Stretch marks are a kind of shriveled lines. When the body experiences pregnancy, fitness and rapid weight gain, skin fibers may break and form red, white or purple stripes. Not only confined to the abdomen, but also the inner and outer thighs, knees, buttocks, lumbosacral and other parts may appear.

Skin structure

Skin structure includes skin, skin elastic fibers, subcutaneous fat layer, rectus abdominis composed of muscle fibers and tendons, preperitoneal fat layer and peritoneum from outside to inside. These structures are elastic and can expand and contract freely.

Causes of stretch marks

When a woman is pregnant for more than 3 months, her abdomen begins to bulge, and the skin elastic fibers and abdominal muscles begin to elongate. After 6 months of pregnancy, the elastic fibers of the skin gradually break, and irregular longitudinal cracks in pink or purple appear on the surface of the abdominal skin.

Postpartum stretch marks

Although the broken elastic fiber will be gradually repaired, it is difficult to return to its previous state. Those original cracks will gradually fade away and eventually become silvery stretch marks. Expectant mothers should be prepared to protect their skin in advance!