Causes

The pregnant woman's skin stretches a lot and rapidly during the pregnancy term. Some women even gain excessively, more than they should. The hormone relaxin causes collagen level in skin fibers to dive and this makes the skin more prone to developing lines. Its development cannot be stalled. Why some skins don't get these marks or don't get as many lines are largely attributed to the skin and body type. Some women are fortunate enough to be blessed with good elastic skin tone which they either inherited or earned through good diet and physical activity. You are a sure target for stretch marks if you gain excess weight rapidly and your body doesn't have enough elastin and collagen to deal with this change.

Stretch marks cannot be prevented but can be minimized.

Stretch marks are here to stay! Eventually, these marks do turn shiny, pearl white and narrower after delivery, but efforts on your part can minimize if not totally prevent it.

&bull Control your weight: You can control how much you eat by eating right. Try and gain weight at a gradual pace since weight gain is an inevitable part of pregnancy. Stretch marks tend to increase as the pregnancy progresses. Those who are prone to them will still get them but with gradual weight gain, the skin will stretch without tearing so the number and severity of this problem is lessened. By keeping your weight gain at a healthy, steady level you will be able to minimize the gravity of this problem.

&bull Modify your diet: A diet rich in protein and vitamin C helps to promote and maintain healthy skin. A diet packed with foods that are protein-rich certainly helps, and don't forget your fruits and veggies.

&bull Lotions and salves: It is important to accept and remember that genetics and weight gain have a heavy role in determining whether you get stretch marks or not. Many people swear that vitamin E creams, expensive oils, salves and emollients help but many women who have used such products still got those marks. So it is really a question of you being predisposed to this problem or not. These creams at best moisten your skin and keep them well conditioned and this in turn will keep itchiness at bay. (Stretched skin feels itchy a lot of times.)

Don't lose heart...

These marks appear prominent while you are pregnant but with time, after you have delivered, they tend to lighten and fade into silvery lines that are lighter than the surrounding skin. If you are still unhappy or uncomfortable with those lines, make an appointment with a dermatologist who will work on the scars through microdermabrasion or laser. Alternatively, you can resort to treatment with Isotretinoin gel (Retin-A), which you should only try after your pregnancy and if you are not breastfeeding. However, take note that this treatment is most effective when the streaks still have their dark pigments.