others can be pink, red or even purple and very raised and lumpy. The latter is much harder to repair, and laser treatment may be the only option. There are people who swear by some of the treatments on the market, and some are guaranteed to at least make them fade. There are also excellent creams to maintain skin elasticity for preventing them in the first place.
Summary:
People who drop pounds rapidly or vice versa will often get stretch marks. These marks are like cracks made from scar tissue, and are actually signs of the connective skin tissue having been damaged. There are many treatments on the market you can try, some more affordable than others.
Both Michael Russell & Brooke Hayles are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
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