Stretch Marks - Concepts, Causes, and Treatment Options

Introduction and Concept

Stretch marks or striae are marks that appear on the skin and are caused by the rupture of connective tissue. The skin in the area affected is thinner, lacks elasticity and is deprived of vascularization. They may have a S, zig-zag, straight or curved form. Their colour varies depending on how long they have been established; red streaks are the most recent while white - mother of pearl coloured ones have been in place for several years.

The areas of the body where they commonly appear are the abdomen, breasts, thighs, arms, buttocks, and hips.

Causes

The most common causes of stretch marks are:

- Pregnancy

-Puberty

-Obesity

-Fast muscle development (bodybuilding)

-General health of the skin

-Excessive use of topical corticosteroids

These lesions usually manifest during a hormonal period: such as puberty and pregnancy. Under the hormonal effect, fibroblasts, the cells that are responsible for the architecture of our skin (made of collagen fibers and elastin), suffer from an imbalance that leads to the thinning (atrophy) and a breakdown of the collagen fibers and elastin. As a result, the skin becomes thinner and small parallel lines appear (striae). They initially can be pale pink, pink or purple and turn white with time.

During puberty stretch marks occur on the legs and hips, and during pregnancy on the abdomen, buttocks and breasts.

During pregnancy, stretch marks may show up from the third month, however during the third trimester (6-9 months), is when the skin is most vulnerable. They may also appear after pregnancy. It is therefore essential to make preventative treatment from the third month of pregnancy until the next pregnancy.

A first pregnancy without striae does not mean that there is no risk in the following.

Also, sudden changes in weight and violent physical exercises have a predisposition to aid in the development of striae. In these cases, the skin has stretched so excessively that fibers are ruptured causing the lesions.

Distension of the skin is an aggravating factor, but not the only cause of the manifestation of stretch marks. Some diseases such as Cushing's syndrome can cause these lesions to appear without any skin tension.

Aggravators

- The age of the future mother: being young and pregnant for the first time is one factor that increases the risk of striae.

- An excessive weight (overweight).

- Some hormonal imbalances.

Treatment

Stretch marks don't heal by themselves and need treatment. Left untreated they will evolve into scars.

The results of the treatment depend on two factors:

- The age of the lesion.

- The tone of the lesion:

. If the mark is pink this is a sign that there still is vascularization.

. White colored marks are less likely to disappear.

There are three phases of treatment:

Preventative phase

With a prospective pregnancy or increased size it is advisable to undergo preventive treatment, with the purpose of maintaining or even increasing the skins elasticity.

Vascular phase

In this phase it is advisable to apply products to encourage production of glycosaminoglycans, collagen and elastin, activating tissue regeneration and providing active ingredients which repair and replace altered structures by improving tissue oxygenation and hydration.

Scaring phase

When it comes to striae that have already formed scar tissue, vascularizing action based on oxygenating and hydrating essential oils and bioactive substances that stimulate the regeneration process are necessary. The possibility of rebuilding the fibrous connective tissue using only cosmetic treatment is difficult, and should be assisted by medical treatments and apparatus to simultaneously in order to improve treatment results.

SeSDerma recommends the following products for the treatment of stretch marks

Abradermol microdermabrasion cream, to exfoliate the skin

Mender Rose Hip oil, for skin regeneration

ESTRYSES Anti stretch mark cream, for the treatment of stretch marks and hydration.

Complete information about these products can be found here: Stretch mark treatments

For information on skin problems, skin treatments, sesderma, and sesderma products please visit Sesderma Labratories

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What Causes People to Get Stretch Marks?

So several individuals have asked the question of "How do you get stretch marks?" No shock there because the prevention of stretch marks is certainly best than their treatment for time, work and money spent.

Physiology of a Stretch Mark

Generally, these marks are the outcome of skin being stretched until its overextended so much that returning its elasticity is nearly impossible. Imagine a regular elastic garter being tugged one too many times until it loses its elasticity. The matter in skin elasticity is collagen and elastin, and the body naturally makes both in large amounts when you are young. When these two things are gone in big quantities, your skin will start to lose its tone, texture and firmness.

When this occurs, these marks will appear on the skin's top layer-the epidermis. Nevertheless, these marks certainly appear in the middle layer of the skin called the dermis.

How do you get stretch marks?

It can be positively determined that the best answer to the question is anything that can stretch the skin will cause them. Certainly, there is also the truth that as you age you are more susceptible to stretch marks because your skin loses its elasticity. There are some instances where these marks even appear in younger people. The most general of these circumstances are:

1. Pregnancy means an increase in weight for the pregnant woman. Therefore, the skin is stretched particularly over the abdomen however; other regions such as the thighs, hips and arms can have the same outcome. When nearly regular weight is achieved, the marks will form.

2. Weight loss can cause these marks as well, whether you are pregnant or not. For instance, fat people who try weight loss regimens must watch for marks on the regions where they lost the majority of the weight. This can also be true for bodybuilders who lose muscle mass after competitive events.

3. The use of steroids such as cortisone can also cause these marks. The reason is because the hormones are interrupted in the system, and that can influence collagen and elastin production.

4. Pre-adolescent kids and teens might as well get these marks, not because of the stretching of the skin. Indeed this part of the population might not experience as much as pregnant women and people losing weight however, it is nevertheless a fact of life for many teens.

Moreover, the question of "How do you get stretch marks?" is as imperative as the question on how to avoid and treat them. In this instance, you can put on moisturizing creams on your skin, drink a lot of water, and eat fruits and veggies to avoid these ugly marks. However if you have them, you can think about getting anti-stretch marks cream as well as laser therapy to make them vanish.

Before you know it, your stretch marks will be an issue of the past. Then you can prance around in your sleeveless dresses, shorts and bikinis.

For more information on What Are Stretch Marks, visit www.Best-Stretch-Marks-Treatments.com as well prevention tips and the best stretch marks creams and lotions reviewed.

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