Both men and women often get stretch marks. They manifest during periods of fast development, such as puberty, maternity, and muscular increase. Although certain underlying medical issues might cause stretch marks, they are mostly innocuous and don’t need to be treated.
Even though stretch marks are often neither avoidable nor curable, they eventually diminish. You should be aware that scars are often an inevitable result of bodily changes as you age. At least a few of these markers are present in almost everyone. Dealing with these changes could be made easier if you accept your epidermis as it is.
Stretch marks: An explanation
Stretch marks, also known as striae atrophicus, develop when the skin expands or shrinks quickly. Stretch marks after weight reduction may appear on the stomach, forearms, breasts, thighs, or buttocks of more than 90% of individuals.
Striae rubrae refers to the early stages of stretch marks. At this point, the stretch marks are red and perpendicular to the skin’s stretched portion. They are known as striae albae once the stretch marks have faded.
But are these scars unhealthy for you? Fortunately, no. Stretch marks have the same ridge-like or indented sensation on the skin as other scars do. They might sometimes be irritating or painful as well. However, except for that, they are entirely safe.
The astonishing thing is that if you understand how to deal with them, these markings may also disappear with time. And this will be the topic of this blog article. So please stick with this article as you walk through this brief guide’s fundamentals and treatment alternatives for stretch marks.
What causes stretch marks?
Stretch marks develop naturally due to internal tearing brought on by fast expansion. Even though the skin is flexible, it often rips inside and leaves scars recognized as stretch marks.
Stretch marks are typical in the following circumstances:
- quick weight loss
- Cushing’s syndrome; bodybuilding; taking corticosteroids for further than a few weeks; puberty;
Who is susceptible to getting stretch marks?
If you are a woman,
- who has a family background of stretch marks,
- has Marfan syndrome
- has a higher body weight,
- have undergone substantial weight loss,
- take corticosteroid medications,
Your risk of developing scars increases. Stretch marks might vary in color and look according to the tone of your epidermis, but they usually stand out more. If your skin is darker, choose a dependable source.
Do stretch marks go away?
If upset with stretch marks, go for home remedies. It’s always recommended to go for home remedies first. Even if those markings persist despite your best efforts to minimize them, schedule a consultation with your dermatologists to discuss your alternatives.
Your doctor might recommend the greatest and most specialized treatment solutions. Nevertheless, certain therapies might have undesirable side effects, especially while pregnant. Therefore, weighing the advantages and disadvantages of any medication you choose is essential.
The following are typical approaches to treating stretch marks:
Cures at home for stretch marks
Numerous creams, serums, lotions, and other skin ointments are available that claim that they may either prevent or cure them. However, there needs to be more evidence that any of those products function. Some medical procedures and natural therapies may lighten or cover stretch marks:
Body makeup and self-tanner.: Stretch marks may be concealed with body makeup and self-tanner. Be aware that stretch marks won’t disappear with tanning. They are simpler to perceive as a result.
Tretinoin: Retinoids, a substance linked to Vitamin A, are present in tretinoin-containing creams (Retin-A). Retinoids increase collagen synthesis. Wrinkles are often treated using them. They could aid in the fading of more recent stretch marks. However, they may also burn or scald your skin.
Collagen boosters: Lupin seed extract and StriVectin-SD are said to raise collagen levels in the skin. However, it’s unclear if they’ll reduce the appearance of or eliminate stretch marks.
Centella Asiatica: This natural oil stimulates the body’s collagen-producing and skin-tissue-building cells. Some individuals use it to aid with wound healing. Many over-the-counter skin lotions for stretch marks include Centella Asiatica, although there is less evidence that it works to reduce their appearance.
Vitamin E oil, Olive oil, cocoa butter, moisturizer, and other moisturizers: These organic moisturizers may soften your skin, but it’s unclear whether or not they can treat or prevent scars.
Keep hydrated.: Soft skin does not tend to have stretch marks, unlike dryness, which increases your chance of getting them. Enough water consumption throughout the day helps keep your skin moisturized and smooth. Limit your consumption of caffeinated beverages like coffee as they may increase your risk of getting stretch marks.
