What a joy a new baby is! From before the first kick, we anxiously await the arrival of these "bundles of joy". And once they arrive we are often totally shocked by the love and instant bonding we, as mothers, feel. After months of unseen nurturing, we finally come face to face with these little wonders of the womb.
Their arrival banishes all traces of back pain, morning sickness and swollen ankles that may have accompanied the pregnancy. These inconveniences are but distant memories - not worth mentioning, when compared with what we have just been given.
Eventually, if we are lucky we will fit into our pre-pregnancy clothes. Breast feeding can help us get back to our former size and shape more quickly as it takes an extra 1500 calories a day over our normal intake to make and deliver breast milk to a baby. Additionally, the contractions that accompany breastfeeding cause our stomachs to return to their prior state much quicker than they do in mothers that elect to bottle feed their babies.
One area in which we may need a little help getting back in shape is with stretch marks. Well over 70% of all moms experience some degree of stretching of the skin resulting in stretch marks forming while they are pregnant.
What causes stretch marks? Stretch marks are caused by a stretching or expanding of our skin at a rate that is faster than our bodies can accommodate it. When we grow, as children, it is usually at a rate that allows our skin to adjust and grow with us. But if there occurs a significant "growth spurt" children, too can develop stretch marks.
There are several other instances, besides pregnancy and growth spurts that can cause us to get stretch marks. They also may develop when we gain weight, start working out, lose weight or develop more muscle mass.
What treatments are available for stretch marks? Some of the most successful treatments for stretch marks are now surgical. Plastic surgeons are now offering cosmetic laser treatments for stretch marks. The laser treatments stimulate the body to produce more collagen. This additional collagen will fill in the stretch mark, from the inner layer to the outermost top layer of the skin.
What effects can I expect from laser treatment? Results from the laser treatment of stretch marks vary from person to person. The results, more than likely will continue to show improvement over time, with most women requiring multiple treatments. The best candidates for laser treatments, are those with fair complexions and more superficial stretch marks. Treatment is more successful with newer stretch marks than those that have existed on the body for a longer time.
But laser treatments are not guaranteed to be effective. Fully 30% of all women treated with lasers say they see no improvement in their stretch marks after treatment.
There are also non-surgical over the counter treatments for stretch marks which are quite effective and are less costly than the surgical alternatives.
What should I look for in a topical stretch mark treatment? Many over the counter creams and preparations claim to be effective in the prevention of new stretch marks and in the repair of existing stretch marks. In addition, you should expect the over the counter cream to help keep the skin soft and supple and to improve the overall look and texture of the skin.
One of the topical treatments that has been getting great reviews from new moms is Strevaxlâ„¢. Find out more about how Strevaxlâ„¢ can help minimize stretch marks by doing a search on finer online stores like Amazon.com and www.BODeStore.com.
This article is not meant to provide health advice and is for general information only. Always seek the insights of a qualified health professional before embarking on a health or fitness program.
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About the Author:| Disclaimer: This article is not meant to provide health advice and is for general information only. Always seek the insights of a qualified health professional before embarking on a health or fitness program. |
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