When skin expands or shrinks rapidly, stretch marks appear during pregnancy since the proteins in the skin layers, specifically elastin and collagen, rupture. Hence, stretch marks formed due to healing in the form of long, red /pink /brown scars.
Stretch marks are ubiquitous in pregnancy. They generally become visible during later trimesters, around the sixth or seventh month of pregnancy. Also, they might appear sooner as well.
Causes stretch marks during pregnancy.
Some of the reasons that cause stretch marks during pregnancy might include the following:
Genetics
Stretch marks are partly hereditary. If your mom or sister has developed stretch marks during pregnancy, you are more likely to have them too.
Physical stretching
During the second trimester of pregnancy, a sudden weight increase occurs. So skin expands rapidly. It causes the skin’s elastin and collagen to rupture and results in stretch marks.
Hormones
The increase and decrease of specific hormone levels also play a crucial role in forming stretch marks during pregnancy. Diagnostic procedure
Young skin
If you are too young, you can get more stretch marks. Youthful skin is a lot more firm than matured skin. So if your skin is firm, it has to stretch more to account for your growing baby. It causes stretch marks.
How to reduce stretch marks that appear during pregnancy
Here are some tips to help you to reduce stretch marks during pregnancy:
Moisturizing and Massaging
As soon as you see stretch marks that appear on your skin, apply pressure and massage at least one time a day.
Massaging stretch marks with creams containing Hyaluronic acid or Tretinoin helps reduce them.
Stay hydrated
Take suitable fluids to keep your skin hydrated, soft, and elastic. Dehydrated skin is more prone to develop stretch marks.
Have a balanced diet
If you eat a balanced diet, you will get your pounds at a slower and steadier rate during pregnancy. As the weight gain is stable, the chances of developing stretch marks are also slow.
Increasing Vitamin C intake
Foods rich in Vitamin C contain antioxidants that help to repair skin and tissue damage. Eat oranges, tomatoes, broccoli, cauliflower, and green leafy vegetables regularly.
Exercising
Exercising helps to maintain proper body weight during pregnancy. Moreover, regular exercise boosts blood circulation, keeping your skin less vulnerable to damage.
Most of the stretch marks formed during pregnancy fade away naturally with time. But if you are still concerned about them, you may consult a dermatologist and take proper treatment.
None of these treatments can guarantee you eliminate them, but they can make them less noticeable. Some of the treatments are:
- Laser therapy
- Chemical peels
- Microdermabrasion
- Ultrasound
- Radiofrequency
- Microneedling
These treatments are not to be taken during pregnancy as they are unsafe; moreover, your skin changes over these nine months.
