Stretch Marks – The Battle Against

Pregnancy is a beautiful and marvelous stage in a woman’s life. There are the seats given up for you willingly, by mere strangers; the gifts; the well-wishers – and wait: the stretch marks!

Along with your growing belly, some of you will be horrified to discover red (or purple, depending on your skin color) streaks crawling up your abdomen and thighs. “But I didn’t scratch!” You say to yourself, aghast. Should you worry? Should you invest in an appointment with the latest laser surgeon now? What will you do with all your bikinis?

Hold on there. Breathe. It’s OK. Before you panic, check out the following facts and keep yourself stretch mark-savvy.

What are stretch marks and what cause them?

Stretch marks are small depressed streaks caused by tiny tears in the elastic supportive tissue that lies just underneath the layer of your skin that helps it stretch. They begin as reddish or brownish lines depending on your skin color, and later fade, though never totally disappear. Most women retain these marks in the stomach, legs, buttocks and breasts. Though the skin is very elastic, the weight gain in pregnancy is so dramatic that sometimes it’s more than the skin can handle.

How do I prevent them?

Though an estimated 7 out of 10 moms have stretch marks, experts say the probability of stretch marks are not just caused by pregnancy but depend on genetics, too. To help prevent their onset, it is recommended that you keep your weight gain within the 25-35 pound limit, and if you do, pile it on slowly. This paces the stretching of the skin. The good news is, six to twelve months after childbirth, most stretch marks become less noticeable. It is also highly advised that moms use high-quality moisturizers to aid skin elasticity, thus minimizing the chances of tears. (Pregnant women should check if their current beauty regimen is safe for baby). There’s also truth in the “no scratching” rule – though your skin will become more sensitive and feel itchy, try to keep your hands off your belly because the added tears in the skin will create more stretch marks.

What can you use to prevent stretch marks?

Common skin solutions range from applying Vitamin E gel, shea butter, and cocoa butter. Others use lotions with natural ingredients like plant extracts, and fruit acids like glycolic acid and lactic acid. The secret to making these creams work is to apply them liberally several times a day. Do not use products with Retinoic Acid or Tretinoin and other vitamin A derivatives ad these have been shown to cause numerous birth defects. Always consult with your doctor before trying any cream – even those that you have been using before pregnancy.

You can also try an all-natural safe remedy to combat itchiness and prevent stretch marks: Mix unrefined olive oil, lemon juice and baking soda, rub it gently on your skin to lighten and exfoliate skin. Another home remedy is plain yoghurt used as a lotion to relieve itchiness and discomfort.

Can you remove stretch marks after pregnancy?

Stretch marks, like most beauty dilemmas, can be solved. Though the broken skin fibers cannot be repaired, there are still ways to bring back suppleness and clarity of skin. Keep in mind that the sooner you treat this problem, the better. Breastfeeding moms will have to wait a little longer, however, as most of the topical creams have ingredients that are proven unsafe for infant ingestion or transfer during breastfeeding.

Another alternative is going to a dermatologist and asking for laser or skin peeling treatments. These are a bit costly and require several sessions for effective results. There are also dermatological breakthroughs that are safe even for pregnant women’ you can ask your trusted practitioner about this.