Consume Nutritious Foods: One of the finest things you can do for the skin and overall health is to eat a well-rounded diet. Diet must include a mix of vitamins, enzymes, and minerals. Make sure your diet includes foods containing healthy nutrients like zinc, Vit C, iron, Vit D, & vitamin E since these nutrients may improve the health of your skin and collagen synthesis.
Receiving Enough Vitamin D: According to research, stretch marks are more likely to appear when vitamin D levels are low in the blood. Estrogen receptors increase as vitamin D shortage does. Stretch marks are more common in women who have low vitamin D levels because of this. Therefore, consuming the required vitamin D helps lower the likelihood of stretch mark development. Foods high in vitamin D include broccoli, cheese, eggs, salmon, soy products, and mushrooms. Additionally, sunshine is a natural way to get the essential vitamin D your body needs.
Preserve a healthy weight: Maintaining a healthy weight is one of the most effective and practical strategies to prevent stretch marks. Stretch marks appear when the skin is overextended or forced to develop excessively. This happens when collagen production is disturbed. Therefore, your best option to avoid stretch marks is to maintain a healthy weight through appropriate eating and exercise.
Getting stretch marks treated medically
To help the markings vanish, a dermatologist or plastic surgeon may employ lasers or other procedures. Your skin may produce more collagen with its aid:
Pulsed dye laser treatment: A harmless burst of light is utilized in pulsed dye laser treatment to treat fresh, red stretch marks. Blood vessels beneath your epidermis that could be the source of the markings are calmed by the light’s energy.
Fractional CO2 laser therapy: A recent procedure called fractional CO2 laser therapy has the potential to erase old, white stretch scars. According to one research, women who used topical creams containing glycolic acid and tretinoin saw their stretch marks disappear after five sessions as opposed to those who did not.
Excimer laser treatment: Stretch marks are exposed to focused ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation during excimer laser treatment. Little research demonstrates that therapies for one to four months may address stretch mark pigment issues.
Microdermabrasion: Small crystals are used in microdermabrasion to remove the top layer of skin. Recent research found that this therapy assisted in fading new, reddish stretch marks when used with skin peels.
Cosmetic surgery: Skin containing stretch marks may be removed through cosmetic surgery, such as a stomach tuck. However, these procedures could leave scars. They’re also often expensive and uncomfortable. To remove damaged and dead skin cells, a chemical peel uses an acidic solution to burn off the top skin’s uppermost layers. Stretch marks won’t fully disappear with this therapy, but they could improve.
Radiofrequency therapies: Radiofrequency employs radio wave radiation to generate heat and stimulate collagen production in your body. This procedure is safe and, therefore, can reduce stretch marks, according to a small study, but additional research is required. Radiofrequency therapies and ultrasound are similar in how they operate. The process heats, tighten, and kick-start collagen formation by sending sound waves deep into your skin.
Topical Treatment: According to research, tretinoin cream 0.1% is a good topical treatment for enhancing stretch marks’ clinical appearance. Tretinoin is indeed a retinoid drug that increases collagen synthesis and cellular turnover. It works best when stretch marks are still in their early stages. But despite their potential to lessen their appearance, topical therapies cannot eliminate stretch marks. Also, possible adverse effects of retinoic acid or tretinoin include peeling, redness, discoloration, and sun sensitivity. So be sure to check with a healthcare professional before using tretinoin.
Treatment using tiny needles: Stretch mark healing is accelerated by micro-needling Treatment, a minimally invasive technique that raises collagen and elastin production. Stretch marks now have a better look and texture as a consequence. You may need an average of 3 sessions of micro-needling therapy spaced four weeks apart for long-term benefits.
What are the most prevalent stretch marks?
Each stretch mark has a unique appearance that varies depending on the length of time you’ve had it, what caused it, where it is on the body, and the kind of skin you have. Here are a few of the most typical stretch marks below:
The back has stretch marks.
Backstretch marks are often caused by quick weight loss and rapid development. Exercise, stress, hereditary factors, excessive corticosteroid usage, and Cushing syndrome are other causes. They often take the shape of a horizontal pattern on your lower back but may rise higher or reach directly over the buttocks.
