Are you a new mom? Congrats! Welcoming a baby at your home is always a pleasure! But side by side, you need to welcome those unwanted scars and stretch marks as well! These marks might have deprived you from wearing your favorite party gown in the post pregnancy period. Before restoring the gown back inside your cupboard, you should note that you can still wear the gown with total confidence in the near future. You can make the scars to fade away or you can even prevent the formation of scars at the very onset.
What are Stretch Marks and Why do They Appear?
Stretch marks, known as Striae in dermatology, are the scars on the skin caused by the tearing of the dermis. Marks can fade away slowly but may not disappear completely. Stretch marks are also called striae gravidarum, striae distensae, striae atrophicans, striae rubra (which are red) and striae alba (white). Stretch marks result from the stretching of skin due to rapid growth during puberty, weight gain, muscle building and pregnancy. Stretch marks can be embarrassing at times because they affect the appearance of an individual.
Stretch marks appear as reddish brown, brown or dark brown streaks. It also depends upon your skin tone. Fair people can have scars in a slightly pinkish shade. While stretch marks can appear anywhere in the body, the most common areas include breasts, thighs, stomach, arms, under arms, hips and buttocks.
Causes behind the Formation of Stretch Marks
- Hormonal Effects: Hormones that are responsible for the development of stretch marks affect the dermis by preventing the fibroblasts from forming collagen and elastin fibers, which are responsible for maintaining the tightness of the skin. This hormone is called gluco-corticoid. This creates a lack of supportive material and leads to dermal and epidermal tearing when the skin undergoes stretching. The skin tears when it cannot handle the stretching force.
- Pregnancy: Pregnancy is one of the major reasons for stretch marks to appear on the abdominal area usually in the third trimester or in the later months when the skin gets stretched to accommodate the fetus. About 70 to 90% of pregnant women develop stretch marks over the abdomen. Up to 90% of women develop stretch marks over some part of their body due to excess weight gain during pregnancy. Women who give birth to twins or triplets are more likely to get stretch marks.
- Sudden Weight Loss and Weight Gain: Frequent fluctuations in the skin elasticity can cause the formation of stretch marks. During weight gain, the skin expands to fit in the body weight but it has its own limit! When a person gains weight in a rapid manner, the skin is not able to adjust immediately and the connective tissues in the dermis layer experience tearing. Hence when you gain weight, the components of the skin tend to become weaker and this leads to breakage of the skin.
- Nutritional Deficiency: Lack of required nutrients in the diet can also be one of the causes for stretch marks to appear. Milk, fruits and vegetables contain high amounts of vitamin A, C and D and protein-rich foods like fish and eggs benefit not only your skin but your overall health as well. Consumption of foods like nuts, soybean, spinach and kiwi, which are rich in Vitamin E will also help you to prevent stretch marks.
Prevention and Treatment for Stretch Marks
You need to know your body traits and skin reactions or sensitivity while treating your stretch marks. These are the ways by which you can prevent stretch marks in the long run:
- Exercise is a very good way of maintaining your weight. This will keep away the stretch marks as well. As a beginner, exercise for at least 2 or 3 times a week. It will also keep your body toned, energetic and fresh.
- Drink loads of water. It will not only keep you hydrated but will also keep your skin clear and soft. This is the easiest way to prevent stretch marks.
- Keeping the skin moisturized is very important for preventing stretch marks during the first trimester of pregnancy.
- Most of the creams that are used for stretch marks contain ingredients such as Vitamin E, Vitamin A, cocoa butter, wheat germ oil, lanolin, AHAs (alpha-hydroxyl acids), olive oil, coconut oil, butter lotion and Aloe Vera. These elements work wonderfully on your skin leaving it supple and smooth.
- Retinoid medications are effective remedies for stretch marks and damaged skin. However they do have side effects like skin irritation. You should use it once it is prescribed by your doctor or dermatologist.
- Laser treatments and microdermabrasions are useful but expensive ways of getting your stretch marks treated. You might have to go for various sessions as results cannot be obtained from a single session.
You can also check out some home remedies for stretch marks here.
To be honest, stretch marks are inevitable in women especially during or after childbirth. But the good news is that you can still minimize it by taking necessary steps as soon as possible. When you know very well that you will be getting stretch marks during or after pregnancy, then you should stay a little proactive to prevent the appearance of scars at the initial stages.
