Pregnancy Stretch Marks
Pregnancy stretch marks are very common in pregnant women. Stretch marks usually appear in form of scars and they are known to be a source of discomfort in many women. They might not be a problem when you are pregnant, but once you give birth and you are ready to resume normal activities they will be distressing. This is because stretch marks are lighter than your skin tone, making it hard to wear revealing clothes. Fortunately, stretch marks will fade over time. It is also possible to hasten the process so you can enjoy your life once more. However, the best thing is to make sure the stretch marks never appear in the first place.
Causes of Pregnancy Stretch Marks
During pregnancy, a woman will undergo rapid body changes. These changes cause the skin to stretch, causing stretch marks to appear on your body. The skin will not have enough time to adjust to the rapid weight increase and that causes the skin to tear and stretch marks appear on areas such as breasts, buttocks, legs and hips. Another cause of skin tearing during pregnancy is hormonal changes. Production of hormones will usually increase during pregnancy. These hormones cause more water to move to the skin, making the skin more prone to tearing.
When Do Pregnancy Stretch Marks form?
Pregnancy stretch marks usually start to appear on the sixth and seventh month of pregnancy. This is the time when the belly has grown fully, stretching the skin to the maximum. This causes the skin to tear, hence the stretch marks. If your skin is light the stretch marks will be pink, and you have a dark skin they will be lighter than the surrounding skin.
Pregnancy stretch marks usually appear on the abdomen, although they can appear on the thighs, buttocks, hips, breasts and lower back. However, they can appear on any other part of the body as long as the skin is stretched. For instance, they can appear under your arms where a large amount of fat is stored.
If you are pregnant, it is crucial to know how to prevent pregnancy stretch marks from happening in the first place. The key thing is to try to improve the elasticity of your skin so it does not tear when you start to expand. Applying bio-oil will be of great help since bio-oil is known to improve skin elasticity as well as keep your skin hydrated all time. Start applying the oil as soon as you get pregnant and your body will be able to withstand the contractions and expansions which come with pregnancy.
You will also need to take a hot shower twice every day, in the morning and in the evening. The hot shower helps to open the pores of your skin, and this allows the skin to stretch more easily. Make sure to apply cocoa butter on your body after the shower. You should also try to eat less food to avoid gaining weight.
Pregnancy stretch marks can be very uncomfortable for women. They usually occur because of body changes that come with pregnancy. Fortunately, it is possible to avoid them. Apply oils and drink a lot of water to increase skin elasticity. If they appear, they can be treated using coca butter, medications as well as laser therapy.