As most of us know, stretch marks appear after pregnancy, while sometimes, they appear in the last trimester. Some women may get early pregnancy stretch marks based on genetics and other uncontrollable factors. What causes stretch marks? 

Well, the skin is pushed taut during pregnancy, which causes minor breaks in the underlying connective tissue, causing visible stretch marks. The pliability of your skin is a major factor in whether you develop stretch marks.

Most of the time, genetics are responsible; if your mother had stretch marks, the odds of you developing them become higher. 

Meanwhile, skin health and flexibility are aided by adopting a healthy lifestyle. It includes eating properly and exercising frequently.

How much and fast you gain weight during pregnancy is another crucial factor in determining whether you will get stretch marks. Putting on extra pounds quickly during pregnancy is a good sign. 

The likelihood of a stretch mark increases with the rate at which the skin is stretched.

• Stretch marks, known scientifically as “Striae Gravidarum,” are caused by the rupture of elastin fibers in the skin.
• Genetics plays a significant role, so if your mother had stretch marks, you’re more likely to develop them too.
• Hormonal changes during pregnancy weaken skin elasticity by increasing cortisol production, contributing to stretch marks.
• Stretch marks can appear on unexpected areas like the upper arms and thighs, not just the abdomen.
• Daily massage with oils like coconut, olive, or almond can improve skin elasticity and reduce stretch mark risks.
• Athletes and physically active women often experience fewer stretch marks due to stronger abdominal muscles.

Read the passage below to get a complete guide about the causes, signs, and treatment options available for these stretch marks. 

Wondering which factors are involved in the etiology of stretch marks? Well, the answer may be found in the skin’s anatomy. The epidermis is the outermost layer of skin, while the dermis is the deeper, thick layer. 

Elastin is a protein found in the dermis that can be stretched out like a rubber band. 

Like a rubber band, these elastin fibers have a maximum stretching capacity but only to a certain limit. If they get stretched beyond that, they might rupture. During pregnancy, these elastin fibers in the skin are damaged as the skin stretches to accommodate the growing uterus. 

These ruptured elastin fibers produce scars on the skin, known as Striae Gravidarum or stretch marks. 

Both pleasant and unpleasant skin changes might be directly because of your pregnancy. Most pregnant women, if not all, develop stretch marks on their skin. These are merely the result of damage to the outer layers of the skin. 

Different factors influence the stretch mark’s appearance, such as:

Stretch marks are not limited to pregnant women. They may also appear in overweight youngsters, teenagers with a rapid growth spurt during puberty, athletes, and bodybuilders who engage in rigorous training. 

Hips, abdomen, breasts, thighs, and buttocks are the most typical locations to have stretch marks. These are red marks on the skin that induce itchiness. 

The likelihood of developing stretch marks during pregnancy is strongly influenced by genetics. If your mother had stretch marks, there would be more possibility that you will have too. The exception to this rule is only when you are born with stretched skin. 

Even while most stretch marks disappear after giving birth, there is currently no guaranteed treatment.

Hormonal fluctuations during pregnancy contribute to the development of stretch marks. During conception, the adrenal gland produces excessive cortisol. This increased production of cortisol leads to the weakening of the elastic fibers of the skin. 

These weakened elastic fibers produce skin stretching.  

Certain medical conditions like Cushing’s syndrome and Marfan syndrome induce stretch marks. Marfan syndrome is associated with decreased elasticity of the skin. And Cushing’s syndrome leads to rapid weight gain and skin fragility. 

So, if a woman has any of these diseased conditions, she becomes prone to develop stretch marks. 

Some women have a hereditary predisposition to developing stretch marks. Many factors interfere with the occurrence of these marks, but they are surely preventable to some extent still. Physical activity is closely associated with the occurrence of these stretch marks. 

Some observe that athletes or women involved in intense training have minimum chances of developing stretch marks. 

This is because these athletic women develop powerful abdominal muscles, which can easily bear the weight of a growing uterus. These well-developed muscles prevent the excessive skin stretching and rupturing of elastin fibers. This ultimately prevents stretch marks. 

Skin that is elastic, healthy, and well-moisturized can stretch without the tearing of elastin fibers. Therefore, a woman’s risk of acquiring stretch marks is reduced if she strengthens her abdominal muscles. 

Meanwhile, adopting lifestyle modifications adds to healthy and supple skin.

Keep skin moisturized by applying different oils on the abdomen, thighs, breasts, and hips. These oils might include; coconut oil, olive oil, almond oil, or any baby care oil. Try to get its massage every time before going for exercise. 

The reason is that exercise ensures its proper absorption and skin stretching. It will also add to the skin’s flexibility and stretching without damaging elastin fibers. 

Have plenty of fresh fruits, vegetables, and liquids. Include vitamins C, E, and protein-rich foods and minerals like silica and zinc in your diet. 

Their adequate intake will make the skin healthy, fresh, and supple. 

Some women feel proud to show off the scars they receive when trying to conceive, while others want to hide them. These stretch marks are a prime source of discomfort during pregnancy, as evidenced by aches and pains. One of the greatest ways to protect against stretch marks is to keep your skin well moisturized so it can stretch without tearing. 

However, total eradication of stretch marks is unlikely; they can be minimized.