Pregnancy Stretch Marks

Oh, the joys of pregnancy. Eating as much ice cream as you like, begging off the hard jobs because you're too delicate, and shopping for cute little baby outfits. There is a downside, however. And it's known as stretch marks. This is an unsightly condition that many women experience during pregnancy, even though they wish they didn't have to. Stretch marks aren't dangerous to your health, though. They're just ugly.

Since time began, women have developed these reddish lines on their abdomens as they create a new life inside them. As your baby grows within you, it requires more space in which to move around. So the outer lining of your uterus expands accordingly, along with the skin on the surface. This is just too much for your skin to handle, and it becomes damaged as the swelling increases. This results in streaky stretch marks. They vary in color from pink to purple to brown depending on your skin tone.

Back in the day there was absolutely nothing a woman could do about the problem. Fortunately, these days there are a number of treatment options available to help you deal with stretch marks. From creams and lotions to cosmetic surgery, many women will try anything to get rid of stretch marks.

Some women are fortunate enough not to develop stretch marks during their pregnancy. However, similar to heartburn, nausea and frequent trips to the bathroom, they often can't be avoided. Sometimes the stretch marks will disappear by themselves. It doesn't happen very often, but it is possible. Every pregnancy is unique, and so is each person's experience with stretch marks. Perhaps you developed a lot of stretch marks in your first pregnancy, but the second time around nothing changed at all. And it isn't necessary genetic, either. Even if your mom didn't get stretch marks, don't count on the same thing happening to you.

However, there is an upside to pregnancy related stretch marks, believe it or not. In the end, you experience the miracle of giving birth to a wonderful new baby, a treasure that you have nurtured for months inside you. Keep this in mind as you try out some of the stretch mark removal options that are available. Even if you can't completely eradicate them, consider your stretch marks to be a symbol of achievement in bringing a child into the world.

Can you prevent stretch marks during pregnancy? Dermatologists will say no. Stretch marks are a natural response to skin that becomes stretched beyond its capabilities, and there isn't a cream out there that can stop it. However, stretch mark creams and lotions might be able to minimize the damage because they keep your skin well moisturized and more elastic.

Regardless, you can't do any damage by using a stretch mark cream during pregnancy. Numerous women are convinced that they avoid the problem by applying these products to their bodies. Their doctors might disagree, pointing out that that it's probably only a coincidence. However, no one knows for absolute sure. So go ahead and try it. If nothing else, your skin will be gloriously soft and smooth. This is fantastic for relieving the itchiness and tightened skin that many women experience during their pregnancies. And if the doctors are wrong, a good pregnancy stretch mark cream might prevent the condition completely.

There's another good way to prevent stretch marks during pregnancy, though. It's called good nutrition. Your skin is only as healthy as the food you eat. If you want the smoothest, most unblemished skin you can possibly get, you must eat healthfully and drink lots of water. Water in particular is important. The more water you take in, the less chance there is of your skin tearing and causing stretch marks.

If despite your best efforts in slathering on cream and eating properly, you still end up with those ugly marks on your hips and abdomen, there's still a way to cover them up. Many women swear by apply self tanner to them, which they claim helps to even out the skin tone, thereby hiding the stretch marks. However, through the course of time, your stretch marks will start to fade to a silvery white, and then become almost invisible.

Stretch mark creams aren't just for preventing stretch marks. There are many products that claim to lighten and even eliminate them after they make their appearance. Some of these are more effective than others. A good stretch mark removal cream will include collagen and elastin in the list of ingredients. These are two components of normal healthy skin that provide elasticity and fullness. Amino acids and soy protein are other compounds that are considered to be effective at diminishing the appearance of stretch marks. Some of the name brands that show a lot of promise in terms of removing stretch marks are Trilastin, NuVectin and Revitol.

Another option to consider is surgery for stretch marks. The most effective procedure used is the tummy tuck, which has a very high success rate. However, this is both an invasive and expensive procedure. The surgeon removes excess skin and then stitches you back together in order to make your skin firmer and tighter. There will be scars, but they are generally only noticeable for a few months before fading away. The price tag? It can vary anywhere from $4,000 to over $7,000, depending where you live and the skill of the surgeon.

Laser surgery is another surgical option that is less invasive as well as lest costly. It's a relatively simple procedure that has few if any side effects associated with it. It involves the use of a laser, a beam of light which is shone on the stretch marks. This results in layers of your skin be slowly removed, diminishing the appearance of the stretch marks considerably. You won't see results in just one session, though. It will take several treatments to take care of the problem, depending on the age and severity of your marks.