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For a number of expectant mothers, the most horrible thing that can go wrong to them during gestation is Striae gravidarium, or stretch marks. 50 to 90% of the total expecting mothers will get some type of visible markings during pregnancy. It can show up on the hips and thighs, breasts, and butt but is most generally found on the lower stomach area. When collagen is seperated from the skin it forms stretch marks. In the latter months of gestation they can be a dark red or a darker almost purplish color. There are some things you can do to maximize the flexibility of the epidermis even though it is mostly a hereditary problem. Even during the gestation period women can routinely exercise to maximize healthy skin. Low impact and light aerobic physical activities are modified activities that women can perform that are good for mother and child also. Avoiding coffee and alcohol, limiting consumption of caffeine and carbonated drinks, and eating as healthy as possible are steps that women should take during the gestation period. Pregnant mothers should also avoid smoking during the whole pregnancy period. Stretch marks can appear in obese people and weight lifters as well. With fast bodily changes, the skin does not have time enough to acclimate to the fluctuations in weight. Building muscle too rapidly results in striae gravidarium for body builders. Somebody can also get them from using creams and solutions that have steroids for an extended amount of time. The good news is that they will usually fade and grow lighter in color after a period of time. Stretch marks are not harmful but can often be irritated or dehydrated and certainly can be unsightly. They are caused when the epidermis is expanded and altered faster than the collagen fibers can handle it. Genetic make-up, which for some is too bad, is the key factor when it comes to getting stretch marks. If your mom and aunt or siblings were affected by them, there is a good chance that you will be affected by them as well. Besides heredity, other factors that cause stretch marks are nutrition, activity level, and lifestyles. To avert and prevent stretch marks women need to try to make their skin as elastic as possible. Well hydrated skin stretches more easily so be sure to consume lots of water each day. 1000 mg of vitamin C per day is recommended to strengthen the immune system and maintain the epidermis at maximum health. Apply a sunscreen when going outside to prevent skin spots and highlighting marks. Putting on a moisturizing cream to keep the skin moist and supple is also suggested. Taking part in destressing activities such as yoga or aerobic exercise will prevent the skin from becoming damaged because of stress. Many products claim to make stretch marks disappear and vanish by recovering and preventing them from coming initially. These products may do a little good but are usually not proven to be effective for any permanent effects. There are many surgical techniques, but they can be time consuming and costly. Sometimes seeing a physician may be the only way to counter striae gravidarium for some women. This type of surgical procedure is not suggested until later because often the body will still have some growing or changing to do.
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