Remove Stretch Marks the Sure-Fired Way
If you have suffered from stretch marks, it was most likely during puberty or a pregnancy where the skin underwent fast weight changes. However, you may be questioning what exactly causes stretch marks and how to reduce 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 and develop in the dermis skin layer.
What are Stretch Marks
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 truth is that stretch marks are actually scar tissue developed by the body to heal damage caused by thin skin stretched beyond its limits.
Known 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 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 females who are pregnant get 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. You need to know that stretch marks are absolutely normal and are not a medical concern. The issue is that they can become an appearance issue and affect a person’s self esteem.
Prevent Stretch Marks – Your First Line of Defense
A secret to preventing 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, become less noticeable over time. A practice 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 damaged skin is important and increases blood circulation to the affected area, also assisting the healing process. Exfoliation of the area will also help stretch marks removal by eliminating 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!