Pregnancy and Skin Disease
Ayşe Serap Karadağ, Lawrence Charles Parish, Jordan V. Wang in Roxburgh's Common Skin Diseases, 2022
Overview: During pregnancy, stretch marks, also called striae gravidarum, may occur due to hormonal factors, genetic predisposition, and mechanical stress. Striae occur in 60–90% of pregnant women and represent one of the most common skin findings of pregnancy. Contributing factors include the weakening of the connections between collagen fibers in areas of tension, such as breasts, abdomen, and hips. With the effect of increased corticosteroids, estrogen, and relaxin, the elastic fibers in the reticular dermis may rupture or fracture. Striae rubrae, which are clinically pink to purple, linear bands, develop and can later become ivory-colored, atrophic lesions, known as overtime, but they do not disappear completely. Striae development is known to occur more frequently in young primiparous women with a high body-mass index, plus excessive weight gain during pregnancy, carrying macrosomic babies, and a personal or family history of striae.
Prenatal Care
Vincenzo Berghella in Obstetric Evidence Based Guidelines, 2022
Some stretch marks (striae gravidarum) develop in about 50% of women by the end of pregnancy. There is no high-quality evidence to support the use of any topical preparation in the prevention of stretch marks during pregnancy [133, 134]. There is also no proven treatment for stretch marks once they have developed [134]. Olive oil is not effective in preventing the occurrence of striae gravidarum or affecting its severity [134]. There is no available product that has been shown to prevent the formation of striae gravidarum. Massage with either Trofolastin cream or Verum ointment is associated in small RCTs with a decrease in the development of striae gravidarum [134]. A small, randomized trial showed that a specific anti–stretch mark cream (emollient and moisturizer containing hydroxyprolisilane C, rosehip oil, Centella asiatica triterpenes, and vitamin E) had a small effect in reducing severity (but not the incidence) of striae gravidarum during pregnancy (see Chap. 45 in Maternal-Fetal Evidence Based Guidelines) [135].
Dermatological conditions
David M. Luesley, Mark D. Kilby in Obstetrics & Gynaecology, 2016
Physiological cutaneous skin changes during pregnancy are common and rarely cause major concern. Hyperpigmentation may occur of the nipples and areolae, axillae, linea alba (which becomes the linea nigra), face (melasma or cloasma), and pre-existing pigmented moles and freckles. Oestrogen is probably responsible for cutaneous vascular changes such as an increase in spider naevi, palmar erythema, and even the occurrence of head and neck haemangiomas. Oedema is almost universal, and venous varicosities of the legs, vulva and rectum often become more prominent or appear for the first time. Striae gravidarum are pinkish-purple linear markings on the lower abdomen and breast, which later fade to white and usually persist after pregnancy is over as depressed, irregular bands. Some women maintain that hair growth and condition improve in pregnancy. Postpartum alopecia, however, is a recognised phenomenon that is usually mild and transient.1 Sebum secretion increases (see below), but apocrine activity may decline.
The use of energy devices in the treatment of striae: a systematic literature review
Published in Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2019
Georgios Kravvas, David Veitch, Firas Al-Niaimi
Striae distensae (SD), also known as stretch marks, are common cutaneous lesions characterized by linear bands of atrophic skin (1). They represent dermal scars with epidermal atrophy and pose a common source of cosmetic concern (2). SD result from changes in the reticular collagen, caused by rapid stretching of the skin, and are usually multiple and symmetrically distributed (3). The commonest affected sites include the abdomen, outer thighs, and breasts (4). Even though the exact pathogenesis is poorly understood, striae are commonly associated with mechanical stress (rapid weight changes and growth spurt) and hormonal changes (pregnancy, oral contraceptive use, increased adrenocortical function, and corticosteroid therapy) (3,4). The evolution of SD proceeds through several stages. In the acute stage they may be thin, pink and even pruritic. Over time they usually enlarge in length and width, may become raised, and acquire a reddish-purple appearance (striae rubra – SR). Finally, they become flat or depressed and hypopigmented (striae alba – SA) (1,3,5).
Striae gravidarum and different modalities of therapy: a review and update
Published in Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2022
Yangyiyi Yu, Haijing Wu, Heng Yin, Qianjin Lu
Striae distensae (SD) is caused by various risk factors, including pregnancy, weight gain or loss, and corticosteroid overdose (1,2). The term striae gravidarum (SG) refers to a kind of SD that develops particularly during pregnancy. Almost 60–90% of women suffer from SG (3,4). It typically appears on the abdomen, with less frequent appearance on the breasts, back, buns, and proximal extremities. In the early stage, lesions are dark red or purplish red – giving the condition the name striae rubra (SR) – and may be edematous or pruritic. The lesions then become discolored, flabby, and atrophic, and finally mature into white or silvery wrinkled paper-like streaks, which are called striae alba (SA) (2).
Development of a combination therapy with silanols complexed with boron citrate and ablative-fractional laser for treatment of wrinkles and stretch marks
Published in Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2021
Klaudyna Wolak, Roksana Gruszkiewicz-Majczak
Stretch marks are a common problem, affecting 55–90% of women especially in the gestational period, and can also occur in men (6). This atrophic dermal scars are often found on abdomen, breasts, thighs, and hips of pregnant women and people which get weight gain in a short period of time (7). The changes have the form of linear, atrophic longitudinal scar-like lesions that appear parallel to the skin’s tension line. A the beginning they appear in the form of pink-red lines, which then become raised, get longer, wider and purple-red. Within a few months to several years, the traces fade and become hypopigmented (so-called white stretch marks) (8).