What Are Stretch Marks?
Stretch marks are fine lines within the skin that happen once fast growth or weight gain stretches the skin (like throughout puberty). Skin is typically fairly stretchy, however when it's overstretched, the conventional production of albuminoid (the major protein that creates up the tissue in skin) is disrupted. As a result, the skin can develop stretch marks.
At first, stretch marks might show up as cherry or purple lines that may look indented and have a distinct texture from the skin around them. Stretch marks typically flip lighter and nearly disappear over time.Stretch marks, or scars that happen once your skin speedily stretches or shrinks, generally show up as bands of lines running across your skin.
Stretch marks are quite common — estimates counsel up to ninety % of individuals have them. They ordinarily seem throughout or once pregnancy, or after different unexpected or speedy changes in your weight. For example, rapidly growing adolescentsTrusted supply may notice some stretch marks.
These marks will appear concerning anywhere, however they’re most typical on your:
stomach
breasts
upper arms
thighs
buttocks
When you bite them together with your fingers, you may feel a small ridge or indentation on your skin. they might additionally feel unquiet or sore.
Stretch marks aren’t harmful to your health. Like alternative scars, they will be permanent, however they will amend and fade over time. For instance, stretch marks from gestation tend to fade around half-dozen monthsTrusted supply when delivery.
browse on to be told a lot regarding stretch marks, and get the main points on treatments that might facilitate building them less noticeable.
Explanation of medical terms and concept Stretch marks
Stretch marks (striae) are indented streaks that seem on the abdomen, breasts, hips, however stocks or different places on the body. They're common in pregnant women, particularly throughout the last trimester. Stretch marks aren't painful or harmful, but some individuals don't just like the method they create their skin look. Stretch marks don't need treatment. They usually fade over time, with or while not treated. they will ne'er disappear completely.
: Causes and Treatment Stretch marks are not a serious health condition; however they can be unsightly They are caused by the tearing of the dermis the middle layer of skin that contains collagen and elastin fibers Stretch marks form when this layer is stretched quickly by weight gain or pregnancy The body tries to repair itself by producing more collagen but this results in scarring and stretch marks.
are caused by Stretch marks are a colloquial term for striae distensae which is a type of scarring on the skin that occurs when it is pulled apart Most stretch marks appear on the buttocks thighs and breasts and are often associated with body building and pregnancy Stretch marks can be caused slightly differently depending on why they developed For example if you develop them during pregnancy then it was due to your body growing faster than your skin could adjust to it; this results in stress lines being formed beneath the surface of your skin If you’re developing them due to muscle atrophy then the underlying cause will be different The excess fat underneath your skin.
Symptoms Stretch marks
Before stretch marks begin to emerge, the skin can seem skinny and pink. it should additionally feel irritated or itchy. The marks at first develop as wrinkly, raised streaks which will be red, purple, pink, achromatic or dark brown, looking at skin color. The streaks eventually fade and flatten and have a tendency to vary to a silvery color over time. Stretch marks may step by step diminish noticeably, however this could typically take years.Stretch marks don't all look alike. They vary depending on however long you've had them, what caused them, wherever they're on your body and the kind of skin you have. Common variations include:
Indented streaks or lines on the abdomen, breasts, hips, buttocks or other places on the body
Pink, red, black, blue or purple streaks
Bright streaks that fade to a lighter color
Streaks covering large areas of the body
When to see a doctor
See your doctor if you're involved concerning the looks of your skin or if the stretch marks cowl massive areas of your body. Your doctor will facilitate confirming the reason for the stretch marks and discuss treatment options.
Causes Stretch marks
The reason for stretch marks is stretching of the skin. Their severity is full of many factors, together with your biology additionally the} degree of stress on the skin. Your level of the internal secretion hydrocortisone also may play a role. hydrocortisone — a hormone created by the adrenal glands — weakens elastic fibers within the skin.When your skin speedily stretches or shrinks, it causes the scleroprotein and albuminoid in your skin to break. Elastin’s main role is to permit your skin to stretch. Collagen’s main role is to produce structure, strength and support to your skin. As your skin heals, stretch marks seem in areas wherever scleroprotein breaks.
Risk factors Stretch marks
A number of risk factors are related to the event of stretch marks, however the proof varies. additional analysis is required to substantiate the causes of stretch marks.
Anyone can develop stretch marks, but some factors increase your likelihood of getting them, including:
Being female
Having a personal or family history of stretch marks
Being pregnant, especially if you're young
Rapid growth in adolescence
Rapidly gaining or losing weight
Using corticosteroids
Having breast enlargement surgery
Exercising and using anabolic steroids
Having a genetic disorder such as Cushing's syndrome or Marfan syndrome
These findings are often explained by the bigger degrees of skin stretching in corpulent girls with larger babies, and by age-related changes in skin albuminoid and animal tissue that have an effect on the probability of tearing.
