Stretch Marks During Pregnancy: What They Are, Why They Occur, and Prevention Measures

Apart from the myriad of vivid, first-time emotions that pregnancy entails for a woman, carrying a baby is a time of various fears and worries related to the health status of both the unborn child and herself, the upcoming birth, as well as her appearance after the new family member arrives. 

Among them are whether it will be possible to lose excess weight after childbirth and prevent or, if necessary, quickly remove stretch marks that appear on the body as a result of changing its dimensions during pregnancy. It is a well-known axiom that an ailment or unpleasant consequences are always easier to prevent than to deal with them after the fact. Undoubtedly, there are many methods that can serve as a means of preventing stretch marks during pregnancy and, if they do appear, can help get rid of them effortlessly.

What are stretch marks

First of all, it’s essential to understand what stretch marks during pregnancy are and why they occur. In medical terms, these skin anomalies are known as “striae.” They appear like whip scars. The main culprit of these issues is a hormonal storm leading to intense stretching and damage to the elastic cells of the epidermis. This is due to a disruption in the synthesis of proteins – elastin and collagen, which give the skin stretchability, firmness, and contractility. Insufficient synthesis of these leads to the loss of the skin’s “rubber” properties and thinning. 

Skin defects, initially pale pink or purplish, appear on the abdomen, breasts, legs, buttocks, and thighs. Subsequently, they look like elongated folds ranging from 1-2 mm to several centimeters in width. On the breasts, stretch marks are usually white, covered with wrinkled epidermis, while on the abdomen, they are colorless due to the absence of pigment in the connective tissue cells.

Main Causes of Stretch Marks

There are many known reasons that influence the formation of stretch marks during pregnancy. They may not occur in isolation but rather combine and result from mechanical stretching, genetics, hormonal imbalance, and lack of physical activity. However, experts primarily cite rapid weight gain over a relatively short period as the main cause, leading to mechanical tension on the skin. Pregnant women’s breasts and abdomen are the most vulnerable to stretch marks. Their volume increases quickly, preventing the skin from stretching and regenerating adequately. 

Its upper layer thins, the subcutaneous tissue tears. After that, fat or connective tissue grows at the site of the micro-tear. This process creates striae. Blood vessels are visible through the thin layer of epidermis in the areas of stretch marks, giving the scars a purplish color. Over time, active blood flow stops, vessels become empty, and the tears become pale.

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Risk Factors During Pregnancy

Stretch marks during pregnancy are not an inevitable inconvenience that must happen to every woman. Their appearance is due to several factors, among which the amount of weight gained is not a determining one. Among the reasons that can trigger the development of stretch marks in pregnant women, specialists note:

• heredity – if a woman’s mother or grandmother had stretch marks during pregnancy, they are likely to appear in her as well;
• lack of a balanced diet – negatively affects skin condition;
• low physical activity – pronounced hypodynamia leads to inadequate functioning of the circulatory system, subjecting skin cells to oxygen deficiency and leading to more intensive occurrence of stretch marks during pregnancy;
• smoking – this harmful habit leads to loss of skin firmness and elasticity, significantly increasing the risk of stretch mark formation.

Factors also affecting the appearance of stretch marks

Excessive consumption of fried, spicy, and salty foods also negatively affects the synthesis of protein polymers. To reduce the risk of developing stretch marks during pregnancy, it’s necessary to exclude particularly harmful treats like candies, sweet pastries, chocolate, and uncontrolled sugar intake from the diet. It is possible to prevent the appearance of striae by avoiding vitamin deficiencies. Consuming sufficient quantities of fresh fruits and vegetables ensures that the body receives the necessary minerals and vitamins for future mothers, serving as a good prevention against striae.

Rapid weight gain is another cause of stretch marks. The speed of weight accumulation is directly proportional to the speed of their formation on the buttocks, breast, abdomen, and thighs. Stretch marks are also promoted by metabolic disorders, as well as the age of the expectant mother. The likelihood of striae appearing is high for women aged 18-30.

How to Prevent Stretch Marks

Avoiding stretch marks during pregnancy is easier than trying to remove them postpartum. Once they appear, it is difficult to completely get rid of them, even with cosmetic procedures and modern laser correction. Prevention of these blemishes is based on the following principles: 

• hydration;
• increasing physical activity;
• nutrition;
• maintaining skin elasticity with specialized clothing or underwear.

Experts advise, in order not to struggle with stretch marks on the legs, buttocks, and stomach later:

• to gain weight at a moderate pace, distributing the gain evenly over weeks and months, following a healthy diet;
• to perform water massages;
• to continue exercising;
• to drink plenty of water;
• to consume oatmeal;
• to avoid ultraviolet exposure;
• to wear a special support band and a comfortable supportive bra;
• use special oils and creams that moisturize the skin.

How to Get Rid of Skin Stretch Marks

If at any stage of pregnancy stretch marks appear on the buttocks, abdomen, chest, or legs, dealing with them quickly is unlikely. A gradual result, ensured by cosmetic methods, is fully achieved through a series of procedures. After several weeks or months, they lead to the fading and reduction in size of stretch marks in pregnant women. It’s worth starting to combat them immediately upon appearance, when the procedures are most effective.

The most effective ways to reduce the appearance of stretch marks include, among others:

• chemical peeling;
• mesotherapy;
• mechanical peeling;
• laser skin resurfacing;
• ozone therapy.

Hardware cosmetology methods will not only reduce the appearance of stretch marks but also make them almost invisible. Only plastic surgery can completely remove postnatal stretch marks.