Stretch marks are a common concern among women, especially during pregnancy as they signal a change in your body and can affect the way you feel about it.
We personally think stretch marks are a reminder of what your body is capable of by growing a baby, but also understand the desire to keep your body stretch mark free is part of the larger picture of wanting to keep some elements of yourself intact as you transition to motherhood.
What are Stretch Marks?
Stretch marks are very deep tears below the surface of the skin. As the name implies, they occur when your skin stretches quickly over a fairly short period, tears and then forms a scar as it heals. The scars typically appear as lines along your skin and can occur anywhere but are mostly found on your breasts, thighs, buttocks and of course your tummy.
During pregnancy, as your belly stretches to accommodate your growing baby stretch marks can make an appearance somewhere between weeks 13 and 21.
Who's more likely to get stretch marks?
Although stretch marks are mostly associated with pregnancy, those most prone to stretch marks also include body builders, adolescents undergoing sudden growth spurts and other individuals who experience rapid weight gain.
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