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During gestation, Striae gravidarium, or stretch marks, is the most terrible thing that can happen for a variety of women. 50 to 90% of the total expectant mothers will be affected by some kind of visible marks during their term. It usually shows up on the lower abdomen but can appear on the hips and thighs, on the breasts, and on the buttocks. When collagen is torn apart from the skin it forms stretch marks. They can be light in appearance all the way to a dark red or even purplish color in the later period of gestation. Women should make their epidermis as flexible as possible to counter and avert stretch marks. Drinking lots of water each day gaurantees well hydrated skin that pulls more easily. 1000 mg of vitamin C daily is advised to strengthen the immune system and maintain the skin at top health. To avoid spotting and worsening marks when exposed to the sun, use a sunblocker when going outside. Applying a moisturizing cream to keep the skin hydrated and supple is also recommended. Taking part in anti-streesing activities such as yoga or cardiovascular exercise will keep the skin from becoming damaged because of stress. Overweight people and as bodybuilders can also get striae gravidarium. With rapid bodily changes, the skin does not have enough time to acclimate to the fluctuations in weight. Weight lifters will get them as a result of gaining muscle too quickly. Someone can also get them from using creams and solutions that contain steroids for a long amount of time. The good news is that even if they might be darker in appearance at first, they will usually recede and become fainter and less obvious after a few months. Striae gravidarium can be dry and itchy as well as unsightly even though they are not painful. They are caused when the epidermis is extended and altered more quickly than the collagen fibers can sustain it. Unfortunately, the possibility of getting stretch marks is largely genetic. If your mother and aunts or siblings were affected by them, there is a high chance that you will be affected by them also. Life choices, eating habits, and activity level are other factors that cause stretch marks besides genetics. There are many things you can do to promote the elasticity of your skin even though it is mainly a genetic disorder. Besides attempting to maintain weight (which, during pregnancy, is not recommended for the baby's welfare) women can promote healthy skin by exercising frequently, even during the gestation period. Low impact and less intensive aerobic physical activities are adapted activities that women can perform that are good for mother and child also. Staying away from coffee and booze, controlling consumption of caffeine and carbonated beverages, and eating as nutritiously as possible are steps that ladies should take during the gestation period. Smoking should also be avoided by expectant mothers. There are many of products available that promise to be able to prevent and heal stretch marks to make them vanish and disappear. While usually not proven to have any lasting effects, some of them may do a little good. There are many surgical techniques, but they can be time consuming and very expensive. For a number of women the only way to counter stretch marks is to get the help of a physician. This kind of surgical procedure is not recommended until later because many times the body will still have some growing or alternating to do.
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