Stretch marks during pregnancy are very common and effect more than half the pregnant women. They appear as purplish or bright red lines and can be quite itchy as they are formed.

Understanding pregnancy stretch marks is your first step towards effective treatment. Pregnancy stretch marks are the scar like lines you find running across your thighs, belly, breasts or upper arms after sudden weight gain. Stretch marks occur when expanding skin is stretched to its limit and tiny tears appear in the supporting layers of skin. Common in pregnancy, stretch marks affect 50-90% of pregnant women. Eat a healthy, diverse and balanced diet that keeps your weight gain within the recommended range of 25 to 35 pounds. Stretch mark prevention will save you the trouble of getting rid of stretch marks once they've occurred. Stretch marks occur because the collagen and elastin that bind your skin are stressed during weight gain, resulting in tears in your skin's elastic fibers.

Symptoms and signs

They first appear as reddish or purple lines, but tend to gradually fade to a lighter color. The affected areas appear empty and soft to the touch.

Human skin has three different layers: the epidermis (outer layer), the dermis (middle layer), and the subcutaneous stratum (innermost layer). Stretch marks occur in the dermis, the resilient middle layer that helps the skin retain its shape. No stretch marks will form as long as there is support within the dermis. Stretching plays more of a role in where the marks occur and in what direction they run. Stretching alone is not the cause.

What Causes Stretch Marks?

Stretch marks form when your skin is stretched rapidly as happens during pregnancy. Most women develop stretch marks during the later trimesters of pregnancy though some women start to develop them as soon as their bellies start growing.

Stretch marks are actually small tears that form in the tissue that supports the skin and helps it stretch. Stretch marks represent the tearing or separation of collagen from the skin when tearing occurs. Stretch marks are not harmful or painful and usually fade over time.

Eat a healthy, diverse and balanced diet that keeps your weight gain within the recommended range of 25 to 35 pounds. A good way to get rid of stretch marks is to help repair the collagen and elastin growth in your skin. Specially formulated stretch mark creams aim to rebuild the structure and promote the rejuvenation of your skin's layers. Drink plenty of water. Hydration is important for your overall health. Laser therapy, topical medications and dermabrasion, alone or in combination have all been shown to be effective in diminishing the appearance of stretch marks. Using a laser or intense light, stretch marks are treated by flashes or beams of laser light that pass through the skin into the collagen within the second layer of skin. Postpartum laser treatments may be beneficial and are rapidly gaining in popularity.

How to Get Rid of Stretch Marks

Most of the topical treatments available should be used shortly after delivery, before they start to fade. Some women also regard a certain way plastic surgery after they are done having children. Most of the topical treatments available should be used shortly after delivery, before they start to fade. Most women believe that they can prevent stretch marks by using creams and lotions. There are many formulations on the market today that claim to help prevent stretch marks. Some of these may help moisturize your skin and reduce itching. Gaining much more than this can cause you to develop more stretch marks. Massage makes the affected area more supple, reducing stretch marks by stimulating new tissue to grow. Laser therapy is an effective way to treat pregnancy stretch marks.

Removing Stretch Marks

1. Using lasers to remove stretch marks works because it repairs the skin's natural synthesis of collagen.

2. Collagen is a protein rich compound occurring in the body that repairs and rejuvenates skin tissue.

3. Cosmetic laser treatment for stretch marks works to stimulate renewed growth of depleted collagen.

4. Choose a lotion for pregnancy stretch marks that will replenish the lost moisture and keep the skin healthy.b

Permanent Stretch Mark Removal

While this type of treatment may not be for everyone, women who are looking for a quick and efficient way to clear up unsightly stretch marks may want to consider laser treatments. Cosmetic laser treatments, such as Coolbeam and blue light therapy, are an effective way of permanently getting rid of stretch marks. Both types of treatment require little to no recovery period and can be done on an out-patient basis.