How to get rid of stretch marks? This is a question that mainly concerns women.
Indeed, stretch marks are:
- The fear of pregnant women.
- A disaster for young girls in bloom.
- A headache for dermatologists who often have trouble treating them.
And all these little people ask themselves the same question: how to make stretch marks disappear, these tiny red or white streaks, more or less wide, appear on the thighs or breasts?
For cosmetic manufacturers, this widespread skin problem is a godsend, as many people want to find smoother skin, and are ready (almost) to remove stretch marks. In other words, the anti-stretch mark cream market is not experiencing a crisis!
But let’s face it: even if cosmetology laboratories make great promises that would be able to make stretch marks disappear, their products do not work great miracles. And very often, to achieve its ends, it is necessary to resort to quite sophisticated solutions (dermabrasion, peeling.) requiring the know-how of a dermatologist or an aesthetic doctor.
So what is the solution? How to get rid of stretch marks? Are there effective anti-stretch mark solutions? Is it possible to find an inexpensive remedy for these skin lesions? And how can we prevent the appearance of stretch marks upstream?
In this article, you will discover lots of information on the origin of stretch marks and the different anti-stretch mark solutions, from the less effective to the most effective. Besides the advice of a dermatologist and the testimony of a young girl who already has stretch marks on her breasts.
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Table of Contents
Causes Of Stretch Marks
The stretch marks are the consequence of fractures of the elastic fibres of the skin.
The deep layers of the skin are made up of collagen fibres and elastic fibres. It is these fibres that provide the epidermis with flexibility and resistance. Stretching the skin too quickly or too brutally causes these fibres to break. Lesions then appear on the surface: these are stretch marks.
These tears appear as small linear streaks, like welts. Initially purplish when they form, they turn pearly white over time. They are most often found on convex areas of the body: the hips, buttocks, breasts, thighs.
Periods of risk
The stretch marks are partly mechanical causes and are mainly due to a substantial weight gain. This is the case during pregnancy, for example. The skin is stretched too violently and too quickly: collagen fibres and elastic fibres in the skin tear’s deep layers and cracks are formed.
The riskiest periods are the periods of intense hormonal upheaval. The adolescence and pregnancy periods are, therefore, conducive to their appearance.
But this stretching of the skin can also be associated with too much cortisol in the blood. This hormone is secreted by the adrenal glands and influences the elasticity of the skin. A high cortisol level can therefore promote the appearance of stretch marks. This disturbance can be caused by a disease, such as Cushing’s syndrome, or be the consequence of cortisone-based treatments.
Our advice:
- If the stretch marks appear suddenly, it is recommended to see a doctor check the blood’s cortisol level.
- Note: stretch marks can occur during cortisone-based treatments and after the application of cortisone creams.
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How To Prevent Stretch Marks
Suppose puberty is a favourable period for the formation of stretch marks (because of hormone surges). It is unfortunately tough to know in advance who will be affected and, therefore, prevent them from stretch marks.
These skin lesions are not always linked to weight gain: they can appear even in young girls who do not gain weight.
What to do?
- The best way to prevent stretch marks is to hydrate the skin well to keep it supple and elastic. A reflex to adapt quickly, to also make it a moment of pleasure.
During Pregnancy: Hydrate, Hydrate and Hydrate again
The pregnant women know: the pregnancy is a period of risk for the appearance of stretch marks. Weight gain, crazy hormones. The prevention of stretch marks is difficult, but limiting the damage is possible, thanks to a few simple actions.
What to do to prevent Stretch Marks?
Monitor your weight carefully and regularly. If you put on weight a little too much, a little too quickly, the skin may stretch out violently, causing stretch marks to appear. Do not hesitate to talk to your doctor or gynaecologist to consider him a diet more balanced food.
Moisturizing your skin is essential. Use and abuse creams and other moisturizing and nourishing milk, focusing on risk areas: the hips and buttocks, thighs, breasts and especially the stomach. Prefer rich textures, based on shea or cocoa butter, for example.
You can also do short “palpate and roll” sessions yourself for a few minutes each day. This technique, which consists of gently kneading the skin, will stimulate elastic fibres’ production and make it more supple.
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Advice From A Dermatologists
Can a dermatologist, a skin specialist, prevent the appearance of stretch marks?
Unfortunately no! It is tough to know which young girl or pregnant woman will or will not have stretch marks. We know that the hereditary factor exists: there are families with stretch marks.
But we can also see a mother without stretch marks and a daughter who will have them. Within the identical siblings, one will be affected, and the other will not. There are no rules, which is why prevention is difficult.
What advice can be given to limit their appearance?
The first thing to do is to avoid excessively rapid weight changes. Stretch marks are tears in the skin, often linked to heavyweight gain.
But not only: hormonal factors are also dominant. This is why the riskiest periods are pregnancy and adolescence. These are the times when hormone levels rise. The only good prevention is hydration.
In terms of treatments, which are the most effective?
There is no miracle cure. Stretch marks, when we have them, we cannot make them disappear. At best, we can mitigate them a little, but unfortunately, it is often definitive. The most effective treatment is vitamin A Acid. But it has some unpleasant effects, including intense irritation to the skin. Stretch marks are still a bit of a fate for the time being!
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