Stretchmarks are the result of tearing of the elastic tissue of the skin caused by too much stretch. The weight gain during pregnancy is a major factor in the formation of stretch marks on the thighs, abdomen but also on the chest. The weight gain, coupled with a disruption of hormonal balance of the pregnant woman is the main cause of stretch marks.
The stretchmarks appear during the advanced stages of pregnancy and even after you regain your figure, they do not always disappear completely: in fact, some skins are less resilient than others and will remain forever marked.
The formation of stretchmarks is first manifested by the appearance of pink, blue or white lines, reflecting the stretching of the skin and its cracking. The stretchmarks are often arranged parallel to each other and they do not disappear after childbirth, unfortunately. At the time the weight gain is substantial, the formation of the strechmarks is more substantial and they tend to remain there forever.
How to limit the formation of stretch marks?
There is no magic bullet against the formation of stretchmarks during pregnancy. The genetic predispositions lead some women to face more strechmarks during pregnancy than others and they cannot do much: a skin that is not elastic will suffer because of the kilos gained during pregnancy and will remain marked after the birth of the child.
Some actions or precautions will however limit the damage. The main prevention against the formation of stretchmarks is to prevent excessive weight gain to limit the tension on the skin, causing tears in the fabric: you should eat a balanced, complete diet, ban snacking, do not give too easily to temptation if you’re hungry and drink plenty of water.
The proper hydration of the skin can also make the skin more elastic and thus less prone to stretchmarks. You should try to massage daily on your most exposed parts (thigh, abdomen, breasts) with a special cream (sold in pharmacies) or with sweet almond oil. The results vary from one skin to another.
If the stretchmarks formed after your pregnancies don’t get better, you should talk to your gynecologist who will eventually direct you to a dermatologist. There a dermatological care and treatment with vitamin A may be prescribed. There are also techniques available that allow the reduction of the stretchmarks, such as the laser treatment. All you need to do is to consult a dermatologist and ask about their effectiveness for your particular case.