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Stretch Marks, known in the medical community as erythrocyanosis are a form of scarring that can occur when a person’s skin is overstretched.

The Two Main Stretch Mark Causes Are:

1) Pregnancy

2) Obesity

Appearance:

Stretch marks have the initial appearance of purple or red looking lines. In time Stretch Marks can fade to a white or off white color.

Stretch Marks are a VERY common condition. Just think of all the people who are either pregnant or overweight!

Stretch Marks are not just confined to the female population either – few people realize that they are a common complaint of male body builders.

Three Possible Stretch Mark Solutions

Stretch Mark Treatments vary from out-and-out scams to some very smart and scientific remedies.

Three of the most common are:

1. DERMABRASION. This is a serious medical procedure that takes place under a general anesthetic. Dermabrasion is definitely not for the faint of heart.

In Dermabrasion the surface of the skin is literally removed by a process of sanding. The aim of dermabrasion is to remove (or at least lessen) the appearance of scars, damage from the sun or dark spots.

The procedure is obviously very painful (hence the general anesthetic) and the healing process can take several months. However, the results can be quite spectacular.

Dermabrasion works best when the scar or mark being treated is above the surface of the skin and is generally much less effective when used to treat sunken scars.

Be Warned: Having a general anesthetic is NOT something to be taken lightly; it carries inherent risks and can be life-threatening. Always seek a second medical opinion (speak to more than one doctor).

2. MICRODERMABRASION. Often referred to as ‘Microderm’ this is far less invasive procedure that has become very popular throughout the Day Spa and cosmetic industries.

In Microdermabrasion the surface layer of the skin is removed by using a special wand with a roughened surface that lightly sands the skin. The shed skin particles are removed via a suction device attached to the wand.

People like Microdermabrasion because it has a reputation of being a safe, painless procedure that does not require an anesthetic.

3. SKIN TREATMENT CREAMS. This is one of those areas where you are most likely to encounter ‘wild claims’ and the general ‘rule of thumb’ here is that if something sounds too good to be true – it probably is.

That said, there are literally tens of thousands of people who swear by such things as Vitamin A Cream, Cocoa Butter and a whole raft of different specially formulated cosmetic creams.

One thing you can do is ask the people trying to sell you any Stretch Mark Removal treatment to show you before and after photographs of their last 50 clients.

Also, ask for written testimonials.

Skin care experts also say that the correct diet, nutritional supplements, rest and common sense (avoiding excessive sun exposure) can have a big impact on the skin’s ability to heal and its general appearance.

Inevitably, no matter how beautiful your skin may be today, you will develop stretch marks. Although painless, stretch marks are both unsightly and a potential source of embarrassment. For the most part, you are stuck with stretch marks unless you opt for expensive laser therapy or perhaps dermabrasion. But why exactly do stretch marks form in the first place?

Your skin is made up of 3 layers. The outer layer is known as the epidermis and its main purpose is to prevent foreign agents from invading your body. The second layer is the dermis and it is comprised of collagen and elastic fibers which combine to give your skin its smooth appearance. The last layer is called the hypodermis and it is mostly made up of fat and various tissues.

Stretch marks, also known as stria atrophica, form in the dermis layer of your skin. In fact, stretch marks are literally tears in the dermis. Now stretch marks should not be confused with scars, although they do appear quite similar when looking at them. Scars are made of fibrotic tissue which is simply not present in stretch marks.

As stated earlier, the dermis produces elastic fibers. These special fibers are what allows your skin to stretch—basically, they give the skin its elasticity. Stretch marks form when the skin grows faster than the elastic fibers can handle. Rapid growth weakens a skin’s elasticity and can actually break the connective fibers holding it together.

Now it is possible for stretch marks to form even when rapid growth is not present. This happens generally because of poor diet. Improper nutrition will deprive the body of the raw materials it needs to maintain healthy, elastic skin. Smoking is another factor that may cause stretch marks because it will also cause the skin’s elasticity to weaken. However, some growth will be necessary for stretch marks to form even when poor nutrition or smoking are factors.

