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Natural Ways To Treat Stretch Marks
By Lori Stryker, Thu Dec 8th
Pregnancy is a wonderful time in a woman’s life. One aspect ofchild-bearing , however, may not be so welcomed. For 75-90% ofpregnant women, stretch marks, or striae gravidum, can appear inthe later half of pregnancy. do not pose anyhealth risk to either the mother or child, but can cause anxietyover their appearance for those who develop them. Stretch marksfirst appear as raised striations which vary in colour frompink, purple or brown, depending on the mother’s normal skincolour. Striations develop where fat is stored in the body, suchas the abdomen, thighs, hips, buttocks, breasts and arms. develop during pregnancy because of rapid andexcessive weight gain in areas such as the lower abdomen orthighs. As weight increases, the collagen and elastin in thedermal layer of the skin, responsible for retaining shape andfirmness, is stretched to the point of breaking. The dermis isthe layer beneath the epidermis, or visible layer of the skin.The elastic fibres in the dermis weaken with stretching andincreased cortisone levels normally produced in the lasttrimester. As these fibres separate and the skin stretches,collagen is overproduced to form scar tissue which result instriations. There is no cure for stretch marks. The scarring process thathas occurred in the dermis cannot be reversed, but stretch markswill flatten, fade and lighten over time. Creams which containsteroids such as hydrocortisone, or active agents like tretinoin(retin-A) should not be used during pregnancy, and especiallynot during the first trimester when the fetus is highlyvulnerable. Plastic surgery methods are available to reduce theappearance of stretch marks, such as dermabrasion or laser, buttreatments are expensive and results vary.
Genetics play a role in whether a pregnant woman will developstretch marks, but equally influential factors are the conditionof the skin and nutrition in determining the onset and severityof stretch mark development. Well-hydrated and healthy skinstretches more easily, so drinking plenty of fluids and eatingfoods rich in vitamin C, vitamin E, zinc and silica, a componentin collagen formation, are beneficial. Lotions, creams and other topical treatments will not reach thedermis, but they can help relieve the itchiness or drynessassociated with stretch marks. Keeping the skin moisturizeddecreases any discomfort that may be felt and if stretch marksare treated when they first appear, their appearance may bereduced significantly. Massaging nutrient-rich natural oils suchas wheatgerm, jojoba or vitamin E can help heal the epidermisand also increase blood circulation to the affected area,assisting the healing process. Pregnant women should avoidproducts containing clary sage, basil, cinnamon or thyme, asthese might adversely affect the fetus. eventually fade and become less obvious overtime. Maintaining a balanced perspective about cankeep pregnancy a most precious time for mother and baby. References: - The Organic Makeup Company can be located athttp://www.organicmakeupcompany.com About the author:Lori Stryker has been researching and developing all naturalskin care and make-up for the purpose of offering men and womensafe natural cosmetics for everyday use. She brings to herresearch a specialist in human biology from the University ofToronto, coupled with a professional home economics degree andan education degree from the University of British Columbia,fusing chemical and biological knowledge with food family andtextile sciences.
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