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All about Stretch Marks after Pregnancy
Like a rubber band that snaps when pulled too far, stretch marks or striae (the medical term) occur when the skin is over-expanded either during pregnancy or because of a dramatic increase in weight. These unsightly streaks appear when collagen (which supports the skin) and elastin fibres (which provide elasticity) break apart. Technically speaking, stretch marks are considered scars which appear most frequently on the abdomen, hips and breasts. Initially they look pink or purplish and are slightly raised. With time, they fade to white. Skin experts say that 70 to 90% women have stretch marks.Stretch marks
Contrary to popular belief, all pregnant women do not get striae. There are various factors that determine whether a pregnant woman will get stretch marks or not.
* Heredity If your mother had them, it is likely that you will too.
* Skin tone Women with darker complexions are less likely to get these marks.
* Water Chances of getting striae are lower if the skin is well-hydrated.
* Scratching As your stomach expands, the skin may feel itchy. Try not to scratch. Rub lotion or powder to reduce itchiness.
* Exercise It will tone the skin and increase its elasticity. Chances of getting striae increase if you gain a lot of weight during pregnancy.
Treatment
You cannot get rid of them completely. Lotions/creams and medical procedures only make them lighter by 60 to 70%. Common adolescent striae become less conspicuous with time. Pregnancy stretch marks can be minimised with simple home remedies or through cosmetic intervention.
Homecare
The ground rule is to exercise and eat healthy. Avoid intake of caffeinated coffee or tea. Nutritional deficiency also accentuates stretch marks. It is important to eat foods that will make your skin healthier. Foods rich in zinc such as nuts and fish are good examples. Get a healthy dose of Vitamins A, C, D and E from carrots, citrus fruits and almonds. Milk and proteins, too, are essential.
OTC creams/lotions: Topical application of specially formulated stretch mark creams offers temporary relief. Ingredients in them such as cocoa butter, wheat germ oil and lanolin (a wax like chemical) cause the skin to stretch and in turn reduce the appearance of striae.Prescription creams: They contain Vitamin A derivates called retinoids-specifically retinaldehyde, tretinoin or isotretinoin. These creams work best on new stretch marks. According to a University of Michigan Medical Center study, 80% of patients with fairly new stretch marks treated with a retinoid cream for 6 months saw the length of the marks decrease by an average of 14% and the width by 8%. Retinoids help form new collagen and elastin that make striae look more like normal skin.
Medical solutions/treatments
If you are serious about doing something about these embarassing scars, it's best to be in the care of a dermatologist who can recommend the best options.
It involves controlled abrasion of the upper layers of the skin using mechanical means. The abrasive action improves skin contour as a new layer of skin replaces the treated skin.TCA (tri-chlor acetic acid)/chemical peel: A 15 to 30% solution of TCA is used to remove superficial marks on the skin. This leads to formation of new collagen there by reducing the prominence of stretch marks.
IPL (Intense Pulsed Light)/Laser Therapy: This works under the skin. A powerful beam of light is focussed at a close range. This produces heat which removes damaged skin tissue and stimulates collagen.
Photo therapy
This treatment uses gel and light to treat stretch marks.
It involves injecting a cocktail of vitamins, anti-oxidants and herbal extracts into the dermis. This stimulates the skin to maintain or regain its elasticity and new collagen fibre synthesis. It is one of the most popular treatments to deal with stretch marks. The degree of success of any of these treatments depends on your age, skin type and your diet. A dermatologist can help you find the most suitable one. For that he or she will take your detailed medical history, including medication you are on. Certain drugs can cause stretch marks. It is therefore important to be open and frank with your doctor.