Quick weight gain or loss, puberty, body-building, or pregnancy causes progressive stretching of the skin, often leading to unsightly stretch marks. Laser treatment for stretch marks, topical creams, and chemical peels are the recommended treatments. Just as an elastic band loses its elasticity after being stretched over a certain period of time, the dermis (the skin’s middle layer), upon being stretched, tends to become fragile, causing the skin to lose its elasticity. Marks usually appear as red or purple scars in areas where the amount of fat stored is relatively high, such as abdomen, thighs, arms, and calves. Over a period of time, scars fade to a whitish shade. Although cosmetic in nature, stretch marks can certainly put a dampener on wearing those tank tops or hot pants.

Preventing Stretch Marks

Since stretch marks are difficult to eliminate completely once they occur, this is one condition where prevention is certainly better and easier than cure. Using creams, rich in Vitamin E, are an elixir for the skin as they possess optimum moisturizing and healing qualities to massage the skin and help increase its elasticity. Topical creams containing cocoa butter, Tretinoin, or Retin-A are widely used as massage creams and are freely available over the counter at most cosmetic and drug stores. The massaging action can help increase the blood circulation in the affected areas, resulting in making the skin better prepared for the stretching phase, especially during pregnancy. Maintaining a pregnancy journal can help track the growth of the abdominal swelling, so that the cream can be used well before the stretch marks become evident. Most creams can only penetrate and soothe the epidermis, but are often ineffective in dealing with pre-existing deeper scars. For those seeking a more effective option to get rid of them, surgery, or even Laser treatment for stretch marks is widely suggested as an excellent alternative.

Surgical Procedures And Laser Treatment For Stretch Marks

Surgical procedures like Abdominoplasty, also known as the surgical tummy tuck, affects the appearance of stretch marks by tightening the loose skin around the abdomen, but is not recommended solely as a means to remove the scars. Laser treatment for stretch marks helps in steadily removing the damaged layer and promoting the growth of a fresh layer of damage-free skin. Due to the inherent nature of the treatment, it takes multiple sittings, depending on the severity of the condition. While earlier lasers only worked on red and purple scars, recent technological developments have helped remedy even the older white marks. Since the marks can never be cured completely, very fine lines still remain, but the laser causes the affected skin to appear quite like the remaining skin in the area, thus camouflaging the scars to the best possible extent.

Pregnancy back pain can get worse if not treated in time. Typically, it occurs due to the pressure on the lower back because of an expanded tummy. The weight of the child can affect the new mother. The ache may be negligible in the first trimester, but it grows with each quarter of pregnancy. In fact, this pain gets worse during the later stages of child bearing.

In order to overcome this pain, it is essential to take precautions from the beginning. It is recommended that you consult a doctor. There are many methods of treating and preventing pregnancy back pain. In this article, we shall discuss some of the common treatment methods.

Treatment Methods

Exercise: Many doctors suggest light exercise during childbearing stage. It is a tried and tested method of reducing and relieving pain. However, the exercise should be done under the guidance of a trained physiotherapist or medical professional. Moderate exercises that help in building strength and stability can make a lot of difference. If daily exercise is difficult then you can follow a weekly pregnancy calendar for an exercise regime.

Massage: Light massage by a trained masseur can be very helpful during this stage of childbearing. A massage followed by hot water bath is an ideal way to reduce the pain.

Correct Posture:Pregnancy back pain may get aggravated due to wrong posture. Slouching or bending can be risky. Check your posture and walk upright. While sitting, avoid slouching.

Balanced Diet: A proper diet is beneficial for you and your baby as it prevents excess weight gain. Excessive weight gain can also cause backache. It is important to keep a check on your weight and go for routine checkups to keep a tab on weight.

Although, these methods of treatment help to prevent pregnancy back pain, overall fitness also plays an important role. It is important to be fit before you get pregnant. Your physical fitness and immunity should be good. If your body is in a good shape before you conceive you are less likely to suffer from complications. The process of childbirth is easier if the mother-to-be is fit and healthy.

Pregnancy is a state wherein doctors do not recommend too much medication. Especially, they do not encourage the use of painkillers since it can have side effects on the child. One golden rule that you must remember is: “prevention is better than cure.”