Stretch marks and Pregnancy

At 4-5 months of gestation in which the belly getting bigger, a common problem experienced by the majority of pregnant women is the emergence of stretch marks.
Each individuals has varying shades of stretch marks, both in color and severity.

The occurrence of stretch marks usually begins with reddish or purplish lines on the surface of the skin, overtime the color will change to white lines, and when deep observed, it is more likely silver color.

Medically speaking, stretch marks are “striae” and appears due to stretching in a short time.
Stretch marks is not only occur in pregnant women, because people who are overweight can also arise due to deposition of fat in the body.

Essentially, stretch marks occur due to stretched skin suddenly and quickly, so the skin loses its elasticity.
It could also due to the influence of steroid medications for asthma sufferers.

However, stretch marks are most common in pregnant women and nearly 90% of pregnant women affected by stretch marks.

The lines on the skin can also occur in some parts of the skin.
In pregnant women, the main areas that usually happens is in the breast, abdominal wall, thighs, and buttocks.

The weakening of dermis layer

The skin is actually composed of three layers, epidermis in the top layer, dermis in the middle layer, and subcutaneous in the inner layer.

The occurrence of stretch marks are very influential to the dermis layer, because this layer is responsible to support the skin and keeping it smooth.
The dermis also home for blood vessels that carry nutrients to skin cells.

Dermis layer made of elastic tissue that makes the skin able to stretch in accordance to body needs.
But when the body getting bigger in a short time, such as during pregnancy, these fibers will weaken and eventually break due to thinning skin.

Therefore, the occurrence of stretch marks characterized by the spread of blood vessels through dermis layer into a thin layer of the epidermis.

But, if the pregnancy is controlled, means not too big and always maintain the weight, it may not causes stretch marks.

Stretch marks also triggered by several factors, such as genetic factors, the production of corticosteroid hormones, lack of fluids, and nutritional problems.
So, if your parents, especially mothers who have stretch marks, then you also tend to get it.

Darker-skinned woman who did not experience any stretch marks probably because the high levels of melanin in their bodies, whereas the women whose the body produce lot of corticosteroid hormones or hormones that lower levels of skin collagen are more susceptible because their skin is less elastic.

But, pregnant women who consume lots of liquids, high nutrients, and balanced diet will more secure from the threat of stretch marks.
With plenty of fluids, skin becomes more elastic and able to stretch over the growth of the body during pregnancy.

However, stretch marks can not be eliminated one hundred percent, but can be minimized and prevented when doing skin care early on.

Six months postpartum, the line of stretch marks usually fade and barely invisible anymore. But, in severe cases and stretch marks are very clear, you should consult with your doctor to know the type of maintenance carried out.

How to prevent and treat stretch marks

Although it will disappear by itself, but many products available that can reduce the effects of stretch marks during pregnancy.
These products generally form a gel containing moisturizers or collagen to maintain normal skin’s elasticity, vitamin E and A as well as extra virgin coconut oil to make the skin firm.

In addition to minimizing the appearance of stretch marks, the drug could also help resolve a dry skin and nourish the skin. But, there is always potential side effects that should be anticipated.

Although Retinol-A is considered powerful enough to significantly reduce stretch marks, because it is able to penetrate the outer layers of the skin and helps repair skin cells and produce collagen, but the cream is not recommended for pregnant women or lactating.

Make sure anti-stretch marks moisturizing cream you use does not contain lots of fat, making it easy to absorb into the skin.
Also, balances yoour diet rich in nutrients and if necessary add a supplement that has been consulted with your doctors.

Apply the cream on the skin every day, thus reducing the effects of drought that usually accompany the occurrence of stretch marks.
Gentle massage while greasing also helps circulation in the area that have stretch marks and skin stretching can not make bad influence.