Share Preventing stretch marks Pinterest RPeventing seeds are a karks Preventing stretch marks of omega By Energy boosters for athletes Clinic Staff. Because rapid weight gain and weight loss can cause stretch marks, aim to maintain a healthy diet and get regular exercise to prevent rapid weight fluctuations. International Business Collaborations.

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Light and laser therapy. Likewise, laser and light therapies can also stimulate collagen production as well as improve elasticity. Microneedling, microdermabrasion, and hyaluronic acid. Other dermatological treatments include microneedling and microdermabrasion, which could promote collagen growth and help the stretch marks blend into the surrounding skin.

Applying hyaluronic acid daily may also help prevent and treat the appearance of stretch marks. Pregnancy stretch marks are caused by stretching of the skin, which can be affected by hormonal levels and genetics.

When you're pregnant, levels of cortisol increase, which weakens the elasticity in your skin. As your body grows to make room for your developing baby, the stress on your skin with weakened elasticity can lead to stretch marks. But not everyone experiences pregnancy stretch marks, so genetics are also a factor.

Read our article for possible prevention and treatment options. However, there are some precautions you can take to help reduce your risk of stretch marks. We list more in our article, but some include.

This is when your belly bump starts to grow more rapidly, putting extra stress on the skin as it stretches to accommodate your developing baby and uterus. Stretch marks typically fade after pregnancy, but they may not completely disappear.

Read our article and consult your healthcare provider to learn about your options. Rest assured that they do tend to fade as time goes on—though possibly not completely—and read our article to learn some ways to soothe your skin during and after pregnancy.

More than half of all pregnant people experience stretch marks, a natural result of your skin stretching to make way for a developing baby and uterus. But pregnancy stretch marks are out of your control, as hormones, genetics, and even skin type can impact whether you get them and influence their overall appearance.

However, you can take a few precautions and opt for certain treatments to reduce your risk and improve the appearance of stretch marks postpartum. For example, during your pregnancy, try to keep your skin moisturized, stay hydrated, and maintain a healthy diet.

And if you want to address stretch marks after pregnancy, talk to your healthcare provider about potential remedies, such as retinoid creams, laser therapy, or dermatological treatments. Skip to home Skip to main content Skip to search. All About Pregnancy Stretch Marks Updated September 19, Article duration.

The information and materials contained on this website are not intended to constitute a comprehensive guide concerning all aspects of the therapy, product or treatment described on the website. All users are urged to always seek advice from a registered health care professional for diagnosis and answers to their medical questions and to ascertain whether the particular therapy, service, product or treatment described on the website is suitable in their circumstances.

The State of Victoria and the Department of Health shall not bear any liability for reliance by any user on the materials contained on this website. Skip to main content. Home Skin. Stretch marks. Actions for this page Listen Print. Summary Read the full fact sheet.

On this page. Structure of the skin Development of a stretch mark Prevention and treatment of stretch marks Where to get help. Structure of the skin The visible layer of skin epidermis is made from several sheets of cells and functions as a barrier for the underlying tissue. Development of a stretch mark A stretch mark is formed when: The skin is stretched as a consequence of underlying tissue expansion.

There is an inflammatory reaction in the skin that is responsible for the characteristic red or purple colour. The inflammation eventually fades and is replaced by scar tissue. This produces a thinned epidermis, loss of dermal elastin, and a replacement of the dermis by abnormally dense collagen fibres.

Curious what causes them, where they might pop up and how to prevent stretch marks during pregnancy? According to the American Academy of Dermatology Association AAD , stretch marks are scars that develop when the skin stretches or shrinks rapidly—and with your ever-growing baby bump, your skin is being stretched constantly throughout pregnancy.

This quick change results in small ruptures to the collagen and elastin within the skin, and the scars that form as the skin heals are stretch marks. That said, not everyone will get stretch marks during pregnancy.

Your likelihood depends on a few factors:. Hormonal changes during pregnancy: According to the American Pregnancy Association APA , the increased level of hormones during pregnancy relaxes the bonds between collagen fibers within the skin, making it easier for the skin to tear when stretched.

Genetics: Your risk of getting pregnancy stretch marks might be higher if others in your family get them, the AAD says. So, if your mom, sister or aunt has stretch marks, odds are you will too. The one common theme among all four factors? Almost all of them are entirely out of your control.

Pregnancy stretch marks are often red, pink, purple, reddish-brown or brown, depending on your skin tone, the AAD says. Keep in mind the itching from pregnancy stretch marks should be mild.

If you experience extreme itchy stretch marks during pregnancy or notice a rash on your abdomen or other parts of the body , flag it to your ob-gyn, Mustaleski says. Extreme itchiness could be a sign of another pregnancy skin condition called a PUPPP rash.

Other parts of the body you might find stretch marks from pregnancy include the hips, upper thighs, breasts and upper arms. As for when stretch marks appear in pregnancy, according to Christine Greves , MD, an ob-gyn in Orlando, Florida, most pregnant people will start to notice stretch marks by the start of the third trimester.

Some people, however, may not see them until the middle of the third trimester, Mustaleski adds, while others may start seeing them as soon as their bump starts growing, the APA notes.

The question is frequently asked: Can you prevent stretch marks during pregnancy? Unfortunately, there are no surefire ways. That said, there may be some ways to help early pregnancy stretch marks heal so as to minimize their appearance later on, Greves notes. Just remember that stretch marks are a completely natural part of pregnancy and are nothing to be ashamed of.

Drinking water during pregnancy is important for several reasons. Along with drinking enough water, make sure to pay attention to your diet. There are plenty of stretch mark creams on the market designed to minimize the appearance of pregnancy stretch marks.

According to the AAD, creams with hyaluronic acid may also help, as it was found to boost skin collagen production in a recent and study. Along with picking a pregnancy-safe product that hydrates your skin, the AAD also notes that early intervention may be important, as using moisturizers on early pregnancy stretch marks might have more of an effect than on mature stretch marks.

Take the time to really massage the product into your skin and use it every day for weeks, the org notes, as results may take a while to appear. And resist the urge to scratch, Greves says. Instead, try finding some relief by applying moisturizer to the area.

However, they will fade over time and become less noticeable. It can be challenging to come to terms with all the bodily changes pregnancy brings.

We believe you should always know Pteventing source of the information you're reading. Learn more Lean muscle development our Preventing stretch marks and medical stretcj policies. April Harmony, Latest Preeventing Preventing stretch marks more Stocksy Srretch out what causes stretch marks during pregnancy, how you can deal with these classic souvenirs of maternity and what you can do about them. Back to Top In This Article What trimester do pregnant women develop stretch marks? What causes stretch marks during pregnancy? What can I do about stretch marks when I'm pregnant? Can I prevent stretch marks?