Stretch marks are slim, streak-like lines that can appear on the skin. They come in different colours from pink, red, purple or brown, which will depend on the natural colour of your healthy skin. These occur often mostly during pregnancy, affecting around 80% or more pregnant women.
These marks most commonly appear on the stomach, and sometimes in your upper thighs, and breasts, and as a baby grows during pregnancy. Stretch marks can be different from woman to woman and therefore affect everyone differently.
The first sign to be noticed will be an itchiness that persists in places where the skin is thinning. While stretch marks are often not medical problems and have much to do with aesthetics, it can have a psychological impact on those who experience them.
After pregnancy, the marks will tend to fade over time and become less discernible. Most likely they will disappear completely.
Let’s look at what causes stretch marks below.
What Causes Stretch Marks?
This usually occurs when the middle layer or the dermis of the skin is stretched and broken in different places.
Regardless of if or if not you develop stretch marks will depend on your skin type, as some individuals have skin that is more elastic and therefore more susceptible to develop stretch marks than others.
Pregnancy Weight Gain
The probability of you developing stretch marks is higher if you gain weight more than what is gained on average during pregnancy. Most women tend to gain about 10 to 12.5 kilograms of weight during pregnancy, although this depends on each and every individual woman.
It’s important not to try and lose weight when you are pregnant by cutting down on what you eat. It is mandatory for you to eat a nutritious and healthy diet when you are pregnant.
If you are worried about your weight, you might want to consider speaking with your doctor. An experienced healthcare professional will give you proper advice that is tailored to your situation.
Now let's look at how to prevent stretch marks below.
How to Prevent Stretch Marks?
While the effectiveness of some of the treatments vary from person to person, some creams are believed to help with alleviating the overall negative impact on the skin that is a direct result of stretch marks.
Also it is important to take measures to stay hydrated and eat a balanced and healthy diet. The best thing to do would be to consult a qualified and experienced healthcare provider about a suitable remedy for you like retinoid creams, laser therapy or skin treatments. Proactively taking steps will help you to feel better that you are doing everything that you can to look your best!
