Dhanya (name changed), my childhood friend came in for a surprise consultation. It had been a decade since I met her. She was trying to get fit and was worried of her stretch marks developed in pregnancy. Through her consultation, Dhanya expressed she had developed itching specifically at the stretched skin areas and found it as a cosmetic hinderance. She had tried various promising products, but nothing seemed to work. That is when she decided that she must seek medical advice. Let us understand about Striae.

Striae/Stretch marks are irregular areas of skin that look like bands, stripes, or lines. You might have observed stretch mark impressions are of a different colour and texture than the normal skin. They are usually seen around the abdomen, breasts, thighs, buttocks, hips, and arms. Stretch marks are usually encountered in pregnancy like in Dhania’s case, in growing children where there is rapid growth spurts/ weight gain, in gym/fitness aspirants where there could either be trying to gain weight or lose weight. They are also seen in overweight people, during puberty, in certain disease conditions or medicine usage. Stretch marks are particularly seen in people with a Vataja/Vata- Pittaja skin type or where the elasticity and hydration of the skin is compromised.

Are Stretch marks a threat?

Mostly, they pose no health risk in and of themselves, and do not compromise the body’s ability to function normally and repair itself. They can (but do not always) cause a burning and itching sensation. But to many just like Dhanya it is a cosmetic hinderance. Sometimes stretch marks could be because of hormonal disturbances or Adrenal gland disorders or because of usage of certain medicines which reduce the skin’s elasticity eventually giving rise to Stretch marks. So, better to get it evaluated and diagnosed before you start treatments.

How can they be treated?

Skin always depicts the inner health. It is best to determine the cause of stretch marks and treat accordingly. Modalities will include internal use of medicines and external treatments which.

1.Promote skin health,

2.Tone the involved tissues like the muscle, fat/adipose which will facilitate skin elasticity,

3.Balances the doshic (bioenergy) imbalance and strengthens the skin tissue.

Treatments such as Abhyanga (therapeutic massage), Udvartana (therapeutic powder massage), Prakshalana (Medicated water decoction bath /pouring) Shashtika Shali Sweda (Therapeutic massage with a particular variety of rice tied in a bolus and dipped in a herbal milk decoction), special Lepana karmas(Application in the form of oils, ointment, skin packs etc)  diminish the stretch marks, reduce inflammatory changes and soften the skin. Diet and lifestyle to maintain the suppleness of the skin is also important.

How Can Stretch marks be prevented?

1. Eating right and exercising regularly can prevent stretch marks caused due to sudden weight gain/weight loss. It also helps to keep the skin healthy and hydrated.

2. Stretch marks in Pregnancy are common. Special tailas (medicated oils) and lepas (herbal packs) are advised to reduce the itchy and dry feeling of the skin.

3. Eating food according to Ayurvedic food principles helps to maintain the balance for a good tissue functioning and in turn healthy skin.

4. People with good moisture content and toned skin develop lesser stretch marks compared to people with skin which is not hydrated well and dry in nature.

5. Get fresh stretch marks treated when you notice them. Itching can cause more skin damage, so avoid scratching the areas. Applying sandal paste on the affected areas relieves itching effectively.

6. Diet, which is unctuous, sweet by nature (not taste) with specified quantity of fats is beneficial for people prone to stretch marks. Have fruits and veggies which source to promote nutrition to skin like cucumber, lady’s finger, onion, garlic, ridge gourd, bottle gourd, watermelon, musk melon, bananas, raisins, citrus fruits etc.

Dr Sanmathi P Rao

Sriranga Ayurveda & Shubha Ayurvedic Centre

Basavanagudi

Bangalore-560004

Ph: 78294 88352

The post Stretch marks: Why do they occur and how can they disappear! appeared first on Health Vision.

Off late, an increasingly admired skincare ingredient that has been gaining massive popularity, is the avocado oil. And we’re here to spill the tea about ALL its goodness, especially the EXTRA virgin kind.

What is avocado oil?

Yes, it is a fruit! Avocados have been mostly known for being a delicious, nutritious source of heart-healthy monounsaturated fat. Black & Green has introduced the world’s first-ever EXTRA virgin avocado oil with the goodness of the fleshy avocado pulp, cold-pressed and extracted in a complex process from the finest Hass avocados in Kenya to offer an odourless, yellow oil.

Many health benefits.

Using this oil is a healthy alternative, implementing it in your skincare and haircare routines delivers a nutritious treat! Power-packed with high levels of antioxidants, Black & Green’s EXTRA virgin wonder oil delivers many benefits by absorbing into skin easily, quickly and is known to remedy irritation due to the sun.