Stretch marks are very common problems associated with pregnancy because this is a period of rapid growth for women. Any period of rapid weight gain will most likely be accompanied by stretch marks and they are common factors in obesity. However, it is possible for heredity to be a factor as some people have proven more prone to stretch marks than others.

The discoloring present with new stretch marks will eventually fade. Eventually, a stretch mark will appear almost identical to a scar. However, as stated earlier, stretch marks and scars are very different phenomena and caused by very different factors.

So, while stretch marks can be embarrassing and unsightly at first, the fact remains that they are painless. Many of us acquire these unsightly stretch marks as we lose our baby fat and enter into puberty and a period of rapid growth. Therefore, they are nothing to be overly self-conscious about because we all end up with them at some point. The best defense against stretch marks is eating a healthy, well-balanced diet which should keep the skin healthy and prevent periods of rapid weight gain.

It is caused mainly when a person gains weight and the skin grows rapidly causing stretch marks. Even though our skin happens to be very elastic overstretching may lead to stretch marks. It usually happens at the time of puberty when girls and boys body go through a speedy change, during pregnancy or when you happen to gain or lose weight.

With an elastic skin the production of collagen gets affected which leads to stretch marks in many areas of our body like bikini area, stomach, thighs, hands, breasts, hips, legs and even buttocks. Even though the stretch marks appear to be normal from outside the stretching happen inside.

The lower layer of the skin which provides it strength and elasticity tend to get thinner and uneven. As the skin is very transparent the blood vessels can be easily seen. Due to which the stretch marks happen to be seen. Men suffer from stretch marks too. These stretch marks usually disappear after period of time, but that too can stretch depending upon the marks you have.

Stretch mark starts developing to pregnant women on the abdomen during the second half of the pregnancy. The skin stretches to accommodate a growing baby which develops comparatively as there are stretch marks on the skin.

Sometimes the skin color plays a part too. According to the skin color the mark may begin as a pink, reddish, brown, or dark brown color. These reddish-brown marks fade gradually with passage of time which later on looks like shining silver lines.

Due to pregnancy your skin gets stretched a lot basically near the abdomen and breasts. These are caused partially due to hormonal changes. Women who have weaker collagen tend to get more stretch marks than the others and may take even more time to heal.

Research has showed that due to the frail pelvic floor ligaments women suffer from stretch marks. This can be corrected by doing pelvic floor exercises to avoid any incontinence of urine. Bodybuilders also get stretch marks due rapid growth of their body similar to pregnant women.

Remedial measures for stretch marks

- Applying collagen creams, even though its benefits are still unclear so check it up with your doctor before applying any lotions

-Cocoa butter creams are said to do wonders to your skin as it softens scars

-Applying olive oil and Vitamin E oil which would help in getting rid of the stretch marks

-Mixture of 1/2 cup virgin oil, 1/4 cup aloe Vera gel including liquid of 6 Vitamin E capsules and liquid from 4 Vitamin A capsules mix then together and store it in the fridge to be applied daily

-Have a healthy diet which has plenty of protein and is rich in Vitamin C and Vitamin E, which helps in tissue growth

-Mixture of any carrier oils like avocado, sweet almond, jojoba mixed with drops of lavender and few drops of chamomile can still do wonders on your skin

-Massaging your body with most of these oils would tone your body making it more supple and soft

-There is laser treatment which can be done when they are still sore and red

-Surgery is also another option given to remove those stretch marks

Stretch marks are lines on the skin, which usually happens when the skin is stretch a lot over a short period. This can be seen especially during pregnancy. The medical term for stretch mark is stria.

Stretch marks starts as red lines on the skin that are slightly lifted. The color of the stretch marks depend on the color of the skin of the person has it. They may sometimes look pink, reddish brown or dark brown.

They are usually similar in lines. The appearance of the skin is lean and grey and sometime appears like a scar. They are usually pale and happen to be less obvious.

Stretch marks can come out anywhere on skin that has been stiffed. They normally take place on parts of the skin where fat is stocked, like the tummy, breasts, thighs and buttocks.

It is a wrong notion that only woman can have stretch marks since they are the only ones capable of conceiving. Even men can have stretch marks themselves.