Diagnosis Stretch marks
Stretch marks don't typically get diagnosed. Your doctor might examine your skin and review your medical history. If your doctor suspects a rise in your level of the endocrine cortisol, you could possibly be offered extra tests.A skin doctor or different care specialist will usually tell whether or not you've got stretch marks by gazing at your skin. They’ll typically conjointly review your medical history, since bound health conditions can contribute to stretch marks. These include:
lude:
Cushing’s syndrome
Marfan syndrome
Ehlers-Danlos syndrome
chronic liver disease
anorexia nervosa
Others, adore anetoderma and pseudoxanthoma elasticum, will cause lesions on your skin that seem similar to stretch marks. If they believe a health condition may be inflicting your stretch marks, they may suggest blood, urine, or imaging tests to assist realize the underlying cause.
Treatment Stretch marks
In general, treating stretch marks is difficult. Treatment improves seemance|the looks} of stretch marks, however they'll not depart utterly. Addressing your stretch marks after they 1st appear yields the most effective results. Older, deep stretch marks could also be more difficult to treat.Stretch marks don't need treatment. they're harmless and infrequently fade over time. Treatment will create them fade, but they may ne'er completely disappear. The subsequent treatments are among those offered to assist improve the appearance and texture of stretch marks. None has been established to be a lot more systematically victorious than the others.
Retinoid cream. Derived from aliment A, retinoids — like tretinoin (Retin-A, Renova, Avita) — that you simply apply to your skin might improve the looks of stretch marks lower than a number of months old. Tretinoin, once it works, helps to make a macromolecule within the skin referred to as collagen, creating the stretch marks that look a lot like your traditional skin. Tretinoin will irritate your skin. If you're pregnant or nursing, speak along with your doctor concerning different treatment options, as a result of doable aspect effects of retinoid cream may have an effect on the baby.
Light and laser therapies. A variety of sunshine and optical maser therapies are on the market that may stimulate growth of albuminoid or promote elasticity. Your doctor will assist you confirm that technique is acceptable for you.
Microneedling. This type of treatment involves a hand-held device with small needles that stimulate albuminoid growth. This method has less risk of pigmentation changes than optical device medical care thus is the most popular initial approach for individuals with skin of color. Work along with your doctor to decide on the foremost applicable treatment or combination of treatments for you. Factors to contemplate include:
How long you've had the stretch marks
Your skin type
Convenience, as some therapies require repeated doctor visits
Cost, as treatments to improve appearance (cosmetic therapies) often aren't covered by medical insurance
Your expectations
Lifestyle and home remedies
Many creams, ointments and alternative products claim to stop or treat stretch marks. products fabricated from cocoa howeverter, tocopherol and glycolic acid, for example, aren't harmful, but they in all probability won't facilitate abundance either. Stretch marks typically fade and abate noticeable over time and don't need any specific self-care or home therapy.
Alternative medicine
The idea that you just will stop or treat stretch marks by rubbing creams, oils or lotions on your skin isn't supported by sturdy evidence. If you're pregnant, discuss with your doctor before mistreating various products that claim to treat or prevent stretch marks.
Preparing for your appointment
If you seek treatment for stretch marks, prepare for your appointment by listing some basic questions to ask your doctor, including:
What is likely causing my stretch marks?
Other than the most likely cause, what are other possible causes for my symptoms?
What are my treatment options and the pros and cons for each?
What results can I expect?
Your doctor is likely to ask you several questions, such as:
When did you first notice the stretch marks?
Do you have other symptoms?
What medications are you taking?
Do you regularly use cortisone skin creams?
General summary
How do I permanently get rid of stretch marks?
Stretch marks are a common side-effect of pregnancy and weight gain They can also result from rapid muscle growth and other causes Stretch marks typically appear on the stomach, buttocks , thighs and breasts To reduce the appearance of stretch marks apply vitamin E oil to the affected area twice daily.
Can you 100% get rid of stretch marks?
Stretch marks are one of the most common skin conditions and they affect people of all ages genders races and social classes Stretch marks are not just a cosmetic concern; they can also be painful While there's no way to completely get rid of stretch marks you can treat them with a variety of products and methods to minimize their appearance.
Which cream is best for stretch marks?
The accepted wisdom is that stretch marks are caused by a sudden growth spurt during puberty or pregnancy Whatever the cause stretch marks typically appear as reddish-purple streaks on the skin The skin at the site of a stretch mark becomes thinner and less elastic like scar tissue after a wound has healed Stretch mark creams and gels contain retinoids vitamins C and E and other nutrients known to benefit skin health Other topical treatments include alpha hydroxy acids which remove dead cells from the surface of your skin to make it smoother; silicone gel sheets which may decrease the appearance of scars; emu oil which helps heal cuts and burns.
Which oil is best for stretch marks?
Stretch marks are often associated with pregnancy but they can also be caused by significant weight gain or loss and even rapid muscle growth Regardless of the cause stretch marks form when the middle layer of skin - called dermis - is torn The skin begins to break down collagen and elastin fibers in order to repair itself The damaged area of skin becomes distorted and appears as a purplish-red line on the surface of your skin These lines then slowly fade into white "striped" scars that can last for years There is no cure for stretch marks because they are scars but there are ways to treat them and make them less visible This article.
Can coconut oil remove stretch marks?
Coconut oil is a natural oil extracted from the meat of matured coconuts In addition to being an edible oil it can also be used topically on the skin Coconut oil is a popular treatment for stretch marks but there is no scientific data available regarding the effectiveness of treating stretch marks with just coconut oil.