How to Prevent Stretch Marks

If you have pregnancy stretch marks, or think you might get them and want to know how to prevent them, then you're not alone. More than half of women who have babies get stretch marks during pregnancy. In fact, it almost seems inevitable. Stretch marks generally appear on your abdomen as it swells during month six or seven of pregnancy, but they can also show up on other areas that get larger, such as your arms, thighs, hips, back, breasts and buttocks. Fatty areas of the body are most prone to this problem, so that's where you need to focus when preventing stretch marks.

Causes
The first step in preventing stretch marks is understanding what causes them and who is most affected. Stretch marks are aptly named. They result from tearing of the skin when it is stretched beyond its limit. This actually happens under the skin as collagen deposits split apart. Many methods of preventing this stretching and tearing rely on slowing or stopping this process. When the tears heal, you get scar tissue, which shows up as distinctive streaks of red, pink, purple or dark brown. They can range anywhere from 1/10 of an inch to 4 inches in width.

Who Gets Them
Not everyone has to worry about stretch marks. They are more common in fair-skinned women, and there is also a genetic disposition towards them. If the women in your family have all had them, then you should start thinking about preventing them. Weight gain, dry skin and poor nutrition all affect the skin's ability to stretch. If you are carrying more than one baby or your baby is large, then you may also be prone to stretch marks.

Creams May Help
There are several methods that help to slow or prevent stretch marks. Since they result from dry skin, it's a good idea to keep your skin moisturized. This is especially important during the first three months of pregnancy. Use moisturizer liberally during this period and be sure to get an oil or cream that's specially formulated for preventing stretch marks. These products contain substances such as Vitamin A, Vitamin E, cocoa butter, lanolin or wheat-germ oil which nourish the skin and help to keep it supple. Increasing the circulation to your skin can also help. The way to do that is to massage your skin with a body brush or a washcloth.

Diet Is Vital
A healthy diet is important if you are trying to ward off stretch marks. Good nutrition is important for your baby and for the condition of your skin. Eating the right fruits and vegetables will help your skin cope better with stretching and will help you recover more quickly after you have given birth. Foods containing zinc, silica, Vitamin C and Vitamin E are very important, as are leafy green vegetables such as spinach. Drinking plenty of water will also help.

Watch Your Weight
One way to escape unsightly stretch marks is to limit the amount of weight you gain during pregnancy. Don't diet, but forget about eating for two and follow sensible eating guidelines instead.

Nutrition, moisturizers and watching your weight are all proven methods of preventing stretch marks, but they don't work for everyone. If you get stretch marks anyway, then you need to focus on keeping them from remaining unsightly. Some ointments may be applied to the affected areas after giving birth, stopping them from developing when the skin shrinks. These are not always safe for use while breastfeeding, as they may affect your milk and your baby's nutrition.

Removing Stretch Marks
A popular method of removing stretch marks is to use laser treatments to repair the collagen under the skin. This is a quick process and it doesn't take long to recover. Some people who have unsightly stretch marks or scarring use cosmetic surgery to get rid of them, though this is expensive.

For some, stretch marks are an unfortunate, unpleasant fact and, in most cases, they are permanent. However, stretch marks do fade over time and will eventually blend with your skin. An eye towards prevention may help to reduce the problem.