Stretch Marks : Causes and Prevent

Catatan Azzahra - Stretch Marks : Causes and Prevent

Although this is a normal condition, many people are annoyed when stretch marks appear on their skin. Find out here what causes stretch marks, so that this skin problem can be prevented as early as possible.

Stretch marks are strokes that often appear on the skin of parts of the body that contain lots of fat, such as the breasts, upper abdomen, upper arms, thighs and buttocks. Streaks that start out in red, pink, or purple will gradually turn white or gray in color.

Causes of Stretch Marks

Not everyone has stretch marks. This condition is usually experienced by people whose skin contains a small amount of collagen, a protein that makes skin supple. Stretch marks generally appear because body size increases faster than the development and elasticity of the skin.

When the skin is rapidly stretched, the middle layer of skin (dermis) is thinned, so the layers underneath come to the surface. If so, reddish lines or streaks will appear, sometimes accompanied by itching. Over time this line will turn white or gray. This condition is called stretch marks.

Here are some conditions that can increase a person's risk of developing stretch marks:

• Pregnancy
• Drastic weight gain
• Puberty
• Light skin tone
• Have a family history of stretch marks
• Certain health problems, such as Marfan's syndrome or Cushing's syndrome
• Incorrect consumption of corticosteroid drugs

Stretch Marks : Causes and Prevent

How to Prevent Stretch Marks

Stretch marks are a common condition that cannot always be prevented. However, there are several ways you can do to minimize the risk of stretch marks, including:

1. Maintain a healthy body weight

Stretch marks are most often caused by rapid weight gain. Therefore, keep your body weight in a stable condition. If you want to lose weight, do it gradually. Try not to lose more than ½ kg of weight per week.

For pregnant women, you should also maintain weight gain, so that the risk of developing stretch marks can decrease. The actual weight gain in pregnant women varies, but generally ranges from 10-12.5 kilograms.

But remember, pregnant women are not advised to go on a diet or lose weight. It is enough to maintain a healthy and nutritionally balanced diet, so that your weight does not increase dramatically during pregnancy.

2. Implement a healthy diet

Healthy and fresh food can also keep the skin healthy, so that the appearance of stretch marks can be avoided. Make it a habit to eat foods rich in vitamin E, vitamin C, protein, and zinc, so that your skin collagen can increase.

3. Maintain fluid intake

Drinking enough water can also help keep your skin moisturized and soft. The reason is, skin that is well hydrated has a smaller risk of developing stretch marks than dry skin.

You should also reduce the consumption of caffeinated drinks, such as coffee, as this can also increase the risk of developing stretch marks. If you find it difficult to reduce caffeine intake, make sure you balance it by drinking caffeine-free fluids.

Apart from preventing, there are also a number of things you can do to disguise or minimize stretch marks, including covering them with special creams or cosmetics, using stretch mark removal creams, or doing chemical peels, laser therapy, and cosmetic surgery.

Stretch marks are actually harmless and can disappear over time, so they don't need special handling and care. However, if stretch marks make you very irritated for some reason, you can consult a dermatologist.

Hopefully this article Stretch Marks : Causes and Prevent  can be useful for Catatan Azzahra visitor.