Beauty Articles

During pregnancy, Striae gravidarium, or stretch marks, is the worst thing that can happen for a lot of women. This is a common event during pregnancy, with 50-90% of all expectant mothers getting some type of visible marks. It usually shows up on the lower stomach area but can appear on the hips and thighs, on the breasts, and on the buttocks. When collagen is seperated from the skin it forms striae gravidarium. In the latter months of pregnancy they can be a dark red or a darker almost purplish hue.

Even though stretch marks are generally a genetic disorder, there are several activities you can do to encourage maximum pliancy of the skin. Besides attempting to maintain weight (which, during pregnancy, is not recommended for the child's welfare) women can promote healthy skin by working out regularly, even during the gestation period. Low impact and light aerobic physical activities are modified activities that women can perform that are healthy for mother and child as well. Pregnant women should eat as nutritiously as possible by eating nutritious foods, limiting carbonated beverage consumption, decreasing caffeine consumption, and avoiding alcoholic drinks and coffee. Cigarettes should also be avoided by expectant women.

Stretch marks can appear in overweight people and weight lifters also. The skin does not have enough time to readjust to fluctuations in weight when the body changes rapidly. Weight lifters will get them as a result of gaining muscle too fast. A person can also get them from using creams and solutions that have steroids for a long amount of time. The fortunate news is that even though they may be darker in color at first, they will usually fade and become fainter and less noticeable after a few months.

Striae gravidarium is not harmful but can often be irritated or dry and certainly can be unsightly. They are caused when the epidermis is extended and altered more quickly than the collagen fibers can handle it. Unfortunately, the probability of getting striae gravidarium is mostly genetic. If your mom and aunt or siblings had them, there is a high risk that you will be affected by them too. Lifestyle, nutrition, and physical activity level are other factors that affect stretch marks besides genetics.

Women should make their epidermis as elastic as possible to counter and avert striae gravidarium. Consuming lots of water daily assures well hydrated skin that pulls more easily. 1000 mg of vitamin C per day is recommended to strengthen the immune system and maintain the skin at top health. Use a sunblocker when going outside to prevent spotting and highlighting marks. Putting on a moisturizing cream to keep the skin moist and supple is also suggested. Taking part in anti-streesing activities such as stretching or aerobic exercise will prevent the skin from breaking down because of stress.

A variety of products promise to make stretch marks dissipate and vanish by healing and keeping them from coming initially. These products may do a little good but are usually not proven to be good for any permanent effects. There are many surgical procedures, but they can be time consuming and very expensive. Sometimes seeing a doctor may be the only way to minimize stretch marks for some women. This kind of surgery is not advised until later because many times the body will still have some growing or alternating to do.