How to prevent stretch marks
More than half of all pregnant women develop stretch marks, or striae. Most often these occur on the chest, hips and abdomen [1].
Why do stretch marks appear?
There is no consensus on what causes stretch marks, but there are three main theories:
Physical factors: Weight increases, causing skin to stretch more rapidly than usual and striae appear.
Hormonal factors: During pregnancy, a low level of the hormone relaxin combined with higher levels of estrogen and cortisol make connective tissue more fragile during the physical changes of pregnancy [2].
Genetic factors: Hereditary predisposition to loss of skin elasticity can be one cause of stretch marks.
Risk factors that contribute to causing stretch marks include [3]:
dramatic weight gain;
pregnant with twins or multiples;
exposure to UFA / UV radiation;
a large amount of simple carbohydrates in the diet.
Tips to prevent stretch marks
It is impossible to completely eliminate stretch marks with preventive measures [1], but you can reduce the risk of their occurrence. To do this, you must:
Avoid simple carbohydrates and trans fats.
Eat foods rich in vitamins E, C, and omega-3s and other fatty acids.
Use sunscreen.
Take time for physical activity.
Special lotions designed for stretch marks do not necessarily help prevent them from occurring [1]; however, they can reduce the itching that accompanies skin stretching [3]. If stretch marks have already appeared, then they can be corrected after delivery with the help of a noninvasive laser procedure [2].
