The Art of Reducing Stretch Marks
Remove Stretch Marks the Easy Way
Stretch marks are most prevalent during puberty and pregnancy – times when the body undergoes rapid weight changes. But you may be wondering what exactly causes stretch marks and how to fade stretch marks appearance after they have formed. As a general rule, stretch marks form in those body areas that store large amounts of fat, and they occur in the dermis, the skin layer which determines its shape.
Stretch Marks Defined
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. These marks are created by your own body to heal those tears. The fact is that stretch marks are essentially scar tissue created by the body to heal damage caused by expanding skin that is too thin.
Known by doctors as “striae” (usually “striae distensae” or, in the case of pregnancy , “striae gravidarum”) stretch marks typically develop after a period of rapid weight gain or loss. They are most common during pregnancy and the teen years, when periods of rapid growth and increased levels of steroid hormones cause radical changes throughout the body. The reality is that almost 90% of pregnant women get stretch marks.
A little known fact is that the annoying stretch mark is really the most common form of skin lesion. Stretch marks, or Striae, are most commonly located on the breasts, hips, thighs, buttocks, abdomen, and flank. The good news is that stretch marks are absolutely normal and are not a medical concern. The dilemma is that stretch marks can become an appearance issue and affect a person’s self esteem.
Preventing Stretch Marks – 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 help reduce stretch marks and for those that do appear, repair themselve quicker. A regimen of exfoliation and massaging nutrient-rich natural oils into the skin ,such as wheatgerm, jojoba or vitamin E, will help fade stretch marks from your high risk 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 word of caution 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!
