Stretch marks are the dreaded result of most pregnant bellies. They can be purple, white or red and look like wavy lines all in a row across the skin.
Stretch marks are the dreaded result of most pregnant bellies. They can be purple, white or red and look like wavy lines all in a row across the skin. They are caused by rapid weight gain that stretches the skin. This article will go over prevention and how to make them less noticeable or if this is even possible.
Rapid weight gain and stretching skin can cause stretch marks to appear on your lower stomach, thighs, and breasts during pregnancy. The bottom layers of the skin stretch and the fibers tear creating purple, white or red lines. Stretch marks are permanent, but can be less noticeable once the weight gain is lost and the skin shrinks back to normal. Some women find that if they get a tan the stretch marks will be less noticeable.
Basically, stretch marks are genetic. Some people have more elastic skin than others and they will not get any stretch marks, other people will get a few and some people get a ton. Studies are being done to find out why some people have more elastic skin than others. Genetics, again, are the driving force, but nutrition may also play a part in how elastic the skin is. Your nutritional history is important; this means how well you have eaten since your childhood can effect your skin as an adult.
Even though stretch marks seem to be inevitable for many people, keeping the skin moist is one of the best ways to prevent them. Do not spend a lot of money on expensive creams for stretch marks. Using olive oil and aloe vera gel mixed together applied to the belly, thighs and breasts daily can prevent stretch marks as well as any expensive cream can. An elastin cream can also help keep the skin moist, or one of your favorite lotions. We can't really be sure if using a lotion works because if you don't get stretch marks it maybe you just were not genetically predisposed to getting them anyway. And, some people think that the creams are working and then in the last trimester when the stretching is at its limit they get a ton of stretch marks suddenly.
But, even if the stretch marks are inevitable, a massage of lotion once a day from a loved one can't do any harm! So give it a try!
