What are stretch marks?
Stretch marks are the fine lines in the skin that occurs when there is weight gain and the skin stretches more. Having stretch marks does not necessarily mean that the person is overweight but there is sudden growth which disrupts the normal production of collagen. Mostly stretch marks are seen in hips, stomach, butt and thighs. These stretch marks are not harmful to health but make appearance bad.
Causes of Stretch marks:
- Pregnancy
- Weight gain
- Puberty and sudden growth
- Breast implant surgery
- High amount of steroid medication
- Marfan syndrome that causes unusual growth.
Risk factors of stretch marks:
- Pregnancy at early age
- Rapid growth during adolescence
- Family history of stretch marks
- Rapid weight gain or rapid weight loss
- Low level of Vitamin D
Stretch marks begin with red or purple marks and over time fade away as silver or white. Though some marks can never disappear but we can make the color of the marks light. Red-tingled stretch marks are easier to treat as they are more responsive to treatment due to presence of functioning blood vessels. Some of the ways to remove stretch marks are as follows:
- Exfoliate: The chemical peel allows to remove dead and damaged cells while enhancing the growth of new cells. Though this method won’t remove the stretch marks completely but it will allow other skin treatments to penetrate deep in the skin so as to make the stretch marks faint.
- Microdermabraisan: This process stimulates the skin to tighten the collagen and elastin fibres to remove the white stretch marks. It is the painless procedure in which exfoliating crystals are sprayed over skin and the dead cells from epidermis are removed with the removal of those crystals.
- Microneedling: It is more effective in reducing the stretch marks in darker skin. It mostly targets the dermis layer where stretch marks are formed. This process triggers increased collagen production that can improve skin’s appearance and reduce stretch marks.
- Laser Therapy: Laser therapy is effective in removing white stretch marks as the laser penetrates the skin and regenerates the skin which stimulate the tissues around the stretch marks and heals the marks fast.
- Cosmetic surgery: Cosmetic surgery removes the stretch marks but it might leave scars and might be painful either.
- Pulsed dye laser therapy: This therapy uses light to calm the blood vessels which works in removing the red stretch marks.
- Ultrasound and radiofrequency: this therapy uses sound energy and send the waves to the skin to heat and tighten the stretch marks.
There are some home remedies either for the reduction of stretch marks which are listed as follows:
- Body makeup: Using body makeup might not reduce stretch marks but it is used to hide those stretch marks from the body.
- Tretinoin: Use of tretinoin cream increases collagen production which can reduce the stretch marks. As it is rich in retinoids, it can fade away the stretch marks but can make skin red, irritated and scaly.
- Bitter almond oil: Massaging the skin area around the belly during pregnancy has shown less stretch marks.
- Vitamin E oil and moisturizers: Using the moisturizer containing Vitamin E, cocoa butter and olive oil can make the skin smooth and reduces the stretch marks.
For the better results, you have to continue the therapies and home remedies. Continuing the procedure for certain sessions might help in reducing the stretch marks.
