Pregnancy Stretch Marks - An Important Insight

By: apurva | Posted: 05th July 2007

Pregnancy is a beautiful period so do not let the little pregnancy complications that occur to dampen your spirits. Brighten up even if you having problems like stretch marks as there are several treatments available and research has shown that after some time they generally disappear.

What exactly are pregnancy stretch marks?

Stretch marks are defined in Dermatology as scar formation on the skin with a silvery white hue. When they first appear on the skin they may be reddish or purple in color but as time passes they gradually fade to a pale white color and the skin in that area is very soft to touch.

Why and where do they occur?

The human skin includes the outer epidermal layer, the inner dermis layer and the subcutaneous stratum. The dermis is the layer that helps the skin retain its shape and the pregnancy stretch marks appear on the dermis as a result of excessive stretching and sudden weight gain. Pregnancy stretch marks may occur on breasts, belly, thighs, upper arms anywhere where fat tends to accumulate.

Various stretch mark treatments are available for stretch marks removal like ointments, the most popular of which is cocoa butter. You may also use Vitamin E oil or other ointments. If the stretch marks are really severe and these treatments do not help, consult your health care specialist, as there are laser treatments, dermabrasion, tretenoin, isotretenoin, adepalin and many such methods are being discovered. It makes sense consulting your health care specialist before applying any lotions for pregnancy stretch marks, as it may be possible that some medications such as steroids or hormones may be causing the stretch marks.

Who is more prone to getting pregnancy stretch marks?

  • The more elastic your skin is the less prone you are to getting stretch marks

  • Sudden weight gain may cause stretch marks so eat healthy and cut down that extra fat.

  • Genetics plays an important part so if your mother got stretch marks it is likely that you would too.

  • If you are expecting multiples the chances of stretch marks is higher as the belly usually grows larger than other women

  • In case you developed stretch marks on your breast during puberty you are more likely to develop stretch marks

  • In case this is your second pregnancy and you had it the first time it is more likely you’ll develop them again

  • If you drink lots of water and eat a nutritious diet you are more likely to avoid serious stretch marks

    Pregnancy stretch marks should not be seen as such a big problem that it disturbs your peace of mind and happiness. Don’t worry once your baby is born, after a year or so the marks tend to disappear or may appear as light lines. In case you would like to apply ointments like Tretinoin cream it is better to do it after delivery as it may affect your unborn baby. If you are breast-feeding, please consult your doctor before using stretch mark treatments because some treatments for pregnancy stretch marks may be harmful to the breast milk or probably affect the milk supply.

    Pregnancy stretch marks are one of the many pregnancy complications, which is a cause of concern for pregnant women. However, with some care and precautions, it is possible to avoid stretch marks to a great extent. And if you are facing the problem of ugly looking marks, you can try stretch mark treatments such as lotions for pregnancy stretch marks. In extreme cases, you can even try laser treatment for pregnancy stretch marks. For more details and information visit Pregnancy Complications
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    Tags: lotions, thighs, vitamin e, human skin, steroids, laser treatments, cocoa butter, pregnancy complications, vitamin e oil, hue, sudden weight gain, stratum, epidermal layer, dermis layer, pregnancy stretch marks