Stretch marks, medically known as ‘striae’, are lines that develop on the skin as a result of excessive stretching. They commonly appear during pregnancy, puberty, or periods of rapid weight change. For many women, these marks become a source of concern about their physical appearance.
A number of women in Laghman say they experience a condition known as striae, or stretch marks, during pregnancy. According to them, the sudden appearance of these marks on their skin has caused fear, anxiety, and severe psychological distress.
Marwa, a 22-year-old resident of Laghman, is one of the women who developed stretch marks on her abdomen and thighs during the eighth month of pregnancy. She says seeing these lines on her skin has made her feel unhappy.
“When my baby was born, the stretch marks did not go away. They are still there, and I am very upset about them. My husband tells me not to worry and says that all women experience this condition. But if I had sought treatment earlier, they might have improved by now,” she says.
Pari Gul, a 25-year-old resident of Laghman, shares a similar experience. She says that during the fourth month of her pregnancy, after experiencing itchy skin, stretch marks began to appear on her body. According to her, these changes in her appearance have affected her mental well-being.
“I used homemade oils, but the marks did not disappear. It affected my mental health a lot. I even hid them from my husband so that he would not laugh at me. Now, all I want is for my baby to be healthy, but if I had known about this condition earlier, I would not have suffered so much. I have three children, and this has been a very distressing experience for me. At first, my husband was worried, but later he told me that it is a natural condition and that I should not be too afraid of it,” she explains.
Sohaila, another 24-year-old woman from Laghman, says that despite trying to prevent stretch marks by using various skin creams, lines still appeared on her skin during the seventh month of her pregnancy, and she now feels embarrassed by the changes in her appearance.
“I applied Vaseline, but it did not help much. Whenever I looked at the marks, I felt very sad. They are still there and have not improved. Seeing these lines made me feel very embarrassed and sad, but now I am trying to become accustomed to this condition,” she says.
Meanwhile, obstetrics and gynecology specialists say that stretch marks are actually a form of tearing in the skin’s second layer, caused by excessive stretching, particularly during pregnancy.
Wazhma Sadat, an obstetrics and gynecology specialist at the Alingar District Clinic in Laghman, explains, “Women who gain weight rapidly or are carrying larger babies are more likely to develop this condition. Maintaining a healthy diet, drinking enough water, and using vegetable oils are very important. Stretch marks that are new and reddish in color respond better to treatment.”
Rima Safi, another obstetrics and gynecology specialist at the Central Clinic of Laghman, says that although stretch marks cannot be completely treated, early care can reduce their severity and help prevent new ones from forming.
“We recommend that mothers keep the skin of their abdomen moisturized with vegetable oils such as olive oil, ordinary oil, or Vaseline, and that they not be afraid of this condition. This helps keep the skin soft and may help prevent new stretch marks from forming. Young girls and women with thinner skin are more vulnerable. Although stretch marks cannot be completely treated, early care, a healthy diet, light exercise, and the use of moisturizers can reduce their severity and help prevent additional marks from appearing,” she adds.
According to doctors, physical changes during pregnancy are a natural part of a woman’s experience, and stretch marks are among the most common of these changes, as the skin stretches with the baby’s growth. In many cases, these marks are permanent; however, with medical advice and early treatment, their appearance and the intensity of their color can be reduced.
Reporter: Lima Raees Khail
