Stretch marks during pregnancy, or striae, cause pink to purple cracks and narrow lines on the pregnant belly, thighs, or breasts, causing itching in these areas.
But what are the reasons for the appearance of abdominal cracks in pregnant women and when they start, can they be prevented, and how to treat them. We will discuss all of this and more in the following lines. Follow up with us.
Abdominal cracks and pregnancy
- Stretch marks occur when the skin stretches while growing during puberty, or when we gain or lose weight. Therefore, it affects anyone and does not only affect pregnant women.
- Stretch marks during pregnancy are not harmful and do not cause medical problems and usually shrink and fade over time and turn white.
- Some creams claim to remove stretch marks, but there is no reliable evidence that they are effective and there is limited evidence as to whether oils or creams help prevent stretch marks.
- Laser treatment can't completely remove stretch marks, but it may help fade them.
When do abdominal cracks begin when pregnant?
- It is more likely to develop during the third trimester of pregnancy as the skin on the abdomen stretches to make room for the growing baby.
- Abdominal cracks affect 8 out of 10 pregnant women during pregnancy.
- Stretch marks cannot be prevented, but a pregnant woman may develop them if she is overweight during pregnancy.
- Most women gain between 11 kg and 16 kg during pregnancy, but weight gain often varies from woman to woman.
Causes of stretch marks during pregnancy
- It occurs when the middle layer of skin (the dermis) stretches and cracks in places.
- Weight gain during pregnancy causes abdominal fissures, which often depend on your weight before pregnancy. Therefore, you must follow a healthy and balanced diet to lose weight during pregnancy.
- Genetics mainly contribute; If the mother or grandmother got cracks in the abdomen during pregnancy, there is a greater chance that you will have them during your pregnancy.
- You are more likely to develop stretch marks if you are younger or if you gain weight too quickly, and changes in the hormone levels of a pregnant woman contribute to their appearance.
Can abdominal cracks be prevented during pregnancy?
- No, stretch marks cannot be prevented during pregnancy and some creams claim to remove abdominal cracks as soon as they appear, but there is no reliable evidence of their effectiveness.
- There is also limited evidence about whether oils or creams help prevent stretch marks from forming in the first place.
Is it possible to get rid of stretch marks after pregnancy?
No, tummy tucks are permanent like any scar, you will never be able to get rid of them completely but most of them will fade naturally on their own after your baby is born and can also be made less noticeable with different treatments.
Here are some ways to hide the cracks in the abdomen:
- Chemical peels A cosmetic procedure that exfoliates the skin and stimulates glycolic acid peels to produce collagen in the skin.
- Laser treatment: reduces the appearance of stretch marks by increasing collagen production in your skin and restoring elastin fibers.
- Microdermabrasion: A minimally invasive procedure used by dermatologists to improve skin tone and texture.
- Micro-needling to reduce wrinkles and scars.
- Radiofrequency: A procedure that uses radiofrequency waves to heat up the deeper layers of the skin to activate the natural wound healing process, stimulate collagen production, and tighten stretch marks during pregnancy.
- Topical gels or creams with hyaluronic acid or tretinoin creams improve the appearance of stretch marks, especially if the creams are used early and every day.
- Cocoa Butter or Vitamin E Creams
- Olive oil or almond oil.
How long does it take to get rid of abdominal cracks?
It depends on several factors such as:
- How well your skin can heal and recover, how severe your stretch marks are, and what kind of procedure and treatment you decide to try.
At the end of our article, we hope that we have succeeded in presenting useful information about the causes of stretch marks during pregnancy, and we remind you that they are not a diagnosis or a prescription, and do not dispense with consulting a doctor.