Removal, Treatment & Prevention of stretch marks
Nobody wants to develop stretch marks, but when you're pregnant you know that, along with nausea, fatigue, backaches and frequent urination, stretch marks are another distinct, unpleasant possibility. Most women who have gone through the rigors of pregnancy have a permanent reminder - stretch marks.
Statistics reveal that between 75 and 90 percent of all pregnant women develop stretch marks during pregnancy. These marks appear as red or dark horizontal threads along the skin during the sixth and seventh month of pregnancy. Also, if proper measures are not taken then it may become permanent scars.
Stretch marks usually occur when skin stretches and expands quickly and beyond its limit. Unfortunately, stretch marks also show up on the areas such as upper thighs, buttocks, breasts and even arms, depending on the amount of weight gain and also your genetic history. Doctors believe that it is very important for the expecting mom to take steps for stretch mark prevention.
Factors that influence whether or not a pregnant woman will get stretch marks include-
- Heredity: If your mother had them, it is most likely you will have them too.
- Ethnicity: Women with greater amounts of melanin in their skin are less prone to stretch marks.
- Water: Keeping skin hydrated during pregnancy decreases the chance of getting stretch marks.
- Scratching: As your stomach expands, the skin may become scratchy. Do not scratch; instead, rub lotion or powder on to relieve the itchiness.
- Exercise: It is very important to exercise daily to keep skin supple and free from toxins. This helps in toning the skin and also increases its elasticity.
Stretch mark Prevention is Better than Treatment or Removal-
The best remedy for stretch marks, and the primary way for stretch mark prevention is to be careful during pregnancy. Apply generous amounts of rich moisturizing cream on your abdomen, thighs and breasts. Cocoa butter cream is a favorite among expecting mothers. This saturates your skin with moisture. They help to heal stretch marks by rebuilding the structure of your skin.
The use of concealing or camouflaging cosmetics on the affected area also reduces the visibility of the stretch mark scars. It is very vital to eat proper nutritious food so that you do not gain more weight than it is required.
Stretch Mark Treatment and Removal
One of the permanent solution that have come up in recent times is laser therapy. This is typically a simple procedure and usually requires little or no recovery time. Using lasers to remove stretch marks works because it repairs the skin's natural synthesis of collagen.
Cosmetic laser treatment works to stimulate renewed growth of depleted collagen. It removes damaged skin tissue, seals broken blood vessels and repairs the fibers of the middle skin. This can, however, be a relatively expensive option.
Blue light therapy is another option. This treatment uses gel and light to treat stretch marks. You may also consider plastic surgery for the permanent removal of your stretch marks. A new treatment is the use of chemical compounds called retinoids. Under proper medical supervision, they have yielded favorable results in the treatment of stretch marks.