Stretch mark prevention undergarment

Stretch mark prevention undergarments (1) worn around a woman's abdomen, chest, lower torso, legs, buttocks and other areas for reinforcing elastic fibers in the skin and preventing stretch marks. The stretch mark prevention undergarment has an outer layer (2) made of stretchable material and an inner layer (8) of webbed material made of a non-slip material (9). The non-slip material maintains a constant adherent traction with the skin of a wearer, thereby reinforcing elastic fibers of skin. The inner layer is arranged in a webbed “fishnet” or other design to allow a wearer's skin to breath through the outer layer of the stretch mark prevention undergarment. The stretch mark prevention undergarment may be in the form of underwear (14), briefs, underpants, panties, leggings (16), corsets, bras (10) or any combination thereof to help prevent stretch marks on various parts of the body.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to stretch marks caused during pregnancy, more particularly, to an undergarment that may be worn around the abdomen and other areas of a pregnant woman that reinforces the elastic fibers of the skin around the expanding abdomen.

Many women develop stretch marks on their abdomens, chests, legs, buttocks and other areas during pregnancy. Stretch marks are caused by the growth of the baby and rapid expansion of the skin around these areas. Factors that contribute to stretch marks include the age of the woman, the size of the baby, being pregnant with multiple babies and weight gained during pregnancy. Stretch marks are caused by tears or breakage of elastic fibers within the dermis. This commonly occurs as a chain reaction, wherein one elastic fiber rips causing nearby elastic fibers to rip. These multiple rips occur in a line which is visible from the exterior of the skin as a stretch mark. The quality of elastic fibers in a women's skin may be influenced by a women's age. For example, an eighteen year old girl will be more susceptible to stretch marks as she will have fewer already stretched the fibers in her skin to near the breaking point. This is because she has just gone through growth spurts as a result of puberty and the skin has not had time to reinforce itself. However, slightly older women will have more time for the fibers to repair themselves after puberty and will therefore be less susceptible to stretch marks because their skin is reinforced. Many women have significantly more elastic fibers in their skin due to genetic factors. This is why some women get little or no stretch marks during pregnancy while others get severe stretch marks with the same size baby and same weight gain.

Currently, many pregnant women apply lotions and topical ointments to their skin as a preventative measure against stretch marks. However, lotions and topical ointments do not actually address the cause of stretch marks because they provide no reinforcement to prevent the skin's elastic fibers from ripping. Furthermore, many of these lotions and topical ointments contain Vitamin-E, which research has shown to be linked to birth defects. Also, creams and lotions only moisten the outer epidermis and do not reach or support the dermis where the stretch marks occur. Other panty hose garments or body shaping garments claim to reduce stretch marks. However, garments such as these only apply pressure on the skin and do not reinforce the elastic fibers found in the dermis.

Therefore, a need exists for a device for reinforcing the skin of pregnant women, thereby preventing the ripping of elastic fibers in the skin and the resulting stretch marks.

The relevant prior art includes the following references:

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The primary object of the present invention is to provide a stretch mark prevention undergarment that prevents the formation of stretch marks by reinforcing the elastic fibers of the skin.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a stretch mark prevention undergarment that is breathable and comfortable to wear.

An even further object of the present invention is to provide a stretch mark prevention undergarment that will prevent stretch marks from forming on the abdomen and lower torso of a wearer.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a stretch mark prevention undergarment that will prevent stretch marks from forming on the breasts of a wearer.

An even further object of the present invention is to provide a stretch mark prevention undergarment that will prevent stretch marks from forming on the buttocks and pelvis area of a wearer.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a stretch mark prevention undergarment that will prevent stretch marks from forming on upper leg and thigh of a wearer.

The present invention fulfills the above and other objects by providing an undergarment worn around a woman's belly for preventing stretch marks. The undergarment has an outer layer made of smooth, stretchable, non-adherent and breathable material, such as Lycra, spandex, etc., and an inner layer of webbed material made of a stretchable non-slip material, such as silicone, rubber, etc. The non-slip material maintains a constant adherent traction with the skin, thereby reinforcing the skin from the outside to prevent the skin from stretching apart. The webbed “fishnet” design allows the skin to breath through the outer layer of the garment. Alternative embodiments of the undergarment include panties, briefs, bands, leggings, corsets, bras or combinations thereof to help prevent stretch marks and provide support.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

For purposes of describing the preferred embodiment, the terminology used in reference to the numbered accessories in the drawings is as follows:

