You’re probably concerned about stretch marks whether you’re contemplating a pregnancy or are already pregnant. Stretch marks affect more than half of pregnant women, so your concerns are justified.

Stretch marks are red, pink, or purple lines that appear between weeks 13 and 21, but can appear at any time between conception and delivery. Stretch marks are most commonly found on the belly button, but they can also be found on the breasts, arms, thighs, and hips. Stretch marks do not disappear on their own, thus many women must conceal them for the rest of their lives.

Stretch Marks: What Causes Them?

Stretch marks appear when the lowest layers of the skin rupture as a result of considerable body changes. Stretch marks can develop as a result of the rapid development and change that occurs during pregnancy, although they are not fully caused by pregnancy. They’re also seen on people who are gaining or losing weight, children who are going through growth spurts, and weightlifters who are rapidly acquiring muscle.

There are several layers to the skin. The epidermis is the skin’s uppermost, touchable layer. Underneath the epidermis is the dermis. The dermis is where stretch marks appear. Stretch marks are caused by dermal ripping that does not bleed or scab like an exterior cut, but the damage is visible as stretch marks. Tears heal, but they leave scars. Stretch marks are initially red, but they fade to white with time.

Stretch Marks Symptoms

It’s probably too late to do anything about stretch marks if you wait until you notice symptoms before taking actions to prevent them. Some people complain of itching before stretch marks show. Stretch marks, on the other hand, frequently form without any symptoms.

Stretch Marks: How to Avoid Them

Preventing stretch marks from forming in the first place is the greatest way to live a life free of them, and the best approach to prevent stretch marks is to enhance your skin’s suppleness. When stretched, soft, pliable skin should be less likely to tear. You may enhance skin elasticity while pregnant in a number of ways that are both healthy for you and your baby:

Avoid gaining too much weight: When you’re pregnant, the phrase “eat for two” can feel like a free licence to eat as much as you want and gain as much weight as you want. Stretch marks are more likely to appear if you gain weight that isn’t related to the growing foetus in your uterus.

Use a stretch mark prevention lotion: Applied twice a day all over your body during your pregnancy, a stretch mark prevention lotion can help prevent stretch marks by encouraging skin suppleness. Make sure, though, that the lotion or product you purchase doesn’t include any chemicals that could be harmful to your baby. Look for pregnancy stretch mark lotion in Malaysia.

Drink plenty of water: If you drink the proper quantity of water each day, your skin will stay hydrated, and hydrated skin is less likely to tear.

A protein found in your body, collagen aids in wound healing and skin suppleness. Eat foods that encourage collagen formation. Make sure your diet is high in vitamin C, green vegetables , and low-fat proteins to encourage collagen formation.

Avoid sunbathing and tanning: UV radiation from the sun and tanning damage collagen in the skin, making it more brittle and prone to tearing. As a result, you should avoid sunbathing and tanning while pregnant. If you must be outside in the sun, make sure you use sunscreen.