What are stretchmarks?

Stretchmarks can accompany any major weight fluctuation – particularly if the change is rapid – and they can appear on everyone from yo-yo dieters and body-builders to teenagers on growth spurts. But commonly, these reddish-grey lines notoriously take up residence on the blossoming bellies of moms-to-be…

will I get stretchmarks?
Though no hard statistics exist, up to 70 per cent of women get stretchmarks to some degree. Scientists argue about what can be done to prevent them from appearing, but one thing is agreed – there is a strong genetic predisposition to them. In other words, if your mom had stretchmarks, the chances are that you will too. But don’t despair, there are ways of limiting them and reducing their appearance over time.

what exactly are stretchmarks?
Despite how foreign they can look on your body, stretchmarks are a normal part of pregnancy. Stretchmarks are caused by a combination of pregnancy hormones and weight gain. During pregnancy, the hormones let your skin tissues stretch, softening skin collagen, which can lead to marks. The skin’s structural proteins, collagen and elastin, are broken down due to tiny tears forming in the dermis once the skin is stretched to its limit.

Stretchmarks initially look reddish- purple because the skin is more transparent and the small blood vessels show through. As the vessels contract, the colour fades to a silvery white, which is simply the fat showing beneath the skin.

where will they appear and when?
Stretchmarks can appear in different regions on the body, usually on your buttocks, breasts, upper thighs, hips and even your arms. They‘re generally noticable during the sixth or seventh month of pregnancy, though many women notice them during the first trimester, when weight gain is not an obvious cause.

my stomach is so itchy. what can I do about it?
Dry, stretching skin tends to become itchy. As your pregnancy progresses, your growing abdomen is likely to be the itchiest part of your body. To manage itchy skin, avoid hot baths and showers.

After a cool shower, pat yourself dry and apply a product formulated for stretchmarks. Stay away from products that contain alcohol and drying soaps. If you live in a dry climate, buy a humidifier to moiston the air.

For a severe, persistent itch, contact your doctor for further advice as it may indicate a more serious condition.

What can I do about them?

what can I do about stretchmarks?
One cannot stress how important it is to drink at least two litres of water a day in order to keep your body hydrated. This is important for your overall health and the wellbeing of your growing baby, as well as improving the elasticity of your skin.

You must also eat a healthy and balanced diet in order to keep your weight gain controlled so that your skin can grow at a steady rate. Use a body brush or sponge to increase circulation by massaging the areas prone to stretchmarks. Remember to take the vitamins recommended by your doctor as this is another way to ensure good nutritional health, which is important for beautiful skin as well as your baby.

Keep your skin super-moisturised on a daily base, especially after baths and showers. There are ample lotions, oils and creams to choose from. These products can help prevent or reduce the appearance of stretchmarks either by using ingredients like botanical extracts and vitamin C to boost the synthesis of collagen, or by infusing the skin with moisture.

Enhanced collagen production can help thicken skin that is about to or has been stretched to the point of tearing. Hydrating products keep skin looking taut and plump, which diminishes the appearance of flaws.

is there any treatment after birth?
While most stretchmarks fade with time, generally leaving a faint pattern of silvery scar lines, it would, of course, be preferable to make them disappear entirely. Treatment is available from dermatologists and plastic surgeons, though the success is varied and not guaranteed. Plastic
surgery is the only way to completely remove stretchmarks, but this is both invasive and expensive.

It is always best to treat stretchmarks as soon as possible after birth, says dermatologist Dr Noufal Raboobee. “There are ways to have them removed after birth, using either topical retinoid therapy or laser therapy.” Retin-A cream is a prescription cream that is applied to stretchmarks every night for at least three to four months after pregnancy, explains Dr Raboobee. It is important to note that the safety of topical retinoid creams in pregnancy have not been established and they must ONLY be applied after the baby is born under medical supervision.

Dr Raboobee says significant improvements have also been reported with low concentrations (15–20%) of trichloroacetic acid, peels that remove the top layer of skin. Laser therapies have been shown to have some impact on stretchmarks and involve little or no recovery time, though they are expensive. Laser therapies can reduce the degree of redness in early stretchmarks but old, faded stretchmarks do not benefit from the treatment.

The bottom line is that stretchmarks will appear if you‘re genetically inclined to develop them. If you suffer severe stretchmarks during your pregnancy, consult a dermatologist who will be able to advise you about possible treatments after your baby is born.

So in the meantime, try to shelve the shame, keep your skin moisturised and enjoy your changing body.