Stretch marks: what causes them and how to get rid of them?

It is more correct to call stretch marks striae. In order to understand what stretch marks are, it is necessary to delve a little deeper into the topic of skin structure.

Ideally, the skin should maintain its turgor and be elastic, not succumbing to changes occurring in its deeper layers. However, under the influence of some factors, the synthesis of collagen and its ally, elastin, decreases in the superficial layers of the skin, and special substances, fibroblasts, begin to work actively, which prevent the skin from maintaining its elasticity. Thus, the intradermal tissue increases, and the outer layer of the skin does not have time to stretch at the same speed, and as a result, the reticular layer of the dermis ruptures. Collagen and elastin fibers also rupture in the vessels located under the skin. The result is a specific "failure", a dent, which, of course, does not harm the general state of health in any way, but causes a lot of anxiety and worry due to its unaesthetic appearance. The body does not tolerate voids even in the skin layers and tries to compensate for micro-tears with connective tissue. These intradermal "dips" and breaks are called stretch marks, and the areas where connective cells have formed appear as white scars.

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What causes stretch marks on the skin?

The reasons that provoke stretch marks on the skin can be completely different. Moreover, stretch marks cannot be considered a purely female problem; with some diseases, representatives of the stronger half of humanity can also have stretch marks on their bodies.

The main reason for the appearance of stretch marks is called hormonal disruptions, changes of any etiology, both natural and pathological. Skin stretch marks can "decorate" the body during the period of rapid sexual development, endocrine pathologies also provoke the appearance of stretch marks due to their hormone dependence. As for the hormonal cause, even long-term use of hormonal drugs can provoke skin stretch marks.

The next most important reason is a sharp change in body weight, both significant weight loss and gaining extra pounds puts the outer layer of the epidermis under stress. Most often, stretch marks accompany the joyful period of pregnancy, slightly darkening the life of the expectant mother with their visual unaesthetic manifestations. The more a woman gains weight (both weight and rate of gain affect elasticity), the more scars she has on her body. The thighs and abdomen are most susceptible to stretch marks due to the fact that this is where the subcutaneous fat layer accumulates. The breasts suffer less often in this sense, the skin there is more elastic and adaptive to changes.

Stretch marks are traditionally considered a subject of female anxiety, however, striae can also appear in men who are overweight or have hormonal pathologies. Stretch marks often appear in men in old age, which is also associated with hormonal changes in the body. Stretch marks in children are also quite common. Basically, stretch marks occur in adolescents during puberty, boys less often, girls much more often. Stretch marks can also occur in children with more serious health problems, such as scleroderma. Then, striae are localized in not quite typical places - on the back, legs and even the face.

How do stretch marks form?

Skin stretch marks appear quite hidden. At first, an almost invisible stripe is formed, then the next one joins it. Usually, such early striae are symmetrical, not brightly colored and almost invisible. It happens that early manifestations of stretch marks look like unusual elongated pale bruises. This indicates ruptures of blood vessels, capillaries in the deep layers of the epidermis. Gradually, the failures begin to be compensated by the formed connective tissue, which “paints” the stretch marks white. Skin stretch marks begin to look like pale scars.

Is it possible to treat and remove stretch marks?

The most effective treatment methods are considered to be professional salon procedures in specialized centers.

How to remove stretch marks is up to you. The most effective and popular methods of stretch mark therapy:

• Laser method. Effective at the initial stage, when stretch marks are pinkish in color and have not yet reached the scarring stage. The method is considered gentle and has been used for quite a long time. If necessary, the planned course (3-5 procedures) can be repeated after a few months.
• Wraps are indicated for stretch marks of small length, mainly in young women who have not given birth. Wraps are more of a preventive procedure than a therapeutically effective one.
• Mesotherapy gives excellent results in the fight not only against stretch marks, but also against another problem of many women – cellulite. As a rule, 10-15 sessions are prescribed. The procedure is aimed not only at smoothing out dips, but also at restoring skin elasticity.
• Microdermabrasion. This procedure is actually an abrasive peeling. The skin is treated with a stream of tiny abrasive particles, with the help of which the upper layer of the epidermis is correctly cleaned, thus not only elasticity is restored, but also metabolic processes in the deeper layers of the skin are activated. Such polishing seems to “awaken” the synthesis of collagen fibers with elastin. The procedure can be carried out in a course depending on the number of stretch marks.
• Microcurrents help form new, living tissue under scars. With the help of pulsed effects, elastin and collagen resume their synthesis and gradually replace scar tissue.

If stretch marks on the body are extensive or have appeared long ago and have developed into noticeable scars, sometimes surgery is prescribed. Of course, surgery is performed at the request of the person seeking to get rid of stretch marks, since stretch marks themselves do not pose a health threat. Surgery is always a risk, so you should only agree to it in extreme cases.

How to get rid of stretch marks at home?

The list of effective methods includes the following:

• Home peeling with special peeling products. This procedure should be done regularly. It gives results only in cases of early stretch marks, when they are not filled with connective tissue. Peeling white scars is not only useless, but also dangerous (it can provoke the growth of connective tissue).
• Wraps at home. Essential oils (orange, lemon, bergamot) and salts are used as a therapeutic agent.
• Massage with special cosmetology devices intended for home use. Massage with a hard washcloth or a special roller is also suitable. Before the massage, apply cream against stretch marks or olive oil.

It's easier to prevent stretch marks than to fight them

Therefore, preventive measures should not only be known, but also used as often as possible. Prevention of stretch marks concerns literally all women, regardless of whether they gain weight or not, because the female body is extremely susceptible to hormonal changes, therefore, the threat of stretch marks always exists.

Preventive measures:

• Vitamin therapy – group B, PP, ascorbic acid, vitamins A and E.
• Consumption of foods containing polyunsaturated omega acids (sea fish, seeds, olive oil).
• Constant monitoring of skin elasticity. It is necessary to take care not only of the skin of the face, but also of the skin of the whole body.
• Application of oil preparations externally, applying them to risk areas.
• Use of proven cosmeceuticals.
• Maintaining a water and drinking regime to maintain skin elasticity.
• Giving up bad habits (smoking).
• Maintaining a healthy diet.
• Body weight control.

Stretch marks are unfamiliar to those who care about their health in general. However, there are hereditary factors that can provoke the appearance of stretch marks (structure, skin structure, hormonal background). In such cases, cosmetology offers a lot of effective, safe ways to restore the beauty of the body and forget about worries about stretch marks.