Stretch marks also known as striae gravid arum, the marks of pregnancy, the streaks or stripes on the skin, especially on the abdomen, caused by distension of the skin from obesity or during pregnancy.
Call them what you like but they are the one thing that a lot of women dread will occur as soon as they get pregnant. Some don’t take it as anything, whether it comes or not as far their baby comes out healthy and alive they are ok.
But what are stretch marks anyway? And why do they occur?
Well, the reason lies in the anatomy of the skin. The skin has two layers a thin upper layer called the epidermis, and a thicker, lower layer called the dermis. Scattered in the dermis are fine protein filaments called elastin that, like a piece of a rubber band, are capable of stretching on being pulled. But just as a rubber band can stretch only so far and no further, these elastic fibres can also be stretched only to a certain extent. If stretched further, they snap. The increasing bulk of the uterus during pregnancy causes the skin to stretch to a great extent and the elastin fibres are torn. The torn elastin produces scars on the skin called Stria Gravidarum or stretch marks.
They occur on the lower abdomen of all pregnant women, right?
Well, right and wrong. They appear in most pregnant women, but not in all and not just on the lower abdomen. Stretch marks occur when the skin is stretched in a very short period of time, as in pregnancy or in obesity. They occur:
Along the sides of the breasts either in pregnancy or in obesity.
Upper thighs.
Occasionally even on the inner sides of the upper arms.
But can stretch marks be prevented?
Again a supple, healthy, well-moisturized skin is capable of stretching more without any lasting damage. So if a woman can strengthen her abdominal muscles and keep her skin healthy and supple, there is less chance of her developing stretch marks.
But how? How do I develop my muscles and keep my skin moisturized?
Gentle exercises for the abdominal muscles can be started as soon as pregnancy has been confirmed or even as pregnancy is being planned.Here are some of the recommended exercises to carry out.
Exercise 2 : Standing erect, raise both arms above the head and clasp your hands. Now bend slowly to your left as far down as you feel comfortable. Hold for a count of 10. Straighten up slowly and then bend to your right. Hold to a count of 10. Straighten up. Exhale as you are bending and inhale while straightening up. Do at least 3 sets once daily.
Exercise 3 : Stand straight with feet about 12 inches apart. Place hands on your back at the waist. Slowly bend back, as far back as you feel comfortable. Hold to a count of 10. Straighten up. Now bend forward slowly, hold the position for a count of 10. Then straighten up. Exhale as you are bending and inhale while straightening up. Do at least 3 sets once daily.
These three exercises will strengthen the abdominal and back muscles as well as gently stretch the skin. They also improve the posture during pregnancy.
Caring for the skin : Keep the skin moisturized by applying the oil like olive oil, coconut oil, almond oil or any good baby oil thoroughly over the skin of the abdomen, hips, and thighs. Massage it in with sweeping upward strokes. You can do this before you exercise so that the oil is properly absorbed as the skin is stretched during exercise. This will make the skin supple and healthy and capable of stretching without damaging the elastin fibres.
A Good Diet : Take a good diet with lots of fresh fruits and vegetables and adequate liquids. And do not forget your daily vitamins. This will ensure a healthy and supple skin.
But what happens if the stretch marks have already occurred? How do I get rid of them?
The good thing about stretch marks is that they fade over time. When they are first formed, they are reddish or purplish, but later they become thin silvery lines that may not be visible at first glance. The bad thing about stretch marks is that they can be removed permanently only by surgery. The elastin and collagen growth can be stimulated to some extent by cocoa butter, Vitamin E, wheat germ oil and lanolin. But to remove the marks completely, laser surgery, blue light therapy, and other surgical treatments are the only options. Many creams and lotions available on the market also claim to be able to remove stretch marks but have yet to be medically proved.
I would love to hear your view on this topic, kindly use the comment box.
Lots of love
45 Comments
Laura Mitbrodt
August 1, 2016 at 11:54 pmI hate the dreaded stretch marks, thanks for sharing
xo
http://www.laurajaneatelier.com
Tessy Onyia
August 1, 2016 at 11:56 pmLaura dear, so do I..Lol..Thanks for stopping by!
Sharon Wu of Style Lullaby
August 2, 2016 at 1:49 amLoved this read! Thanks for sharing xo, sharon
http://www.stylelullaby.com
Tessy Onyia
August 2, 2016 at 1:51 amThanks Sharon.
Abdulmalik Amodu
August 2, 2016 at 8:58 amWait, for real? Ah somebody need to visit this page. Thank for sharing.
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Tessy Onyia
August 2, 2016 at 9:04 amAww!Thanks Abdul.Ok checking it out now.
Adrika
August 2, 2016 at 9:18 amgreat!
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Tessy Onyia
August 2, 2016 at 9:19 amThanks Adrika.
Yiotou_La
August 2, 2016 at 9:20 amI have plenty of stretch marks on my legs cause I lost weight when I was a teenager and I lost it in 2 months, so it left me with stretch marks. I find that oil does the job well but I cannot get rid of them.
Yiota
PinkDaisyLoves
Tessy Onyia
August 2, 2016 at 9:22 amOh so sorry dear..Not too worry if it doesn't go away, some are just like that.Thanks for stopping by.
Ivana Jeknić
August 2, 2016 at 10:41 amGreat explanation about stretch marks, i have ones too, and actually i just accepted them, so i wear them proudly xoxo
http://www.theninebyivana.blogspot.com
Tessy Onyia
August 2, 2016 at 10:42 amGreat, good to know Ivana. Thanks for stopping by.
