Stretch Marks Causes and Solutions
Stretch marks are red to white, linear, sometimes depressed scars that can stay in your skin for a long time. Stretch marks occur in the dermis, the elastic second layer of skin that allows it to keep its form. However, when constantly stretched, the skin can break down leaving behind marks. Dermal collagen is damaged and blood vessel dilation results in the appearance of reddish or purple-colored stretch marks.
When your skin is excessively stretched during pregnancy, weight gain or growth spurts, stretch marks or striae can show. They can also be caused by certain medications, including hormones and steroids. Stretch marks occur when quickly expanding skin is stretched to its limit and small tears show in the supporting layers of skin.
Over time the redness of the original scar may fade and the lines of the stretch mark may become lighter in color than the surrounding skin. The lines may become take on a shiny, depressed appearanceor acquire an aberrant scar like texture.
Men and women can have stretch marks on several patches of their skin, including the abdominal area, hips, breasts, flank, thighs, upper arms or lower back. They affect 70% of adolescent females and about 40% of young men.
Stretch Marks and Pregnancy
Though the nine months of pregnancy are a beautiful time in a woman’s life, there are a host of undesirable changes that happen in the skin during this time. Some of these are due to hormonal influences and others are due to the mechanical changes in the organism linked with pregnancy.
Stretch marks are one of the most recognized and talked about dermal changes that can happen during pregnancy. They are thought to be a consequence of the thinning of the skin during this time period due to female hormones which alter the protein equilibrium in the skin. Almost 90% of pregnant women will suffer stretch marks, usually forming during the third trimester.
There is a genetic predisposition to forming stretch marks during pregnancy. Many women consider the appearance of stretch marks to be distressing. Fortunately, the removal stretch marks is possible.
How to get rid of stretch marks
There are plenty over-the-counter therapies aimed to prevent stretch marks, such as Strivectin. Unfortunately no topical remedies have been medically proven to enhance the appearance of stretch marks. RetinA, glycolic acid, alphahydroxy acids have been prescribed with very little success. Dermabrasion or chemical peels have also been used. The effects of these therapies range from fair to minimal.
Surgical options to deal with these types of lesions, imply removing large patches of stretched skin. In a tummy tuck procedure, for instance, skin below the belly button is retired. This is usually an area in which stretch marks are prominent. It also works by toning the skin in surrounding regions. These surgical procedures are effective, but are more invasive than other solutions and thus imply longer recovery time.
The best solution to get rid of stretch marks and other skin blemishes comes now in the shape of a new skin care product, made with the best natural components to rejuvenate your skin.
- Valerie Garnier
:: Oct.08.2008 :: 1087 ::
