Many people associate stretch marks with pregnancy, but anyone who has experienced dramatic growth during adolescence or weight gain or loss, can develop them. While no product can completely remove stretch marks, many options are available for improving their appearance.
What are stretch marks?
Stretch marks are the result of skin stretching past the point of its resiliency. The lines, known medically as striae, are caused by the tissue underneath the skin tearing. While the stretch marks themselves are not dangerous in any way, they can cause some people concern about their aesthetic appearance.
Most Common places for Stretch Marks:
*The belly, especially in pregnant women
*The buttocks
*The breasts
*The shoulders, usually in weight lifters
What are the factors that cause stretch marks?
The skin is stretched to fast which causes the dermis to break down and collapse. An added factor is an increase of the hormone cortisol, which can cause the skin to become less pliable and resistant.
- Pregnancy – the skin can’t expand quick enough to keep up with a developing fetus and add a dramatic increase in hormone production and it simply gets pushed beyond its limits. Approximately 90 percent of all pregnant women will develop stretch marks.
- Genetics -women whose mothers developed stretch marks are far more likely to get them as well.
- Weight Gain/Loss – loss because of surgery are especially prone to stretch marks.
- Rapid Growth – adolescents who rapidly develop.
- Weightlifting – may cause stretch marks, across the shoulders and arms.
- Medications– including topical corticosteroids and chronic use of oral steroids.
- Some medical conditions– primarily those linked to disorders of the adrenal glands.
How can stretch marks be minimized?
Many factors play a part in how much can be done a great deal depends on how fresh the marks are as well as how resilient your skin is.
1. Prevention
Sometimes stretch marks may be inevitable but certain steps can be taken to help prevent them from developing in the first place.
Pregnant women can keep their skin well moisturized with a product containing ingredients like shea butter and collagen.
For others, eating right and avoiding weight gain may be the key.
2. Home remedies for stretch marks
Although there are many home remedies that people tout for removing stretch marks the main effect seen of these is moisturizing the skin.
Applying Vitamin E oil
Taking Vitamin C and applying vitamin C creams
Massaging the skin
3. Medications
Tretinoin (Retin A) helps to rebuild the collagen in the skin, so it can repair itself. It has been shown to improve more recent stretch marks and becomes less effective on those over 6 weeks old. Tretinoin cannot be used during pregnancy or while nursing, so it may not be an option.
4. Cosmetic procedures
Glycolic acid – this chemical peel exfoliates the skin, promoting new growth.
Microdermabrasion– removes the top layer and help new skin rebuild. This treatment is effective on older stretch marks.
5. Medical procedures
Laser Genesis – this laser treatment stimulates growth of collagen and elastin and can help repair the skin under the stretch mark. It can remove the color from fresh stretch marks that are often red or purple. This treatment can be effective even on older stretch marks, and is safe on darker-skinned people.
Sellas Fractional laser creates tiny wounds deep in the skin that causes the body to produce extra collagen and elastin. It works by inducing the skin’s own healing process to repair itself. About two to three treatments are required to restore moderately to severely damaged skin.
Learn more about stretch mark removal from The Laser Image Company in Redondo Beach.