What makes Black & Green’s avocado oil special?

Avo-warriors Rushabh and Miral Parekh revolutionize its goodness and versatility. It is the world’s only extra virgin oil with a high smoke point that can be used for cooking, which helps maintain nutrients whilst cooking on high flame.

EXTRA virgin avocado oil for pregnant women? Yes please!!

From international influencers Gigi Hadid, Nicki Minaj to our Bollywood favourites, Kareena Kapoor and Anushka Sharma, celebrities are keeping us on our toes about their pregnancies by dropping hints about their bumps and flaunting their comfy maternity wear.

But when it comes to taking care during pregnancy, skincare takes the lead. Don’t fret! Cause Black & Green’s avocado oil promises limitless benefits!!

Thanks to its concentration of essential fatty omega acids and minerals, the avo oil helps with many issues. From preventing those stubborn stretch marks to helping the baby’s development in the womb, this fascinating product even helps cure anaemia during pregnancy. What’s even more exciting is that it contains Vitamin C beneficial to relieve the discomfort caused by morning sickness and cramps.

It’s safe to say that the versatile nature of the wonderful, it is made by Black & Green products is unbeatable! So what’s stopping you from grabbing your bottle?

The post Avocado oil to beat all pregnancy woes appeared first on Health Vision.

Stretch marks are a type of scarring on the skin and is a common problem for many people, especially pregnant women. Stretch marks occur in the dermis, the middle layer of skin (dermis). Stretch marks occur when there is a rapid growth in the body, which causes the elastic fibres under your skin’s surface to break and hence causing stretch marks.

In simple terms, when the skin is stretched, the collagen is weakened and its normal production cycle is disturbed and damaged. This leads to the creation of fine scars beneath the top layer of the skin. They commonly occur on the thighs, arms, stomach, and the bottom area. Stretch marks can be embarrassing and they really don’t go away easily. You can prevent stretch marks if you follow a safe exercise plan, a good diet, and a regular skincare regime. Here are some ways to prevent stretch marks during pregnancy-

1. Exercise- Exercising regularly will not only prevent you from gaining weight but will also improve elasticity. You can try brisk walking or indoor cycling.

2. Sunscreen- Always apply sunscreen before you step out of the house, especially to areas where stretch marks might occur, such as belly, sides and chest.

3. Exfoliation- Exfoliate regularly as it will not only improve elasticity but will also boost blood circulation.

4. Cleansing- Cleansing your skin will give you a natural glow whilst hydrating your skin. Buy a one that’s made of natural oil.

5. Sunblock- If you’re constantly exposed to the sun, choose a product that includes sunscreen. Buy a sunscreen with an SPF 15 or higher.

6. Moisturizer- While buying a moisturizer, look for one that has ingredients like vitamin A, vitamin E or hyaluronic acid. Do not use products that falsely claim to remove stretch marks completely. You can take help from your dermatologist to find the right moisturizer.

7. Water- Drink enough water to keep your skin supple and maintain elasticity.

8. Diet- There are several food items you can eat that encourage collagen production. Here are some diet tips to follow-

9. Vitamin D– Consume Vitamin D rich foods such as fish oil, tuna, and egg yolks to prevent the epidermal atrophy.

10. Omega 3 fatty acids- Consume Omega 3 rich foods such as olive oil, cow butter, this will help increase elasticity.

11. Vitamin C- Consume Vitamin C rich foods such as citrus fruits, berries, melon, etc., this will help increase elasticity and improve substance between skin cells.

12. Vitamin E- Consume Vitamin E rich foods such as seeds, peanut butter, tomatoes, this will help improve the health of membranes and skin tissues.

13. Vitamin A- Consume Vitamin A rich foods such as sweet potatoes, pumpkin, mango, this will help improve skin elasticity and boost the formation of new skin cells.

When you have stretch marks, you need to take care of your skin regularly. Keep your skin hydrated by drinking lots of water and consume healthy and balanced food. These marks can have a profound effect on your very own self-confidence. Consult your dermatologist right away, she will examine your skin type and help find the suitable treatments or products.

Also Read: HOW TO STAY HEALTHY DURING PREGNANCY ?

Dr. Teena Thomas
Sr. Consultant Obstetrics & Gynecology
Apollo Cradle & Children’s Hospital
Brookefield – Bangalore

The post Stretch marks during pregnancy – how to prevent it? appeared first on Health Vision.