Preventing Stretch Marks during Pregnancy

Stretch marks affect 50 to 90% of women during pregnancy.  Stretch marks don’t always occur during pregnancy.  Any rapid weight gain can cause them to appear.  This includes both men and women body builders and athletes, and adolescents who experience rapid growth spurts. 

In pregnancy stretch marks appear on a woman’s abdomen where the skin is often stretched to its limit.  Other areas of skin are also expanding rapidly which may cause stretch marks in other areas like the buttocks, hips, thighs, arms and breasts.  Loose skin can also occur resulting in sagging skin near or around the stretch marks.

Loss of collagen in skin as it stretches rapidly is what causes stretch marks to appear.  When skin and the tissue beneath the skin are stretched beyond its ability, collagen deposits deep in the tissue break apart.  This can cause the skin to actually rip and tear.  When these tears heal the result is scar tissue.  The marks start out as red or pink depressed streaks in the skin.  They may be very small or as much as four inches long.  Over time the stretch marks will fade to a white or silvery color and be less noticeable. 

The best way to prevent stretch marks is to avoid rapid weight gain.  Unfortunately, with pregnancy that is not usually possible.  Other factors also affect who get stretch marks and their severity.  Heredity plays a big part.  Type and condition of skin are also a factor.  Fair–skinned women tend to get more stretch marks and need more skin lightening on the mark itself.  Also, dry skin tends to have less elasticity. 

There are some things that can be done to help with stretch mark prevention.  The first is to try and gain no more than the recommended amount of weight and to gain it slowly if possible.   The next most important step is to keep skin moisturized.  This should be started during the first trimester.  Moisturizer should be applied at least once a day.  Some of the best ingredients to keep moisture in stretching skin Vitamin E, Vitamin A, emu oil, cocoa butter, and lanolin. 

A sensible diet is also very important.  Plenty of vegetables and leafy greens are essential for baby development and the health of skin.  Foods that are high in Vitamin C and E, zinc and silica will help skin stretch better and bounce back faster after birth.  Also staying hydrating with plenty of water and taking prenatal vitamins help produce beautiful skin and a healthy baby. 

If you do get stretch marks when pregnant, as most women do, then there are stretch marks creams that can help fade stretch marks.  Matrixyl has shown positive results used alone.  Its effectiveness is increased when used with Vitamin E, aloe and emu oil.    When theses creams are used regularly over a period of time they can reduce the appearance of stretch marks.