What causes stretch marks is that when the skin is suddenly stretched. The outer layer of the skin is not really affected by this, but the dermis becomes thinner and develops insignificant tears.

There is an appearance of stretch marks in the body because of the following conditions:

1. Pregnancy – Almost 90 percent of women who got pregnant develop stretch mark on the areas of tummy, legs or thighs, breast and shoulders. Normally, this stretch mark appears on the sixth or seventh month of pregnancy.

2. Development of adolescence – Boys often get stretch marks on their shoulder while girls get them on their hips, thighs and breast since they tend to grow quickly.

3. Athletes – Athletes who train or go to the gym to become bigger and stronger sometimes get stretch marks.

4. Weight loss/weight gain – Putting on a lot of weight over a short time can also cause stretch marks. And if you are on a diet and intended to lose weight, there is a possibility in the appearance of stretch marks.

On relieving stretch marks, nothing is known as an exact treatment for stretch marks. But the following initial treatments might help you to slightly fade stretch marks.

Moisturizers and creams – Creams containing alpha hydroxyl acid (AHAs) can help reduce stretch marks. Creams are not yet proven to prevent stretch marks but they may lessen the ugly appearance of stretch marks.

Laser surgery – this does not remove stretch marks, but it can help them not be noticeable.

Surgery – this is a very expensive and extreme option but it can remove stretch marks bellow the belly button.

Now, in order to avoid stretch marks it is important to maintain a healthy weight. Diets that can cause your weight to change quickly can cause stretch marks.

You also have to massage your skin everyday with a moisturizer in order to improve the blood circulation that encourages new tissue to appear. It is also important to eat healthy foods, which help to keep healthy skin.

Lastly, if you are a pregnant woman and do not want to have stretch mark, eat healthy and advisable foods. It is not really recommended for you to eat a lot of food. You just need to take extra calories in order to nourish you unborn child. But take note, these calories should come from a well balanced diet.

Stretch marks are fine lines of thin stretched tissue that may appear on the body, often during rapid weight gain or pregnancy. Naturally, our skin is very flexible. However, during rapid growth, the production of collagen is disrupted (collagen is a protein found in our skin that makes up most of the connective tissue giving it a smooth texture). This leads to reddish lines on your skin with a rough texture that will eventually turn grayish or white before fading. Stretch marks can affect both men and women, however, they are more prevalent in women, especially during pregnancy.

Apart from pregnancy, often times people who are obese, people how have excess amounts of body fat, or even body builders can both develop stretch marks as a result of the rapid bodily changes that occur. Heredity can also play a role in the development of stretch marks. Some people are naturally born with dry skin that is less elastic than that of other people. In these instances, it will require less body change in a short period of time to develop stretch marks. Also, many steroids which are taken through contact with the skin can cause stretch marks in one’s body.

Stretch marks will eventually fade over time, although they will never naturally be removed from your skin. There are a few medical operations and products that you can use to help remove the stretch marks from your body, ranging from surgery to a variety of creams available which claim to help remove stretch marks. These operations and creams are very expensive and most of them are not very good or dangerous, so it is best to help reduce your chances of developing stretch marks in the first place.

This can be done by insuring that you are drinking a sufficient amount of water daily. It is also important not too drink excessive amounts of caffeine found in coffee, soda, and other drinks, as caffeine will help weaken the dermis, the layer of skin which gives it elasticity. Research has also shown that a healthy balanced diet helps reduce the chances of stretch marks.

Make sure that your diet includes protein rich food such as eggs, chicken, turkey, fish, milk, yogurt, and other dairy products. Zinc rich foods such as fish, as well as foods rich in vitamins will also help. A proper intake of fruits, vegetables, dairy and grain foods can all help reduce your chances of developing stretch marks.

Stretch Marks are a truly unfortunate condition. It is best that you make all attempts at avoiding them if possible. Try to be sure to maintain a healthy balanced diet and have a sufficient intake of water. There are certain times in your life where the chances of stretch marks are high and it is not feasible to avoid these because of circumstances, such as pregnancy. In these cases talk to a dermatologist (skin doctor) to determine what treatment is best for you if they do develop on your skin.