Stretch marks on the thighs and legs
Stretch marks on the thighs or legs are fairly common and may be brought on by weight loss, muscle development, hormonal imbalances, or medical disorders. They often go away with time. Your inner thighs may develop red or purple stretch marks. The region becomes thinner as your middle layer of skin rips, and the blood vessels under your skin are exposed, which creates the color.
Buttocks with stretch marks
Stretch marks from when you were a teen going through hormonal fluctuations are most often seen on your butt. It may also be brought on by fast development and skin stretching.
Arms that have stretch marks
Stretch marks on the arms often appear due to a rapid expansion of their size or elongation of the skin. They may be brought on by excessive weight lifting, weight loss, and hormonal changes.
Breast stretches markings
Puberty-related hormonal changes may cause the breast tissue to develop quickly, stretching the skin. Stretch marks on the breasts may result from the thinning of the skin. For many females, it is a specific aspect of adolescence.
Stretch stains on the hips and stomach
Your stomach usually develops long, thin, undulating stretch marks due to weight loss, puberty, or fast weight loss.
Shoulder with stretch marks
Your shoulders develop stretch marks mostly due to fast mass growth from either muscle or fat. Shoulder stretch marks are often the result of bodybuilding.
Young adult stretch marks
Girls going through puberty often get stretch marks. This may be visible as fine lines on the body and result from how the body grows.
The knees have stretch marks.
Stretch marks develop on the knees due to rapid weight loss. Particularly if you prefer to carry most of your body weight in your legs. They can also enlarge and connect to our thighs’ stretch marks.
What physical signs do stretch marks have?
Depending on the skin tone and how long they have been there, stretch marks may have a variety of hues when they first develop. Early stretch marks may feel deeper or stronger than normal and may itch a little. The pigment eventually dries off and settles into your skin.
What shades of stretch marks are there?
Depending on their depth, age, kind, and location, stretch marks may have a variety of colors.
Stretch marks that are red, purple, black, or brown
The first appearance of new stretch marks might vary based on the skin’s pigmentation, appearing as vivid red, purple, black, or brown. Your skin’s surface has stretched, which is the cause of this. These stretch marks could itch a little bit. These markings may be removed more quickly since they are fresh.
Stretch marks in white or silver
It gradually changes to the hue of white or silver stretch marks before disappearing entirely. These are the most difficult to treat, as they develop when the blood vessels shrink, exposing the fat under the skin.
Conclusion
Stretch marks are common, but you could lessen their visibility using makeup, self-tanners, creams, or surgery.
If the root reason for the stretch is no longer a problem, stretch marks might sometimes disappear. The vast majority of the time marks progressively become less noticeable scars. While some weight reduction may result in stretch marks, it’s more typical for fast weight loss to be the culprit. Stretch marks may be avoided, or their effects can be lessened by preparing your body for weight fluctuations. Keeping your skin hydrated might also help. With lotions and other treatments, you may also lessen their effects.
Faq
Q1: Can physical activity lessen stretch marks?
Daily exercise provides a variety of advantages. However, exercise cannot remove stretch marks. Stretch marks are a kind of scar; exercises won’t help the scar tissue or repair the elastic and collagen that has burst.
Q2: How can stretch marks be avoided after decreasing weight?
You must regulate your pace of weight reduction if you want to avoid stretch marks. Aim for weekly weight loss of no more than 1% of your body weight. You must also consume a diet high in nutrients and keep yourself hydrated. Eat foods high in zinc, add vitamin C to your diet, and get some vitamin D. These elements increase collagen and lessen the severity of stretch marks.
Q3: What happens to your body if you lose 50 pounds?
Losing 50 pounds may have a significant impact on your physique. Amazing things like your memory and eye health improve, and your blood pressure and cholesterol are likely to decrease. But hanging skin is more likely to happen to you.
Q4: Does skin shrink after losing weight?
The skin may contract after losing muscle or fat because of its elastic nature. With weight reduction, the skin may lose some of its elastic properties if extra fat remains there for a long period. However, the skin may retract or shrink for modest to significant weight reduction. Rapid weight reduction may not have the same effects.
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