With reference toFIGS. 1 and 2, in which views of an abdominal stretch mark prevention undergarment1of the present invention is shown. The undergarment1is substantially tubular in shape and has an outer layer2having an outer surface3and an inner surface4. The outer layer2is made of stretchable breathable material, such as Lycra, spandex, etc. Elastomeric bands5are located along an upper edge6and a lower edge7of the undergarment1. The elastomeric bands5assist in keeping the undergarment1in place while being around the lower torso of a wearer, as shown further inFIG. 6. An inner layer8made of a non-slip material9, such as silicone, rubber etc. in located on the inner surface4of the outer layer2of the undergarment1. The inner layer8is preferably arranged in a webbed “fishnet,” diamond-shaped or similar pattern to allow the wearer's skin to make contact with both the inner layer8and the outer layer2of the undergarment1, thereby allowing the skin to breathe. The non-slip material9of the inner layer8maintains a constant adherent traction with the skin of the wearer, thereby preventing the skin around the body from stretching apart and the elastic fibers of the skin from tearing.

With reference toFIG. 3, a rear view of a stretch mark prevention undergarment1of the present invention in the form of a bra10is shown. The undergarment1is a bra10having cups11for supporting the breasts of a wearer. The cups11have an outer layer2with an outer surface3and an inner surface4. The outer layer2is made of stretchable breathable material, such as Lycra, spandex, etc. An inner layer8made of a non-slip material9, such as silicone, rubber, etc., is located on the inner surface4of the outer layer2of the undergarment1. The inner layer8is preferably arranged in a webbed “fishnet” pattern to allow the wearer's skin to make contact with both the inner layer8and the outer layer2of the undergarment1, thereby allowing the skin to breathe. The non-slip material9of the inner layer8maintains a constant adherent traction with the skin of the wearer, thereby preventing the skin around the breasts from stretching apart and the elastic fibers of the skin from tearing. The outer layer2comprises a smooth non-adherent material that will not adhere to outer clothing, thereby allowing the outer clothing to lie smoothly against the stretch mark prevention undergarment1. Shoulder straps12connect the upper portion of the cups11to rear straps13assist in keeping the undergarment1in place while being around the upper torso of a wearer, as shown further inFIG. 6.

With reference toFIG. 4, a front view of a stretch mark prevention undergarment1of the present invention in the form of underwear14is shown. The undergarment1is a pair of underwear14or panties having an outer layer2with an outer surface3and an inner surface4. The outer layer2is made of stretchable breathable material, such as Lycra, spandex, etc, that is smooth and non-adherent so as to not adhere to outer clothing. Elastomeric bands5are located along an upper edge6and lower edges7of the undergarment1. The lower edges7form leg holes15. The elastomeric bands5assist in keeping the undergarment1in place while being around the pelvis area of a wearer, as shown further inFIG. 6. An inner layer8made of a non-slip material9, such as silicone, rubber etc. in located on the inner surface4of the outer layer2of the undergarment1. The inner layer8is preferably arranged in a webbed “fishnet” or other pattern of lines of non-slip material9to allow the wearer's skin to make contact with both the inner layer8and the outer layer2of the undergarment1, thereby allowing the skin to breathe. The non-slip material9of the inner layer8maintains a constant adherent traction with the skin of the wearer, thereby preventing the skin around the pelvis area, buttocks and crotch from stretching apart and the elastic fibers of the skin from tearing. The outer layer2is smooth and non-adherent, thereby not adhering to outer clothing.

With reference toFIG. 5, a front view of a stretch mark prevention undergarment1of the present invention in the form of a legging16is shown. The undergarment1is substantially tubular in shape and has an outer layer2having an outer surface3and an inner surface4. The outer layer2is made of stretchable breathable material, such as Lycra, spandex, etc. Elastomeric bands5are located along an upper edge6and a lower edge7of the undergarment1. The elastomeric bands5assist in keeping the undergarment1in place while being around the upper leg or thigh a wearer, as shown further inFIG. 6. An inner layer8made of a non-slip material9, such as silicone, rubber etc., is located on the inner surface4of the outer layer2of the undergarment1. The inner layer8is preferably arranged in a webbed “fishnet” or other pattern to allow the wearer's skin to make contact with both the inner layer8and the outer layer2of the undergarment1, thereby allowing the skin to breathe. The non-slip material9of the inner layer8maintains a constant adherent traction with the skin of the wearer, thereby preventing the skin around the upper leg and thigh from stretching apart and the elastic fibers of the skin from tearing.

Finally with reference toFIG. 6, a side view of multiple stretch mark prevention undergarments1of the present invention being worn is shown. The stretch mark prevention undergarments1include a bra10for preventing stretch marks on the breasts, an undergarment1for preventing stretch marks around on the abdomen and lower torso, a pair of underwear14for preventing stretch arks on the buttocks and pelvic region and an undergarment16for preventing stretch marks on the upper leg and thigh. In addition, any or all of these units can be combined into a single garment.