Stretch marks are scars or disfiguring lesions. Although you can get them at any time they’re most common during pregnancy. Studies show they are one of the top concerns pregnant women have. So, let’s find out everything there is to know about them.
Stretch marks are scars or disfiguring lesions. Although you can get them at any time they’re most common during pregnancy. Studies show they are one of the top concerns pregnant women have. So, let’s find out everything there is to know about them.
The most common areas affected include:
- abdomen
- breasts
- hips
- stomach
- buttocks
- thighs
Stretch marks are not physically dangerous but can cause problems with self-image and anxiety. For some people, stretch marks are a significant cosmetic concern that can affect day-to-day living.
How do they form?
Stretch marks form when your skin is stretched or pulled further than it is comfortable with, especially if the growth is rapid as it is during pregnancy.
Skin is typically pretty elastic, but if it is stretched too far, too quickly it can mess with the production of collagen. Collagen is the protein responsible for the connective tissue your skin has.
Your skin has three layers:
- The epidermis, or the outer layer.
- The dermis, the middle layer that contains connective tissue, sweat glands, and hair follicles.
- The hypodermis, the deepest layer which is comprised of connective tissue and fat.
Stretch marks form in the dermis layer when rapid growth leads to a tear in the dermis. That tear lets the hypodermis become visible through the skin, which is why they take on the appearance that they do.
While they can be unsightly, don’t worry if you get them. More than half of all pregnant women will. Some doctors put that number at closer to 90 per cent. Genetics play a big role in the likelihood of you getting stretch marks: it’s probable that if your mum had stretch marks, and her mum before her, you will have them too.
Can they be prevented?
While there are no magical solutions for stretch marks when it comes to prevention and treatment once they are already there, there are some things you can try to help lessen the damage to your skin.
Here are some of the things that are important when it comes to the formation or the possibility of avoiding the formation of stretch marks.
Skin Elasticity
There’s nothing you can do about this. Your skin’s elasticity has already been determined.
Nutrition
Nutrition can play a role in the development of stretch marks. By choosing to eat whole foods, such as fruits and vegetables, you might ward off some stretch marks. Your body will have the nutrients it needs to work in tip-top condition and whole foods tend to be lower in calories too so you’ll have a less dramatic weight gain.
Hydration
Keeping your skin well hydrated with lotions and creams may help with some of the stretching and pulling. At the very least, your belly should feel more comfortable and less itchy when you apply lotion. You should also drink enough water to keep your body well hydrated.
There are a number of natural preventions out there some women swear helped them avoid stretch marks during their pregnancy. Remember, all of this is anecdotal evidence though, it’s entirely possible they might not have had stretch marks no matter what they did or didn’t do during pregnancy.
Written by Laura Doyle staff writer at FFHQ who also blogs at www.lovelifeandlittleones.com.
