During and after pregnancy and what to expect

Overview

Pregnant women go through many hormonal and physical changes, including stretch marks. The cause of stretch marks is the stretching of the skin. Their severity is influenced by several factors, including genetics and the degree of stress on the skin. However, it can persist after childbirth and can be made less noticeable with various treatments.

In this blog, we will go into detail about pregnancy stretch marks, their causes, and their treatments.

What are stretch marks?

Stretch marks during pregnancy are also called stretch marks. It is nothing more than a scar caused by the growth of the pregnant woman’s body, stretching of the skin, and tearing of the elastic fibers under the skin. Pregnant women develop stretch marks on their abdomen and chest, which are areas of the body that stretch rapidly. It can also occur on the arms and buttocks.

When stretch marks appear, they may feel slightly raised and are often reddish or purple. But over time, they feel like tiny pits on the skin.They turn white or gray after pregnancy. Stretch marks can be itchy when they first appear. They are common and affect about 8 out of 10 pregnant women. Stretch marks are painless, harmless, and may disappear over time and may not require treatment.

What Causes Stretch Marks During Pregnancy?

The severity of stretch marks is influenced by several factors, including genetics and the degree of stress on the skin. Levels of the hormone cortisol may also play a role. Cortisol (a hormone produced by the adrenal glands) ) weakens the elastic fibers of the skin. However, if the expectant mother is using corticosteroid medications or is experiencing an underlying medical condition such as Cushing’s syndrome, she is more likely to develop stretch her marks. Marfan syndrome.

Genetics also play an important role in the development of stretch marks in the mother during pregnancy. sex is also higher. Stretch marks may occur depending on skin elasticity. Lifestyle habits (diet and exercise) also promote skin health and elasticity. The odds of a woman developing stretch marks also depend on her weight and the pace at which it gains.

Stretch marks occur as the baby grows, the skin stretches, and the bumps expand. Pregnant women are more susceptible to marks because they gain weight rapidly. Stretch her marks do not cause any medical problems and they develop in different ways in every woman.

When Should Women Call Their Doctors About Stretch Marks?

Women should consult a dermatologist because the treatment of stretch marks varies from person to person. They will discuss different options and help you find the best treatment for your skin type.

What are the symptoms of stretch marks?

Symptoms of stretch marks include:

• sunken muscles or lines in various parts of the body, especially the abdomen, chest, hips, and buttocks
• Bright streaks of pink, red, black, blue, or purple that may change to lighter shades after pregnancy
• Lines cover large areas of the body

Who is at Risk for Stretch Marks?

Most pregnant women get stretch marks. However, the following factors can make it more likely to occur:

• Genetics or family history of stretch marks
• pregnant at a young age
• rapid weight gain
• are taking corticosteroids
• Hereditary disorders such as Cushing syndrome and Marfan syndrome

What are the different treatments for stretch marks?

In general, treatment is more effective if a doctor treats stretch marks sooner rather than later. Therefore, women should start treatment early. Various treatments include:

1. Chemical peel: A doctor, dermatologist, or plastic surgeon can perform a chemical peel to remove dead skin cells from the outer layer of skin.
2. Laser treatment: Laser therapy is a procedure that uses specific wavelengths of light to reduce pain, swelling, and scarring. Numerous studies have shown that laser therapy can reduce the visibility of stretch marks by increasing the skin’s collagen production, restoring elastin fibers, and hardening the epidermal layer. Before undergoing the procedure, women should remember that laser treatments may need to be repeated before results can be seen.
3. Microdermabrasion: Dermatologists use microdermabrasion to enhance skin tone and texture. It is a minimally invasive technique for treating blemishes. Acne Scars, wrinkles, sun damage, and other skin-related conditions.
4. Microneedle: Microneedling reduces the appearance of wrinkles and scars. They use fine needles to pierce the skin. Healing these minor injuries can rejuvenate your skin. A doctor will usually micro-needle her in a series of 4-6 sessions.
5. radio frequency It is a non-invasive procedure that uses radio frequency to heat the deeper layers of the skin, activating the body’s natural wound healing processes, firming the skin and stimulating collagen production.
6. Topical gels or creams containing hyaluronic acid: Studies show that when women apply hyaluronic acid to early stretch marks, they become less noticeable.
7. Prescription creams containing tretinoin: Creams containing tretinoin may improve the appearance of stretch marks when used daily by women. Tretinoin is a retinoid that increases the pace of skin cell turnover and promotes collagen growth. Only a dermatologist can prescribe tretinoin cream. Women should not use retinoids if they are pregnant as they can cause birth defects. breast milk.
8. Creams containing cocoa butter or vitamin E: The use of these creams is widespread. Almost all creams that women buy in medical stores contain one or both ingredients. There are no large-scale studies that have proven to minimize the appearance of cases. Women can use creams containing these ingredients. These creams are safe during pregnancy and can help keep the skin moisturized to reduce itchiness.

What else can women do to make stretch marks less noticeable?

1. Massage: Pregnant women can use moisturizing creams or oils for stretch marks on the abdomen, hips and thighs. .
2. Importance of healthy eating: Healthy, nutritious foods can help support mothers and developing children. bring. A diet rich in vitamin D, such as fatty fish, fortified dairy, and eggs, also contributes to skin health.
3. Weight gain should be slow: As mentioned earlier, rapid weight gain is the main cause of stretch marks. Therefore, it is important to gain weight slowly. It is possible if the pregnant woman follows general recommendations for caloric intake during pregnancy instead of binge eating for two days.

Conclusion

A woman undergoes many physical changes in her body during pregnancy. Stretch marks are common because a woman’s skin stretches as her baby’s bumps grow, and although they are permanent, a woman can see a doctor and early treatment can reduce her vision. .

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. At what trimester do pregnant women develop stretch marks?

Women may notice stretch marks on their stomach (and elsewhere) during the sixth and seventh months of pregnancy, towards the end of the second and beginning of the third trimester. It may appear earlier, and most pregnant women notice them as pink, red, brown, or sometimes purplish streaks based on their skin tone.

2. How long will the recovery take?

Women recover differently because everyone recovers differently. Recovery is also based on the severity of early stretch marks and the treatment options a woman attempts. Not all treatment options work the same for all women. So they can consult a doctor to determine what is best for them.

3. Can women get rid of stretch marks after pregnancy?

Like scars, stretch marks are permanent and women never get rid of them. However, most stretch marks disappear on their own after giving birth. Women can also make stretch marks less noticeable with a variety of treatments.