You want to know how to get rid of stretch marks right? Read on then …
Stretch marks (also referred to as “striae”) are very common. They form in the middle layer of the skin and appear in the form of a sort of red, purple of pink rippling effect. They can form on different areas of the body – especially on the buttocks, the arms and the abdomen). But, what about treatment? I guess that’s why you’re here?
As the name suggests, stretch marks can occur anywhere where the skin has been stretched. Generally speaking they are more common among pregnant women and people who either gained or lost a lot of weight over a relatively short period of time.
Whilst they can strike anywhere they usually affect areas where fat is naturally stored. Areas such as the abdomen, breasts, arms above the elbow, buttocks, upper legs, the back. They can also form in areas of muscle growth in bodybuilders.
What Are Stretch Marks
As you know and the name suggests, stretch marks are caused when the skin stretches rapidly usually as a result of sudden body changes or weight gain. When the skin over-stretches the inter- connected fibres in the middle layer of skin can break and when this happens the blood vessels below and the deeper layers of skin to show through and that’s what causes the striped appearance of stretch marks and why they are differing in color and appearance and often red or purple at early stage.
The appearance will change over time – when the weight or size reduces and blood vessels contract they will become paler, often changing to a lighter silver / white color.
Causes Of Stretch Marks
The causes of stretch marks are still not fully understood. They are not due to external injuriesa but are formed when your skin is damaged from the inside through excess stretching. Basically, if the skin is not given the chance to adjust gradually, the fibers below the skins surface break and the result is the formation of scar tissue. It’s this scar tissue that we know as stretch marks.
Doctors have agreed upon several factors that increases the risk of developing stretch marks sooner or later:
Pregnancy is, as you’d expect, one of the main causes of stretch marks. This is due to the rapid change in body size and shape and the extreme stretching of the abdominal skin. Stretch mark prevention is highly recommend at this time.
Weight gain also causes stretch marks. The actual risk being dependent on the amount of weight gained and how quickly it’s been put on.
Puberty is another time when the body changes dramatically. Especially in girls when breasts start to grow and form. Hormonal imbalances at this time can also influence the apparition of stretch marks. This is because hormonal changes are directly linked to weight gain (especially during these teenage years).
Stretch marks are also very common amongst professional or serious bodybuilders. In their case, these marks are caused by fast muscle mass gain.
If there is a family history of stretch marks then the chances are that you will develop them too at a certain point in your life. So, it is believed that there is a genetic component to stretch marks too and hence one that we have little control over.
Medical Condition To Be Aware Of
There are also a number of medical conditions (such as Cushing’s syndrome or Marfan syndrome) and medication (such as oral corticosteroids or topical steroids) which can be the cause.
Even though they are harmless and they unaesthetic rather than dangerous, stretch marks can indicate a more serious cause, such as a genetic disorder, the Marfan Syndrome or adrenal gland disease. If you notice numerous stretch marks on your shoulders, hip or lower back you might suffer from the Marfan Syndrome, which is basically caused by a gene that affects your skin and your connective tissue.
Always seek professional medical advice on how to get rid of stretch marks if you have any concerns whatsoever.
How To Get Rid Of Stretch Marks
There are countless creams and treatments on the market but no one product that’s guaranteed to work for all. There’s also a limited number of surgical options:
Laser Therapy: May not cure but can certainly help fade the scarring
Cosmetic Surgery: Drastic and only very rarely recommended or considered
Microdermabrasion: A painless procedure to tighten collagen and elastin fibers.
Microneedling: Multiple minute needles are stabbed into the skin in order to stimulate collagen production.
Exfoliate: Always helps by clearing off the dead skin and stimulating new, healthy growth.
Topical Treatments: When considering how to get rid of stretch marks this is usually the place to start. The focus with all treatments is on keeping the skin clear, clean and healthy and in the production of collagen and elastin. There are many options on the market with a couple of skin care direct options below.
Of course, it’s not just about how to get rid of stretch marks it’s about preventing them forming in the first place. If you know you’re at risk then look for a good stretch mark prevention cream. You’re most at risk if you’re changing weight for whatever reason. Such as pregnancy or building bulk at the gym! Many of the top creams are effective as both a treatment and a preventative cream. It’s not a bad idea to look for one that does both.
Recommended Stretch Mark Treatment
This treatment cream is designed to stimulate your skin to produce more collagen and elastin. These two substances are responsible for skin elasticity. They both play a pivotal role when it comes to preventing stretch marks and treating the existing ones. A well-hydrated epidermis that is rich in collagen and elastin is considerably less prone to develop stretch marks over the years!
Skinception Intensive Stretch Mark Therapy reduces the appearance of stretch marks with a ground-breaking list of ingredients. These ingredients include the renoen Darutoside® and Regestril®.
In recent clinical studies, Skinception™ Intensive Stretch Mark Therapy reduced the appearance of stretch marks by 72.5% in just two months!
Skinception Intensive Stretch Mark Therapy fades, and even erases stretch marks on the stomach, breasts, upper arms, thighs and buttocks. Read Our Review >>>
Useful Stretch Mark Related Links:
Skinception Intensive Stretch Mark Therapy Review
Natural Ways To Get Rid Of Stretch Marks