The abdomen of a normal healthy woman is generally smooth, soft, and elastic. This indicates that all layers of the abdominal wall are intact and healthy. Pregnant women in the third trimester of pregnancy, or women who have given birth, not only have their bellies become enlarged and loose, but also often have horizontal lines. why is it like this?
After pregnancy, due to the growth of the fetus, the enlargement of the uterus, and the expansion of the pregnant woman\’s abdomen, the layer of tissue called elastic fibers under the skin is destroyed, and the thin skin can expose the blood vessels underneath, so stripes of light red or purple will appear. wavy stripes, from 1 to several inches long. The skin at the stripes looks really thin, and sometimes you can faintly see the small blood vessels underneath.
Although the streaks are still present after delivery, the color has changed from light red to white, or there is some pigmentation. Skin streaks during pregnancy can appear not only on the abdomen, but sometimes also on the breast area and thighs. They also form due to localized swelling after pregnancy. This pattern is called stretch marks. It neither produces any symptoms nor affects the health of pregnant women. healthy.
Stretch marks may be caused by endocrine changes during pregnancy. At this time, the hormones secreted by the adrenal cortex increase, inhibiting the function of fibroblasts, decomposing and denaturing elastin, the component of elastic fibers, making the elastic fibers easy to break. In addition, the strength of the uterus increases during pregnancy, and the elastic fibers of the skin in areas such as the abdomen are more likely to break, destroying the integrity of normal skin, so patterns will appear on the skin of the abdomen. Stretch marks do not require treatment. There is no specific treatment.
Tips for reducing stretch marks:
Proper exercise during pregnancy can increase the skin\’s resistance to stretch. Applying anti-wrinkle oil to local skin for proper massage can promote local blood circulation and increase the elasticity of subcutaneous elastic fibers. Avoid gaining weight too quickly or too quickly during pregnancy, and control weight gain to about 12 kilograms. If you can maintain proper skin care during pregnancy, it will be easier to restore your original beauty and fitness after delivery.