Yamini
August 2, 2016 at 12:28 pmThose are some really great tips to prevent stretch marks Tessy.A very informative post.
Emma Loves Fashion
August 2, 2016 at 12:29 pmAmazing post!
Super interesting,
Emma
http://www.emmalovesfashion.com
Tessy Onyia
August 2, 2016 at 12:30 pmThanks Yamini.
Tessy Onyia
August 2, 2016 at 12:31 pmThanks Emma.
The Fashion Folks
August 2, 2016 at 1:20 pmI had no idea, have heard about coconut oil, but this whole post was so informative! Xx
http://www.thefashionfolks.com
Tessy Onyia
August 2, 2016 at 1:22 pmThanks a lot Fashion sweetie, yes coconut oil helps in reducing the scar.
Ileana
August 2, 2016 at 3:51 pmThese are such great tips! I have a few stretch marks… got them while in college, when I found my love for biscuits! 😀 I actually think they are cute… mostly cause they are barely noticeable and hidden with everyday clothes 🙂
xoxo
Ileana
Novelstyle Blog
Tessy Onyia
August 2, 2016 at 3:53 pmOh cool that's good to know. Thanks for stopping by!
husna favaz
August 2, 2016 at 3:54 pmI had stretch marks when I was a teenager due to weight issues. Then during pregnancy I took extra care like proper body moisturizing, stretching exercises, yoga and I had no stretch marks at all. Thanks for sharing this awesome post Tessy xoxo
Tessy Onyia
August 2, 2016 at 4:16 pmWow! Well done dear, good to know. Thanks for stopping by!.
Aiko
August 2, 2016 at 5:06 pmSuch a great read! I have a few stretch marks myself and I wish I could've done more to prevent it. Thanks for sharing.
xo,
aikocunanan.com
Kerona Ledgister
August 2, 2016 at 5:06 pmI love your blog too. Wow
http://www.mssparkleandglow.com
Sasha
August 2, 2016 at 5:06 pmThank you for sharing this informative post! I hate my stretch marks and I have just given up with trying to get rid of them. Maybe I will try moisturizing again.
Have a lovely day!
xoSE
http://www.sashaelizabeth.com/
Tessy Onyia
August 2, 2016 at 5:17 pmAww! Thank you so much Aiko.
Tessy Onyia
August 2, 2016 at 5:20 pmAww! Thank you dear, I appreciate.
Jessi Malay
August 2, 2016 at 5:29 pmI never knew this! So glad you shared.
XO, Jessi
http://www.mywhitet.com
Tessy Onyia
August 2, 2016 at 5:47 pmThanks Jessi. Glad you learnt something new today.
Adrika
August 2, 2016 at 7:26 pmovely:)
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Tessy Onyia
August 2, 2016 at 7:33 pmThanks Adrika.
Precious Nkeih
August 2, 2016 at 8:38 pmUseful post, Tessy!
I hear Bio Oil really works well against stretch marks.
PreciousCore.com
Tessy Onyia
August 2, 2016 at 8:40 pmThanks Precious darling, yes I heard so too. But I've not tried it before.
Erica Choi
August 2, 2016 at 9:23 pmThanks for all the advice! Very helpful 🙂
Erica
http://www.eggcanvas.me
Tessy Onyia
August 2, 2016 at 9:25 pmYou welcome darling!Thanks.
Zinny
August 3, 2016 at 12:27 amI noticed that the stretch marks I have faded as I grew older. It's not as bad anymore. I feel comfortable in my skin and they are just a few. Nice write-up.
http://www.zinnyfactor.com
Jalisa G
August 3, 2016 at 12:27 amSuch a great article, girlie! I have stretch marks in a few places, due to weight loss, and like you've said, they've become less visible with the time. I'll definitely be taking these tips into consideration moving forward, thank you for sharing!
XO,
Jalisa
http://www.thestylecontour.com
Tessy Onyia
August 3, 2016 at 12:30 amAww! OK dear just try, it might be of help. Thank you for the heads up, have a fantastic day ahead.
Tessy Onyia
August 3, 2016 at 12:31 amWell said darling Jalisa, thanks dear.
Tessy Onyia
August 3, 2016 at 12:33 amYou welcome Erica dear.Glad you found it helpful.
Holly Sparkes
August 4, 2016 at 11:01 amI literally never knew any of this- so helpful! I'm new to blogging, it'd mean a lot if you could check out my blog and maybe give me some feedback! Much love Holly xo
http://www.corkylilthing.blogspot.co.uk
Tessy Onyia
August 4, 2016 at 11:36 amOh Holly thanks, glad you learnt something new today, alright, I will check out your blog.
Baird
December 12, 2016 at 2:31 pmFor old stretch marks, Revitol has the restorative effects to reduce their appearance through the replacement of existing scar tissue by the new skin cells. dermelastic
Helena
June 1, 2018 at 7:55 pmgreat site, doing physical excercises is very good! Keeping the skin moisturized is essential, I loved the past exercises here on the site. They are good for anyone who has scratches or who wants to avoid it. of great fear when he sees those marks on our body
https://eliminarestrias.org/
Alexander T. Templin @ chairsstudio
April 13, 2021 at 3:29 amGreat post! Very interesting to read. I would like to read some more updates from you. Thanks for Sharing.