Questions And Answers To Stretch Marks

It is common to get people asking me about stretch marks, so I have decided to create a topic to answer everything about stretch marks.

What are stretch marks?
Stretch marks or striae (singular stria), as they are called in dermatology, are a form of scarring on the skin with an off-color hue. It is usually purple or red in color when they first appear and over time, it will turn more into a silvery-white color. They are caused by tearing of the dermis,  which is the middle layer of our skin. Dermis is the elastic part of our skin that allows it to retain its shape even when we move, stretch and grow.

Where do stretch marks appear?
Stretchmarks can appear on any parts of the body. but are most likely to appear in places where larger amounts of fat are stored. Most common places are the abdomen (especially near the navel), breasts, upper arms, underarms, back, thighs (both inner and outer), hips, and buttocks. For example, a person who went through a quick growth spurt when they were younger could possibly have stretch marks on their legs; a woman who experienced breast growth during puberty or pregnancy could have stretch marks on their breasts; a person who is doing a lot of weight training could experience stretch marks in the areas where their bodies are building muscle.

Will stretch marks disappear?
Stretch marks will not disappear completely and are usually permanent marks on the skin.

Can I get rid of stretch marks completely?
There are creams in the market that can help to reduce the appearance of stretch marks greatly. The best way to deal with stretch marks is to prevent them from appearing by keeping your skin and body healthy. Exercise also helps. It depends on where the stretch marks are. If they are on your legs, then run, jog, walk, or do any kind of leg movement daily.  Make sure you keep your body hydrated and nourished by drinking lots of water. Have a balanced diet to get proper nutrients. Apply sunscreen. (Remember it's very important!)

Can laser treatments and chemical peels help to get rid of stretch marks completely?
Laser treatments and chemical peels help to a certain extend in getting rid of stretch marks. However, that will cost A LOT of money. If these treatments did not work well for your skin, it actually causes your skin to be more sensitive and sometimes the after procedures could actually your skin more prone to pigmentation.

Are stretch marks bad for me?
Stretch marks do not affect your body or skin in any ways.

Who are the people that will get stretch marks more easily?
Stretch marks may be influenced by hormonal changes associated with puberty, pregnancy, muscle building, hormone replacement therapy for transsexuals, genetic, weight gain, weight loss etc. Even men and teens are also not spared from getting stretch marks.

Can medicine affect you on getting stretch marks?
Yes it can. Medicines like steroids can contribute to stretch marks as this can adversely affect the hormone balance of the body.

With a little self maintenance, you can prevent stretch marks easily. You can restore skin elasticity by following the right procedures. It could even be healthier, firmer and tighter than before! You can check out this recommendation: How to get rid of stretch marks for reducing the appearance of stretch marks.

How To Get Rid Of Stretch Marks

Stretch Marks usually appear when skin changes shape too quickly. When you are going through extreme weight gain, weight loss or pregnancy, your skin will stretch and when it is overstretched, the fiber in the middle layer of your skin(dermis) will tear and cause scarring.

Fresh stretch marks appear initially as red lines and then slowly fade to a pale white color over the course of several months. It is easier to prevent stretch marks from forming.

How To Prevent Stretch Marks

Apply Creams and Lotions

Keep skin hydrated. Use viscous natural oil/lotions containing cocoa butter. It was known to prevent stretch marks entirely. However, always consult your doctor before applying any cream on your body because it can contain ingredients that may be passed to unborn baby or into breast milk.

Drink lots of water

Drink six to eight eight-ounce glasses of water every day. Water is the best source to keep skin hydrated and supple. Do take note not to count coffee, tea or caffeinated soda as part of your water intake.

Take Vitamin A, E & C – Supplementing these vitamins may help increase the strength and elasticity of the collagen within your skin and reducing your chance of forming stretch marks. Vitamin A can help to repair skin tissue, Vitamin C helps in collagen production like oranges, Vitamin E is believed to strengthen the skin's elasticity. Food rich in Vitamin E are avocado, green leafy vegetables and nuts.

Do not panic even if you have stretch marks appearing, it does not mean you can't eliminate the appearance of stretch marks. The earlier you treat them, the better your chances of making the stretch marks disappear.

There are creams in the market that can help to flatten out the ridges and furrows of the stretch marks. Stretta Stretch Mark Cream is a doctor-formulated cream designed to minimize the appearance of stretch marks on the body.

Stretta Stretch Mark Removal Process

Step 1(Remove):Stretta works to strip layers of dead and unwanted skin, allowing new, healthy skin to take its place.

Step 2(Repair):Centella Asiatica (a key ingredient in Stretta) helps to promote collagen, and once the collagen network is rebuilt the skin begins to tone and rejuvenate. Stretta is a combination of esthetician-grade Glycolic Acid, natural collagen enhancing extracts, and peptides designed to significantly reduce the visible ridges and discoloration of your stretch marks by triggering more rapid-than-normal collagen and elastin creation.

Step 3(Rejuvenate): Combining organic ingredients and effective healing agents, it will continue to rejuvenate your skin, making it completely renewed with other combined organically ingredients like aloe vera, witch hazel and vitamin E.

No matter what kind of stretch mark you have now, from light thin lines acquired during pregnancy to old white marks that have been with you for years. Stretta has shown promising results in treating scars and pock marks from acne. Best of all, they are offered rather inexpensively and discretely. All with a money-back guarantee.

Women With Stretch Marks !!!

Eeeee!! Stretch Marks!!! I screamed out loud when spotted my first stretch mark. Like any other woman, I do not want STRETCH MARKS!!! :(

Stretch marks or striae (singular stria), as they are called in dermatology, are a form of scarring on the skin with an off-color hue. They are caused by tearing of the dermis, which over time may diminish, but will not disappear completely.

Stretch marks are often the result of the rapid stretching of the skin associated with rapid growth. Stretch marks may also be influenced by hormonal changes associated with puberty, pregnancy, muscle building, hormone replacement therapy for transsexuals, etc.

One thing for sure, more than half of the pregnant women will develop stretch marks during pregnancy. It is usually around the abdomen area, thighs, hips, breast and even backs! However, don't think in a manner that stretch marks only happen to pregnant women. It happens to women who are not as well, especially if you going through an extreme weight gain or loss.

Hence, it is always better to start some prevention for stretch marks to form earlier than late.