Stretch marks is one of many issues occurring during pregnancy. According to various researches, it is definitely normal for pregnant women to develop these white-silvery streaks which can be more visible along with belly expansion. Over eighty percent of mommies-to-be experience this skin disorder. However, some women are more susceptible to these marks than some others. Hence, they might develop more stretch marks which can be visible and long-lasting. Susceptibility is mainly determined by hereditary and hormones.
Why do stretch marks develop during pregnancy?
During pregnancy, women’s abdomen is expanding to provide a proper environment for the baby to grow and to support baby’s weight. This is the most susceptible area for stretch marks development. Stretch marks is caused by torn skin tissues happening during pregnancy. In fact, our skin does grow and have the capability of expanding. However, when pregnant, a woman might quickly gain more weight during the nine months. In average, women gain approximately 30 pounds during pregnancy. This is classified as a rapid weight gain. While the skin does expand to support the baby, sometimes it fails to balance this rapid weight gain. As the body expands faster than the skin, skin tissues tear. This tear results in scars which we refer to as stretch marks.
Skin inability to balance rapid weight gain during pregnancy is not the only determining factor of stretch marks occurrence. In addition, hormonal status of a woman during her pregnancy also has a significant role. In fact, it is not the weight gain itself which causes the skin to tear. Instead, it promotes hormone production which contributes to stretch marks formation. During rapid, excessive weight gain, the body produces hormone called glucocorticoids. This hormone inhibits collagen and elastin fibers production beneath the skin. As the result, the skin might be less elastic and thus, may tear during excessive skin expansion.
Are these stretch marks permanent?
Stretch marks occurring during pregnancy have similar characteristics with those in some other parts of the body. During pregnancy, stretch marks usually become visible in the last trimester, when the abdomen expands the most excessively. Most pregnancy stretch marks formed on the abdomen skin, while some other body parts such as breasts, buttocks, and upper thighs are also susceptible. Stretch marks appearance is also determined by the amount of fats accumulated in certain areas. These lines are likely to grow on the area where fat deposit is mostly centered.
After delivery, expanded skin will retract and return to its original shape and size. However, these stretch marks will not go that easily. Stretch marks might stay on the skin for a long time, even after it stops expanding, although its visibility might lessen through the passed time. In some more susceptible women, these stretch marks even develop into wider scars after delivery. They might also be more visible since the skin is retracting.
How to lessen stretch marks during pregnancy?
Stretch marks is a common skin issue with pregnancy. A lot of women are susceptible to these silvery streaks on certain body parts skin. Stretch marks usually occurs unnoticed initially. However, in some women who are more susceptible of these marks due to hormones or hereditary, stretch marks may look more visible and stay more permanently. Getting rid of these marks is not that simple, yet some methods and treatments can be employed to minimize the effects it may cause. In pregnant women, stretch marks are not likely to cause health serious disturbances, yet it can cause lack of comfort as soon as it develops itching. If you realize that you have develop some initial forms of stretch marks on your abdomen during pregnancy, treating it early will likely make those marks less noticeable.
Stretch marks initially develop as pinkish scars. This is the stage where treatment may take a lot of effects. Thus, scrubbing it with ground coffee or applying olive oil on it regularly might give the marks significant less visibility. Initial period is signed with pinkish, inflamed scars or lines on the affected area. These pinkish scars are caused by increased blood flow which is trapped in the damaged skin tissues due to skin expansion. Overtime, these stretch marks turn into silvery white scars which are more permanent and mature. When you have reached this stage, there is not much you can do to eliminate the lines. To make those marks less visible, you can start exercising after your baby is born. Some substances, such as retinol A and vitamin E can also be applied onto the affected area to lessen the visibility. However, retinol A—which is also found in acne lotion is not suggested to be used during pregnancy, so that you have to wait until your baby is born to treat the stretch marks using this substance.