Stretch Marks
The formation of stretch marks is mainly due to hormonal influences during pregnancy. The protrusion of the abdomen causes the elastic fibers and collagen fibers in the skin to be damaged or even broken to varying degrees because of external forces. This results in thinner and finer skin, with pink or purplish red wavy patterns appearing on the abdominal skin. After delivery, these patterns gradually disappear, leaving behind white or silvery smooth scar lines, which are known as stretch marks. Stretch marks usually appear on the abdomen but can also occur on the inner and outer thighs, buttocks, chest, lower back, shoulders, and arms. They are most noticeable in first-time mothers. Once they appear, they do not fade over time, leading to loose and wrinkled skin, sagging breasts, and abdominal fat accumulation, significantly affecting a woman's postpartum figure and mental health.
Causes of Stretch Marks
Root Causes
The human abdomen consists of many layers from the outside inward: the skin, elastic fibers of the skin, subcutaneous fat layer, rectus abdominis muscles composed of muscle fiber bundles and tendons, preperitoneal fat layer, and peritoneum. Under normal circumstances, the elastic fibers of the skin and the rectus abdominis maintain a certain level of elasticity and can freely expand within limits. When a woman is pregnant for more than three months, the enlarged uterus protrudes out of the pelvis into the abdominal cavity, causing the abdomen to swell. Influenced by the enlarging uterus, the elastic fibers of the skin and the abdominal muscles begin to stretch. This becomes more obvious after six months of pregnancy. When stretched beyond a certain limit, the elastic fibers break, and the rectus abdominis tendons separate to varying degrees. As a result, irregular longitudinal cracks of pink or purplish red appear on the skin of the abdomen. After childbirth, although the broken elastic fibers gradually repair, they cannot return to their previous state. The original skin cracks gradually fade in color, eventually becoming silvery white, which are the stretch marks.
Other Factors
Additionally, teenagers during puberty may develop inhibited cell division due to dehydration, drinking strong tea, and other habits, resulting in fewer skin cells in areas such as the thighs that experience significant growth. The skin formed by other cells filling in the gaps appears inconsistent, manifesting as stretch mark-like skin externally. Stretch marks are also called expansion marks.
How to Prevent Stretch Marks
1. Control Weight Gain: During pregnancy, it is advisable not to gain more than 2 kilograms per month, and the total weight gain throughout pregnancy should be controlled between 11-14 kilograms.
2. Balanced Diet: During pregnancy, it is important to supplement with rich vitamins and minerals. Since collagen fibers themselves are made up of proteins, one can consume foods rich in protein. Avoid overly oily, sweet, or salty foods.
3. Use of Belly Support Bands: These can help bear the gravitational load of the abdomen, reducing excessive stretching of the skin.
4. Use of Professional Anti-Stretch Mark Products: This is the most effective method for preventing and reducing stretch marks. Pregnant women who have the means can purchase suitable anti-stretch mark products for themselves. These products can effectively repair abdominal skin, increasing its elasticity and effectively preventing stretch marks.
5. From early pregnancy, choose moisturizers, olive oil, or massage creams suitable for your constitution, and frequently massage and apply them on areas prone to stretch marks (thighs, belly, buttocks) to increase the elasticity of the skin and muscles as well as promote smooth blood flow. Maintaining skin elasticity plays a significant role in later muscle adaptation to weight gain.
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