Stretch marks are those prominent scars left behind when skin is overstretched and fibers in the middle layer called dermis, have broken. Fresh stretch marks appear initially as red lines and then they slowly fade to a pale white color over the course of several months. People who have them are considered unhealthy. With that in mind, why on earth would you want to keep them around? Stretch marks are deep scars, or scar tissue, that appears as stripes on the skin.
Stretch mark is a blemish appears when the skin of particular area gets overstretched for long time and could not regain its position. This happens normally in pregnancy but also seen after sudden weight gain or muscle building it can be cured both naturally and by making use of chemicals the best treatments.
Causes of Stretch Marks
There are two main category of causes for Stretch marks: physical and hormonal. Stretch marks can be caused by extreme stretching of the skin, which keeps the skin from returning to its original condition. This extreme stretching is commonly the result of gaining large amounts of weight in a short period of time. Bodybuilders, pregnant women, and adolescents that have been through rapid growth spurts, often develop stretch marks. They are commonly found on the stomach, legs, buttocks, and breasts, but may appear nearly anywhere.
Tips for getting rid of stretch marks
- Many people have been successful by using Vic’s Vapor rub. It is used by applying it to a washcloth or paper towel and rubbing it forcefully into the scarred skin on a nightly basis for a few weeks.
- Increased circulation by taking hot baths and massaging the areas regularly reduces the stretch marks.
- Tanning can diminish and even eliminate minor stretch marks. Be sure to use sun screen.
Surgeries for getting rid of Stretch Marks
There are different expensive and difficult surgeries that will help to reduce the look of stretch marks. If they bother you that bad, then see a doctor about getting a microdermobrasion surgery to remove the marks. Below are some of the common surgery techniques:
- Microdermabrasion – Microdermabrasion is a cosmetic procedure popular in spas and salons where the top-most layer of skin is removed by chemical or mechanical means.
- Endermologie – Endermologie machines massage and work the skin in order to increase circulation and expel toxins.
- Radiofrequency dermal remodeling
- Laser Therapy – Laser treatments are available that can help reduce the appearance of stretch marks and heal you skin. See your dermatologist for the latest information on these methods.
Natural ways to cure and get rid of Stretch Marks
- Watching your weight and massaging your skin on a regular basis will help prevent and improve the appearance of stretch marks. It should be obvious to most of us that watching what one eats should be a priority in such a health conscious society as we live in.
- Salicylic acid is a rare but equally effective way to get rid of stretch marks. Like the two suggestions above, acids of any sort are useful in helping to exfoliate the skin because they break apart the proteins (lipids) that hold skin cells, particularly dead skin cells, together.
- Choosing a healthy, varied diet will contribute to better skin elasticity.
- Be sure to include oily fish such as salmon, nuts and seeds, and lots of fruit and vegetables. There’s no magic combination of foods that can ‘erase’ stretch marks once you have them — but a nutritious diet has all sorts of benefits.
- Remember that no lotion or cream can prevent or erase stretch marks because they form in layers of skin too deep for any moisturizer to reach. If your pregnant belly is tight and itchy, you can keep it more comfortable by applying a rich moisturiser frequently.
- Cheap over the counter lotions (even Vaseline) usually work as well as expensive ointments to ease tight, dry, itchy skin.
- You can try using a little bit of face powder or foundation to hide your stretch marks. Sunless tanning products also help to camouflage stretch marks.
Effective tips and cure for Stretch Marks
- Make use of a scrub or pumistone while taking bath and rub the area to remove dead skin or make a scrub pack by mixing oats or ground coffee to your face pack to exfoliate the skin followed by a moisturizer.
- Apply egg white regularly on the area of mark and keep for around 20 min then clean it with chilled water this will make the marks disappear from your skin
- Massage the part of body with coconut, olive or almond oil but it should contain vitamin E otherwise mix vitamin E capsule in oil and apply over the mark it’s a great cure for stretch marks.
- There is a compound called tritinoin which is very effective in shading down the marks and nowadays it is available in cream format but consult your doctor first before going for it.
- Even you can opt for laser therapy its quite booming now a day and as per the claims have sure shot treatment for removal of stretch marks.
- Consume foods rich in vitamins like A, B or C for example carrot citrus fruits green leafy vegetables etc to improve skin properties.
- For cooking oil make use of safflower oil as it is rich in essential fatty acids which helps in nourishing the skin to address stretch marks.
- Spread some cocoa butter on the marks evenly and let it stay on skin it is seen that cocoa butter helps in hydrating and rejuvenating the skin which reduces the lines formed on the skin.
- If no change happens even after trying the entire remedies visit to the dermatologist as he will prescribe accurate treatment for the mark according to your skin type and will help you to get rid of these marks.
- The best option is to prevent the marks from happening and this can be done by regular care of skin like exfoliating and moisturizing during pregnancy or daily for other cases.