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The Dreaded Stretch Marks
What are they?
Pregnancy stretch marks - Strai Gravidarum - appear as raised red or purple welts, usually on the breasts and abdomen, although they can appear on the lower back and on the legs as far down as the backs of knees. With time many will fade to raised white welts.
Historically about 75% of women develop stretch marks during pregnancy, usually in the sixth or seventh month. They occur because the skin is exceptionally distended or stretched for a period of time – your pregnancy – which causes the skin’s support structure (the collagen and elastin) to break down.
The skin is made up of three parts: the epidermis (outer layer), the dermis (middle layer), and the subcutaneous (inner layer), where fatty tissue is stored. The dermis helps to support the skin and keep it firm through its strength structure, collagen. It is in the dermis layer that stretch marks occur. Any attempts to heal the damage must occur at a surface and a dermis tissue level.
The dermis is made up of strong fibres that connect to each other and allow the skin to stretch as we grow. Over time as our skin stretches, these small fibres become thinner and less elastic (stretchy), and some of them break. Where the fibres break, the skin becomes thinner, and these areas show as stretch marks.
The collagen in your skin is almost woven together like the weave in a rug. If you stretch and stretch without building in strength and elasticity the fibres will break and curl back. If you look closely at a stretch mark you can actually see the jagged edges of the broken elastic fibres in a distinctive pattern.
If you are wondering why maternity stretch marks are so vividly red or even purple, scientists believe that shattering of collagen leads to dilation of small blood vessels (capillaries) that results in red or purple-colored early stretch marks. Inflammation and collagen remodeling may lead to the loss of pigment-producing, melanocyte cells which will damage production of melanin pigment. Over time, this lack of pigment results in the white scars that most people associate with mature stretch marks, or teen-age stretch marks.
Will I get them?
If you are wondering whether you will get maternity stretch marks; there is a genetic pre-disposition towards them – unfortunately, it is impossible to predict, until it is too late and you have them. If your mother had stretch marks or if you already have the fine silvery lines of teen-growth stretch marks, you are most vulnerable. The important conclusion to draw is that prevention is the best cure for stretch marks.
To prevent them you need to maintain the moisture balance and improve the elasticity of your skin to help it cope with the nine-month stretch. This is one time when you get what you pay for so please don’t cut corners. A basic body lotion does not contain the specific ingredients needed. Mama Mio Tummy Rub Stretch Mark Oil and Stretch Mark Cream are tried and tested treatments created specifically to help you prevent stretch marks.
Mama Mio has been designed to increase your skin’s elasticity and strength through the use of Essential Fatty Acids, omega-3, omega-6 and omega-9. Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs) are crucial to the strength and elasticity of your skin. Ironically when you are pregnant you are most depleted of your supply of EFAs – your baby is taking them from you to make his little brain and little eyes! What this means is when your skin is about to undergo its biggest challenge – a 20-inch stretch – it is at its weakest point. Mama Mio works by ensuring your skin is getting its EFAs directly where it needs them, topically. Mama Mio Tummy Rub Stretch Mark Oil and Stretch Mark Cream are specialist products that help prevent the formation of stretch marks.
What about if I have them already?
If you have them already, it’s still not too late. You will need to use a product that works on the surface but also below, at the dermis tissue level. This should reduce pigmentation to even out skin tone, stimulate collagen production helping to regenerate skin cells and improve the structure of connective tissue.
Mama Mio Stretch Mark Minimiser is an effective minimiser treatment for all stretch marks regardless of their age. It works to accelerate cell regeneration and fade any discolouration – this is effective regardless if your stretch marks are white or red. Inevitably if you are fading angry red scars the difference will be much more measurable than if you are fading white or silver scars – but there will be an improvement
For further information visit www.mamamio.co.uk
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