Some mothers happily display them as a "red badge of motherhood." Some mothers are distressed by seeing them.
Let’s talk about stretch marks and what you can do about them!
Stretch marks, also called striae distensae or striae gravidarum, are thin, streak-like lines that may appear on the skin's surface. Based on the skin tone, they may be pink, red, purple, or brown. They affect about 9 out of every 10 mothers.
Stretch marks are most often seen on the:
belly
breasts
thighs
bottom
legs
False! Stretch marks develop most commonly during pregnancy, but they can appear at any age or time.
Stretch marks on your belly (or elsewhere) are most likely to appear at the end of the second trimester and into the beginning of the third trimester when you're between 6 and 7 months pregnant.
Why do they happen?
Stretch marks are basically a scar that develops after your skin tears.
Pinkish lines appear as collagen and elastin (the fibers that hold the skin stretchable) loosen and break as skin is stretched due to the body expanding quickly. The lines that appear are the scars that develop known as “stretch marks”.
Some experts believe that hormones in pregnancy contribute to developing stretch marks. Increased hormones lead to more water in the skin. This causes the bonds between collagen fibers to relax and makes the skin easier to tear when stretched and thus from “stretch marks”.
TRUE! Some women are more vulnerable to them than others. You are more likely to get stretch marks if your mother, father, grandparents, or another blood relative has them.
Aside from genetics other factors influencing the risk of stretch marks include:
Amount and rate of weight gain during pregnancy
Increased weight prior to pregnancy
Need for corticosteroid in pregnancy
Younger age
Large baby
Stretch marks go through a life cycle.
They are initially red, purple, and brilliantly lit. Stretch marks are known as striae rubra at this point of their life cycle. They are easier to handle at this point. This offers you more options for treating them.
As stretch marks evolve, they get paler, almost silvery-white in appearance. At this stage, they are referred to as striae alba. They are much more difficult to manage after they have passed the alba stage.
When stretch marks are new, you have the greatest chance of reducing their emergence. Scars that have faded to white are challenging to handle.
Let’s take a look at what you can do about stretch marks.
Skin Food
Collagen helps to keep the skin tight and elastic. It not only tends to reduce the emergence of lines, but it can also be beneficial in avoiding stretch marks. Vitamin E and C, zinc and silica, help to form collagen. Vitamin C, in particular, is a necessary nutrient for the formation of collagen. Most fruits and vegetables contain vitamin C. Citrus fruits, such as oranges and lemons, are exceptionally high in vitamin C.
Workout
Exercise can help avoid stretch marks in addition to boosting energy levels, minimizing mood swings, changing sleep habits, and improving overall self-image. Exercise increases airflow, which leaves the skin elastic and capable of stretching as it expands.
Massage and moisturize
It won't hurt to massage stretch mark oil or cream onto your belly, hips, and thighs. What should you use?
Cocoa butter/ vitamin E/ Olive oil - You may have received advice to use one of these. Studies have not shown these to be helpful for stretch marks but there is no harm to use them, in fact they can be moisturizing and decrease the itching you may feel with stretch marks
Herb Centella or hyaluronic acid - Some research indicates that daily massage onto stretch marks may aid in decreasing appearance when used early.
Prescription creams with Tretinoin - Several studies have shown that if started early and used daily this cream can decrease stretch marks. However, you can’t use retinoids at all if you’re still pregnant because they can lead to birth defects. Talk to your healthcare provider about use during pregnancy.
Drink A Lot of Water
With a moisturizing balm, you can hydrate your skin from the outside, but what about the inside? Yes, we're all about drinking a lot of water!
Staying hydrated allows the whole body to function correctly, including your skin. Drinking lots of water assists the skin cells in performing well, repairing themselves, and preventing or recovering from stretch marks.
If topical therapies aren't improving the stretch marks, booking a series of pulsed dye laser treatments is a smart alternative, even if you're breastfeeding. But it could cost you: Based on where you live, a single procedure will cost anything from $350 to $1,000.
Microneedling is another option that uses radiofrequency to lessen further the severity of skin conditions, including acne and stretch marks. Compared to laser treatment, micro-needling usually provides a shorter healing time and may be less likely to cause skin hyperpigmentation.
Remember that there is always an alternative: embrace them! They are a symbol of what you have gone through with pregnancy and delivery.
MaternalWell text support is available for any general questions!
