Your life will change so much after having a baby , right? Your sleeping patterns, your eating habits, your entire day will now be planned around your little one. Along with all this, your body will also experience many unexpected changes. Among these, one of the most common and annoying things for many mothers is the appearance of stretch marks. Some people also call these stretch marks. In fact, just like diapers and feeding your baby, stretch marks are a part of the journey of becoming a mother.
How does a stretch mark form?
Simply put, your body, especially your belly, grows very quickly during pregnancy. But this problem occurs when your skin can't stretch at the same rate. Think of what happens when you suddenly pull a rubber band too hard. It breaks, right? Similarly, there is a network of fine fibers (elastic fibers) under our skin that give it flexibility. As the body grows rapidly, these fibers break. Those broken areas are what we see as lines.
During the 9 months of pregnancy, a woman with a healthy weight usually gains between 11-16 kg. Due to such rapid growth, the chances of developing stretch marks are very high. The stomach and breasts in particular grow the most during this period. Therefore, they are most commonly seen in those areas. Not only that, these lines can also appear on the thighs, buttocks, and upper arms .
At first, these stripes start out as a reddish-purple color. But after the baby is born, their color gradually fades over time and turns into a whitish-gray color.
Experts say that rather than gaining weight all at once, gaining weight gradually and steadily throughout pregnancy can help to control the appearance of stretch marks to some extent. This means that it is important to control not only how much weight you gain, but also how quickly you gain it.
Who gets these stretch marks?
If you have stretch marks, don't worry. You're not alone. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, about 90% of pregnant women develop these lines by the sixth or seventh month of pregnancy.
There is also a genetic influence to this. Simply put, if your mother had stretch marks , you are more likely to get them too. It's something that runs in the family.
Also, your skin tone also affects how these lines appear.
- People with light skin (white skin) are more likely to develop pink streaks.
- For people with dark skin , the most common color to see is a lighter shade than their skin tone.
Can these really be prevented?
This is the biggest problem for many people. Unfortunately, there is no way to completely prevent this 100%.
You've probably seen all sorts of creams , lotions, and oils on the market that claim to "prevent stretch marks." But the truth is, none of them can completely prevent them. Don't be fooled by the big name on the bottle.
However, that doesn't mean there's no benefit to using these things.
- Keep your skin moisturized: It is very important to use a good moisturizer or lotion that moisturizes the skin daily. This will provide great relief from the unbearable itching that comes with pregnancy. It also helps to keep the skin smooth and healthy.
- Drink plenty of water: Drinking plenty of water throughout the day is great for your overall health, as well as your skin. This helps prevent dry skin .
Things you can do to fade stretch marks
Some stretch marks fade over time and become barely visible silvery streaks. However, some may remain dark. The best time to treat these is when they are new and red/purple. Treatment at that time may be more effective than when they are old and white.
Some of the current treatments are listed in the table below.
| Treatment method | Find out about it. |
|---|---|
| Special gels | Gels containing onion extract and hyaluronic acid may be helpful for some people. One study showed that using them daily for 12 weeks helped to fade lines. |
| Retinoid Cream | These should be prescribed by a doctor. They speed up skin cell renewal and stimulate collagen production. Very important: These are strictly prohibited during pregnancy and breastfeeding. |
| Laser Therapy | This is a treatment performed in a dermatology clinic. It involves applying heat to the skin to stimulate collagen growth. Several treatments may be required for optimal results. |
| Dermabrasion | This is also a treatment that gently removes the surface layer of the skin and allows new skin to emerge. However, it is difficult to expect a big change. |
Before deciding on treatment...
Before starting any treatment, it's important to talk to your doctor , especially a dermatologist. Only a doctor can recommend the best treatment for your skin type, the condition of your stretch marks, and your overall health.
Finally, some mothers do not seek any treatment for this, but accept these lines lovingly as part of their new life and new body. It will also be a great relief to think, "My body has changed with new responsibilities, and these lines are a beautiful sign of that."
Take-Home Message
- Stretch marks are very normal and common during pregnancy. There is no need to be ashamed or sad about them.
- These occur because the skin is unable to stretch as quickly as the body grows.
- There is no miracle cream or lotion that will completely prevent the formation of stretch marks.
- Keeping the skin moisturized can help reduce discomforts such as itchy skin during pregnancy.
- There are treatments that can help fade these lines. Treatment is most effective for newly formed red/purple lines.
- Before starting any treatment, be sure to consult your doctor.
- Lovingly accepting these lines as a beautiful sign of your wonderful experience as a mother is also very important for your mental well-being.
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