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CLICK HERE to Find Out How You Can Erase Your Stretch Marks for Good |
This
post will discuss about what causes stretch marks during pregnancy, how to prevent getting stretch marks during pregnancy, how to treat stretch marks during and after pregnancy, plus video clips on Natural Remedies to Remove Pregnancy Stretch Marks and Preventing Stretch Marks and Too Much Weight During Pregnancy + Post-Partum Weight Loss.
Women's
bodies go through many physical changes during pregnancy, the majority which
are out of their control.
Stretch
marks during pregnancy are a natural result of a woman's skin stretching as she
develops further in her pregnancy.
While
the end result of giving birth is undoubtedly worth it, understanding how they can
be prevented and treated will be welcomed.
Statistically,
women getting stretch marks during pregnancy is relatively high with around 70%
to 90% of women suffering from them in some way, according to the NHS.
We
chatted to dermatologists and doctors specialising in skin health to find out
more.
Why causes women to
get stretch marks during pregnancy?
"Stretch
marks develop when the collagen in the skin is stretched beyond its elastic
limit," Dr Justine Hextall, consultant dermatologist, at The Harley
Medical Group told HuffPost UK Parents.
"This
causes fissuring which appears as stretch marks in our skin."
During
the latter stages of pregnancy specifically when the baby is rapidly growing, a
woman's skin cells rupture due to being pulled apart so much.
When
the cells rupture they will also leave scarring - the stretch mark.
Better
Births midwife Rachel Scanlon from The Royal College of Midwives said it also
may be a result of your genes.
"Some
women have a genetic disposition to stretch marks, so if your mum had them you
might be more likely to have them."
Dr
Hextall agreed, adding: "There are some women who may just have more
elastic skin and can sail through growth spurts and pregnancies with perfect
skin, others are not so lucky.
How can I prevent
getting stretch marks during pregnancy?
Before
noticing stretch marks have developed, there are a number of things women can
do to prevent them.
No
single thing will always work, so understanding how you can look after your
skin as early as possible will be an advantage.
Dr.
Erich Schulte, founder of QMS Medicosmetics said an effective method to prevent
stretch marks during pregnancy is a combination of regular exercise and healthy
nutrition.
Maintaining
a healthy weight will minimise any rapid weight gain that could contribute
towards excessive stretching of the skin.
He
told HuffPost UK Parents: "Boost your routine with supplements ideally
containing Vitamins E and C (like Intravital Plus) and make sure you choose
skincare products that will strengthen the collagen and elastin fibres in your
skin tissue before you're further along in your pregnancy."
Dr.
Kishan Raichuram, skin health expert at IGDP, said another way to prevent
stretch marks during pregnancy is through keeping your skin as healthy and
hydrated as possible.
"While
it's impossible to entirely prevent them, pregnant women can improve skin
condition to hopefully reduce the chances by keep the area well moisturised and
nourished," he said.
Dr.
Schulte agreed, adding that preparing your skin as soon as you know you are
pregnant will help strengthen it.
He
explained: "This will make your less prone to damage and injury to the
tissue. It will also help restore the skin post-pregnancy.
"Exfoliation
is a key benefit as that continues to stimulate the cell turnover and works
well in conjunction with body-firming creams.
"Also
don’t stop the skin care routine once you have given birth as the skin still
needs the support."
What should women do
if they notice stretch marks during pregnancy?
Firstly,
don't panic - finding stretch marks on your stomach does not mean they will
stay there forever.
The
wider, red, dipped scarring will improve significantly and over time, they are
likely to become less pigmented and silverier in colour.
"If
stretch marks do develop try to prevent too much sun exposure to the area as
they can pigment and take longer to fade," explained Dr Hextall.
"Massaging
the skin with bio-oil or silica gel may well reduce the redness and improve the
appearance.
"I
like Bio-oil as it is very accessible for patients and enables them to be
pro-active in treating their stretch marks. I suggest massaging oil into the
skin.
"Soon
the redness of new stretch marks fades and they appear silvery and as such are
much less noticeable.
"Topical
silica gels are also good at reducing redness in all scars."
For
pregnant women, Bio oil is recommended to be massaged in a circular motion into
the stretch marks, twice daily.
It
should be applied from the start of the second trimester to areas that are
prone to stretch marks such as the abdomen, breasts, lower back, hips, buttocks
and thighs.
Midwife
Scanlon agreed that moisturising and massaging your stretch marks will be beneficial,
as well as keeping hydrated.
"Drinking
lots of water will keep your skin more elastic," she said.
Are there any
treatments to get rid of stretch marks post-pregnancy?
There
are more invasive techniques women can try with a higher chance of removing
stretch marks.
Dr
Hextall said The Harley Medical Group's Dermaroller involves 'micro-needling'
to stimulate the skin and regenerate naturally and safely.
Also
referred to as 'Collagen Induction Therapy', this treatment introduces fine
needles to the skin to create microscopic channels.
The
skin is encouraged to produce new collagen which will generate new skin cells.
The skin then becomes thicker and plumper reducing any marks.
She
explained: "Another treatment includes bipolar radio frequency which also
helps to stimulate new collagen.
"This
also has the effect of plumping and tightening the skin which lessens the
appearance of stretch marks."
This
treatment delivers targeted heat to the dermis [the lower or inner layer of the
two main layers of cells that make up the skin]. The energy is delivered
beneath the surface of the stretch mark, stimulating the body's natural healing
response and maximising collagen production.
Dr.
Raichura agreed micro-needling is helpful in lessening the appearance of
stretch marks.
He
said: "It can be very effective but of course the result varies with
individual cases and relies totally on the 'natural' healing processes of the
body.
"Other
treatments include formulations of Vitamin A which are improve surface texture
and pigmentation, and can be combined with skin peels to enhance the result
further.
"Laser
resurfacing, dermabrasion and even surgery (in extreme cases) are also options
for treating stretch marks."
Dr
Hextall said her main advice would be for women not to worry if they notice
them.
"Relax,
you are not alone!" she said. "Around 80% of women develop stretch
marks in pregnancy, the appearance will improve naturally over time, it’s
amazing how our bodies and specifically our skin will bounce back.
"Try
to enjoy your pregnancy and look forward to your new baby, that’s the most
important thing."
Watch
these Videos –
By Justin E King, author of the Erase Your Stretch Marks
program. This program will teach you the natural ways to treat your stretch
marks, how to minimize them, how to get rid of them by using some homemade
cream recipes and nutritional guidelines. For more information about this
program, CLICK HERE to Find Out How to Treat Stretch Marks During Pregnancy.
