Beauty Articles

For a number of women, the most horrible thing that can happen to them during gestation is Striae gravidarium, or stretch marks. This is a common occurrence during pregnancy, with 50-90% of all expectant mothers being affected by some type of apparent markings. It can appear on the hips and thighs, breasts, and butt but is most generally found on the lower abdomen. Striae gravidarium are caused by collagen being separated in the skin. In the later period of pregnancy they can be a dark red or a deeper nearly purplish hue.

Striae gravidarium can develop in obese people and weight lifters also. The skin does not have enough time to adapt to shifts in weight when the body changes rapidly. Building muscle too rapidly results in striae gravidarium for body builders. Somebody can also get them from applying creams and solutions that contain steroids for a long period of time. The fortunate news is that they will generally fade and grow fainter in color after a period of time.

Even though stretch marks are mostly a hereditary problem, there are several activities you can do to promote the most pliancy of the epidermis. Besides trying to maintain weight (which, while pregnant, is not advisable for the baby's welfare) women can encourage healthy skin by exercising regularly, even during the gestation period. Low impact and light aerobic physical activities are adapted activities that women can perform that are healthy for mother and child as well. 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. Expectant mothers should also avoid cigarettes during the whole pregnancy period.

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 changed more quickly than the collagen fibers can handle it. Genetics, unfortunately for some, is the main factor when it comes to getting stretch marks. If your mother and aunt or siblings were affected by them, there is a high risk that you will be affected by them too. Besides heredity, other factors that cause stretch marks are diet, physical activity level, and lifestyles.

To avert and prevent stretch marks women should try to make their skin as elastic as possible. Drinking lots of water daily gaurantees well hydrated skin that pulls more easily. 1000 mg of vitamin C per day is advised to fortify the immune system and maintain the skin at maximum health. To avoid spotting and highlighting marks when exposed to the sun, use a sunscreen when going outside. Putting on a moisturizer to keep the skin hydrated and supple is also advisable. Participating in destressing activities such as stretching or cardiovascular exercise will prevent the skin from breaking down because of stress.

There are a number of products in the world that promise to be able to prevent and heal striae gravidarium to make them vanish and disappear. While generally unproven to have any permanent effects, some may do a trivial amount of good. Surgical options are expensive and time consuming. For a number of women the one way to counter stretch marks is to get the help of a doctor. This type of surgery is not suggested until later because many times the body will still have some growing or alternating to do.