About 75 percent of the dermis layer of your skin is made up of collagen, a protein that contributes to healthy tissue and cell growth. Damage to collagen results in fine lines, that are usually red or pink at first, but over time they blanch, according to HealthGuidance.org. From 75 to 90 percent of pregnant women suffer some amount of stretch marks.
Connection
Stretch marks occur during pregnancy because your skin is stretching to accommodate your growing baby. Stretching tears the collagen fibers in the dermis that rising hormone levels have already softened and made vulnerable, according to the website All About Stretch Marks. This makes your blood vessels dilate and the result is the first pinkish lines under the top layer of your skin, according to HealthGuidance.org.
Other Factors
Other factors can work in tandem with your pregnancy to affect the collagen in your skin and produce stretch marks. If you are pregnant over the summer or live in a warm climate, exposure to sunlight can worsen the situation, according to All About Stretch Marks. Some women are simply more prone than others to collagen damage, according to the website HealthGuidance.org. Fair women with light skin tones are more vulnerable to collagen tears and breakdown. The collagen in dry skin is also more sensitive than that in oily skin. There is some evidence that collagen health is hereditary.
Maintenance
Start fighting stretch marks before they start, advises HealthGuidance.org. Begin moisturizing as soon as you know you are pregnant. Many vitamins and oils contained in skin cream products can help collagen health and production. Your prenatal vitamins will contain vitamin C and this, too, maintains collagen production, according to All About Stretch Marks.
Replacement
If you already have stretch marks, help your body replace the collagen there. One method is to get rid of the dead cells at the surface of your skin to stimulate new collagen production. Alpha hydroxy and poly hydroxy acids will eliminate dead skin cells; those can be purchased over the counter to be applied at home, according to All About Stretch marks. HealthGuidance.org recommends N-Lite laser therapy, which produces new collagen fibers. Microdermabrasion will also remove scarred tissue and prompt fresh collagen production, according to HealthGuidance.org. Several prescription creams that can trigger collagen synthesis are available as well.
Drawbacks
N-Lite therapy, microdermabrasion and prescription creams all require the intervention of your physician or a dermatologist. The creams can be expensive and you must be diligent about maintaining a schedule for applying them, according to All About Stretch Marks. Both laser therapy and microdermabrasion are gradual processes and it can be months before you see results, HealthGuidance.org says.
