May
23
2012

Stretch mark : Causes and managing it

Being pregnant is one of life’s miracles. We ladies get to experience this wonderful journey while the guys can just watch in envy :P

However, what is not to envy is the appearance of stretch marks in some women during pregnancy. While some mothers take it as a blessing; treating stretch marks as a token to cherish her pregnancy, I would do all I can to prevent it.

What causes stretch marks?

Imagine your skin as an elastic band. If your body undergoes a spurt of growth faster on the inside than the outside, the collagen and elastin fibres in the dermis (middle layer) tear.  Once there is any breakdown or loss of elastin and collagen fibres or excessive stretching in the skin, the mark will show through the epidermis, leaving a permanent scar on the body.

Statistics suggest that stretch marks occur to 75% to 90% of pregnant mothers.

It is recommended for pregnant mothers to apply:

cocoa butter that helps soothe the skin and retain its natural moisture.

Vitamin E; a natural antioxidant, works with the body’s own cells to protect it from the harsh elements that cause rough, dry skin.

Collagen and Elastin; improve skin elasticity and overall tone, suppleness and appearance of the skin

Now you know why I don’t want those to be part of my pregnancy journey? It is important to take the necessary precaution to prevent stretch marks.

My mother used baby oil on her tummy when she was pregnant and emerged stretch mark free. My eldest sister did the same with baby oil and she too escaped those dreaded stretch marks. I used baby oil when I first got pregnant too only to find tiny bumps and red dots on my tummy to my horror! Darling rushed me to the gynae and was advised to stop applying baby oil and try those anti-stretch marks cream instead.

We went to the pharmacy (being first time pregnant and having no knowledge of which brand works best!) and ended up buying several brands of stretch marks massage lotions.

I applied stretch mark lotion (in a circular motion to encourage blood circulation) on my tummy, breast and thigh each time after bathing and those ‘rashes’ on my skin were gone almost immediately. I don’t even get the itchiness anymore. By the way, if you feel itchy that is because your skin is stretching and if you don’t care for it well, it will break causing those dreaded stretch marks.

That is how I too emerged out of my first pregnancy stretch mark free.

Why this sudden reminisce of my pregnancy? Because I watched ‘What to Expect When You are Expecting’ the other day at Cathay Platinum Movie Suites (Cathay Cineplex, eCurve) during an educational gathering with Palmer’s in conjunction with Mother’s Day. Watching that movie reminds me of what I went through while I was carrying Ethan; it was all good and most importantly, no stretch marks! :D

Yeah, you guessed it. I used Palmer’s Cocoa Butter formula products because they contain the unique blend of those 3 important ingredients mentioned above. Psst.. I tell you a little secret…

I bet this fella is using it too:

Otherwise how can you explain it expanding like that, back to original size, then expanding again and back to original again with the skin still looking like nothing ever happened ? ^_^

21 Comments + Add Comment

  • //

    How was the movie?

    • //

      It was nice. I enjoyed the entire half of the movie. And then had to leave as it was getting late and over Ethan’s bedtime on a school day :(

      • //

        Hmm.. nvm you can watch the next half online then.

        • //

          I’ll wait for the DVD to be out :D

  • //

    Haha!~ I love your ending part… Somehow agree with you, hulk is using Palmer’s too!~

  • //

    Mind very well-stretched…no marks! LOL!!!

    Ummmm…”expanding like that, back to original size, then expanding again and back to original again with the skin still looking like nothing ever happened…” Certainly makes me wonder what you’ve got on your mind. Muahahahahahaha!!!!!!

    • //

      Alamak Arthur! I innocently wrote that leh… u ni otak kuning betul! >_<

  • //

    *Mine, I mean…

  • //

    I have applied cocoa stretch mark cream during my preg and still my stretch marks like kena langgar lorry. Hahhahahah my mum had 4 kids and no marks at all. That time no cream what so ever.

    • //

      Where got? I saw your bikini pictures in your FB, tarak tyre tracks oso?

  • //

    Well, the first pic was reallyy….ahem. Not only external remedies, our diet also very important during long period of recovering…

  • //

    I’m not pregnant nor i have been pregnant before *<<<nonsense, LOL* but i do have those weird marks on my tummy =/

    • //

      Hah Ken! You pregnant anak cacing!!

  • //

    I think it depends on the elasticity of your skin. I put stretch mark cream vigorously for my first pregnancy but still there is a bit of stretch marks.

    • //

      Then I think I’m lucky to have SUPER THICK pig skin that can tahan being stretched! It’s either that or I have to thank my mom as they say genetic plays an important part too :D

  • //

    LOL on your last part. My wife are using Palmers Cocoa butter too

  • //

    Guys watch in envy? I tell you this secret : guys don’t envy at all! Hahaha!!!

    • //

      @_@

  • //

    Yoda Hulk uses Palmer’s Cocoa Butter? Hahahaha!!!

    • //

      hahahhahaha… abuden? :P

  • //

    i did apply cream during 1st pregnancy then halfway got lazy, then no2 comes along, also lazy hahaha… so far the marks ok je… wahaha

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MeHome is where MY heart is.
I am a mother to two boys; Ethan and Ayden and a wife to Darling William. I'm a stay at home mum who blogs to break the monotony of life and to avoid feeling jaded. Would love to get to know all the Super Mommies and Daddies and Babies or Singles out there with the hope that we can learn more from each other. Most of all, I am a happy person, and I hope YOU are too.

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