Pregnancy is one of two causes of stretch marks. The other is weight gain.
"Stretch marks occur on the breasts, hips and stomach during pregnancy, plus other areas such as the thighs when you gain weight," says Margaret A. Weiss, M.D., assistant professor of dermatology at the Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions in Baltimore.
They're triggered when skin is stretched to the max, which occurs when growth is so rapid that your skin's elastic fibers break. And though it occurs less often, stretch marks can also be
caused by some hormonal problems, certain diseases and medications, says Dr. Weiss.
WHAT WORKS
"Moisturizers, wrinkle cream and massage don't get rid of stretch marks," says Dr. Weiss. (For a possible exception, see "Vitamin Cream Works Wonders" on page 526.) And makeup doesn't cover them very well).
The best you can do is to minimize stretch marks, says Dr. Weiss. Firming any areas that have stretch marks--usually the thighs, hips and abdomen--makes stretch marks less apparent, she says. Women doctors suggest these exercises. (You can expect to see results in about two months.)
Start with 20 leg raises. One of the best exercises to work the hip and leg area, which is where stretch marks are most likely to occur, is a straight leg raise exercise, says Carol Garber, Ph.D., director of the Human Performance Lab at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island.
To begin, lie down on the floor on your side, legs straight, one on top of the other. Then extend the arm that's floor-side down over your head and rest your head on your arm. Put your other hand flat on the floor in front of your waist. Keeping both legs straight and toes pointed straight ahead, raise your top leg from hip to toe as far as it will go, then lower it back to the floor.
"Don't just jerk your leg up in the air and let it fall back down," says Dr. Garber. "You can get injured if you raise it too quickly. Instead, raise and lower your leg in a slow, controlled motion.
"Begin with 8 to 10 leg raises on each side at least three times a week," says Dr. Garber.
Then, as each exercise begins to seem easy, add a leg raise or two until you've worked your way up to 20 leg raises three times a week.
Lisa Giannetto, M.D., does not have a single stretch mark on her body. Yet the diminutive 35-year-old associate professor in the Department of Medicine and Community and Family Medicine at Duke University in Durham, North Carolina, has carried two babies to term within the past five years.
Not any stretch marks?
"Not one," she says cheerfully. "And since I'm only 95 pounds, I really stretched. I had a significant belly both times."
Her secret: a nonprescription fluid containing vitamin C, called Cellex-C Serum, formulated based upon research conducted at Duke University Medical Center. Research suggests that the fluid will promote the development of collagen, a substance that gives your skin its elasticity, says Dr. Gianetto. And the result, as she can attest, is smooth, unmarked skin.
To Be Continued....
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