Beauty Articles

During gestation, Striae gravidarium, or stretch marks, is the most terrible thing that can go wrong for a number of women. Fifty to ninety percent of the total expectant mothers will receive some kind of visible markings during their term. It can develop on the hips and thighs, breasts, and butt but is most commonly found on the lower stomach area. Stretch marks are caused by collagen being separated in the skin. In the later months of pregnancy they can be a bright red or a darker nearly purplish color.

Striae gravidarium can be dry and irritated as well as ugly even though they are not always painful. They are caused when the epidermis is expanded and altered faster than the collagen fibers can sustain it. Unfortunately, the chance of being affected by stretch marks is mostly genetic. If your mother and aunts or sisters were affected by them, there is a high risk that you will be affected by them also. Life choices, diet, and activity level are other components that cause stretch marks besides genetics.

To avert and prevent striae gravidarium women need to try to make their epidermis as flexible as possible. Drinking plenty of water daily assures well hydrated skin that pulls more easily. To fortify the immune system and maintain skin at maximum health it is suggested to take 1000mg of vitamin C every day. To prevent skin spots and worsening marks when exposed to the sun, use a sunblocker when going outdoors. Applying a moisturizer to keep the skin moist and supple is also suggested. Participating in anti-streesing activities such as stretching or aerobic exercise will keep the skin from becoming damaged because of stress.

There are some things you can do to promote the pliancy of your skin even though it is mainly a genetic problem. Besides trying to maintain weight (which, during pregnancy, is not recommended for the baby's sake) women can promote healthy skin by working out regularly, even during pregnancy. Women will of course have to change their physical routine while they are pregnant, but low impact and light aerobic exercising is good for both mother and child. Pregnant women should eat as nutritiously as possible by eating nutritious foods, controlling carbonated beverage consumption, limiting caffeine consumption, and staying away from alcoholic beverages and coffee. Cigarettes should also be avoided by expectant mothers.

Stretch marks can appear in obese people and body builders also. The skin does not have long enough to acclimate to shifts in weight when the body changes rapidly. Body builders will get them as a result of developing muscle too rapidly. Somebody can also get them from applying creams and solutions that have steroids for a long period of time. The fortunate news is that they will usually recede and grow fainter in color after a period of time.

Many products claim to make stretch marks dissipate and vanish by recovering and preventing them from coming initially. These products may do a trivial amount of good but are generally not proven to be effective for any permanent effects. There are many surgical techniques, but they can be drawn out and very costly. Sometimes seeing a physician may be the only way to minimize stretch marks for some women. Commonly, because the body still has some growing or changing still to do, this kind of surgical procedure is not advised until later.