Remove Stretch Marks with Care
Rapid weight change during periods such as puberty or pregnancy is the common factor in the formation of stretch marks. But you may be wondering what exactly causes stretch marks and how to reduce stretch marks appearance after they have formed. As a general rule, stretch marks develop on the body in regions that store large amounts of fat, and they occur in the dermis, the skin layer which determines its shape.
Stretch Mark Basics
Stretch marks are caused by actual tears in a thinned or technically atrophic skin, with fine dermal collagen bundles arranged in straight lines parallel to the surface. This is your body’s defense mechanism at work in an attempt to heal these tears. The fact is that stretch marks are really scar tissue developed by the body to heal damage caused by thin skin stretched beyond its limits.
Referred to by doctors as “striae” (usually “striae distensae” or, in the case of pregnancy , “striae gravidarum”) stretch marks typically develop after rapid weight gain or loss. They are most common in pregnancy and the teen years, when growth spurts and increased levels of steroid hormones cause major changes throughout the body. The truth is that almost 90% of females who are pregnant develop stretch marks.
Stretch marks are actually skin lesions and are surprisingly the most common type of lesion. Stretch marks, or Striae, are most commonly located on the breasts, hips, thighs, buttocks, abdomen, and flank. Be aware that stretch marks are perfectly normal and are not a medical concern. The issue is that they can become an appearance issue and affect a person’s self esteem.
Stretch Mark Prevention – Your First Line of Defense
A secret to prevent stretch marks from forming is to maintain moisture in the skin during periods of weight gain or loss. This will aid in the reduction of stretch marks and for those that do appear, repair themselve quicker. A process of exfoliation and massaging nutrient-rich natural oils into the skin ,such as wheatgerm, jojoba or vitamin E, will help eliminate stretch marks from your susceptible areas.
The Art of Stretch Mark Removal
The act of massaging the stretch mark affected location is key and increases blood circulation to the affected area, also assisting the healing process. Exfoliation of the area will also help stretch marks removal by shedding dead skin cells and allowing the stretch mark cream to penetrate more effectively into the damaged skin. A warning is warranted though – be careful not to overdo with the exfoliation as it may cause your already damaged skin to become extremely sensitive. Remember, the skin is already damaged so remove stretch marks with care!
