Stretch marks are the bane of many of our lives. These appear as lines on the skin especially when the skin has been stretched over a short period of time. They are a common side effect of pregnancy. The medical term for stretch marks is stria but that probably doesn’t interest you as much as how to prevent the appearance of stretch marks or at least minimize the results.
What are stretch marks?
Stretch marks start as slightly raised lines on the skin. The color depends on the color of your normal skin. They can be anything from pink to reddish-brown or dark brown.
At first glance they can look like a scar and in a way they are. Usually they are paler and less obvious than scars from cuts.
Stretch marks can occur anywhere that the skin has been stretched. Most commonly they affect the stomach, breasts, thighs, and buttocks.
Because they often occur in pregnancy you may associate them with women. But men can also suffer from stretch marks if the skin is suddenly stretched. The dermis of the skin is thin and can be easily damaged.
4 Common reasons for appearance of stretch marks
The most common reasons for stretch marks to appear on the body are:
1. Pregnancy – Almost 9 out of 10 women develop stretch marks during pregnancy on their stomachs, thighs and breasts. You may think you have got away with it but they usually appear in the sixth or seventh month of pregnancy.
2. During puberty – Both boys and girls grow quickly during adolescence. Girls often get stretch marks on their hips, thighs, and breast while boys often get them on their upper body.
3. Athletes – Bodybuilders and athletes who go to the gym to become bigger and stronger sometimes get stretch marks as they bulk up.
4. Weight loss and weight gain – Other than pregnancy the most common time to get stretch marks is with weight change. Putting on a lot of weight over a short time can cause stretch marks. Conversely if you are on a diet and lose a lot of weight you can also suffer with stretch marks.
Ways to treat or prevent stretch marks
There is no easy treatment for stretch marks but there are some things that can help you to minimize the appearance of stretch marks.
Moisturizers and creams – Creams containing alpha hydroxyl acid (AHAs) can help reduce stretch marks. Creams are not yet proven to prevent stretch marks, but keeping your skin well moisturized can help.
Laser surgery – this does not remove stretch marks, but it can help make them less noticeable.
Surgery – this is an extreme option and doesn’t come cheap but it can remove stretch marks below the belly button.
The best way to avoid stretch marks is to maintain a healthy weight. Rapid diets that cause a sudden change of weight can cause stretch marks.
If you massage your skin every day with a moisturizer you will improve your blood circulation and encourage new healthy tissue.
As always eating a healthy diet as part of an overall healthy lifestyle will help to keep your skin healthy which can only help.
If you are planning a pregnancy and don’t want to have stretch marks, eat healthily and avoid excessive weight gain. You don’t actually need to “eat for two”. Yes you may need to take extra calories in order to nourish your unborn child but ensure these calories come from a well-balanced diet. Take advice from your antenatal staff and you will hopefully prevent the appearance of stretch marks.
