Little imperfections on skin may not affect your physical health but are a danger to your psychological health. Stretch marks top the list of these imperfections and are a serious problem for those desiring flawless skin. When weight gain or weight loss overstretches the skin, it tears the collagen and elastin fibers creating tear marks on your skin. These tear marks are commonly called as stretch marks and scientifically known as "striae".
The Truth About Stretch Marks
The cause of stretch marks is simply the stretching of skin due to rapid weight gain. They are not only the result of overstretching, but occur due to unexpected change in the levels of hormones. During pregnancy, puberty and weight gain the elevated levels of glucocorticoids are produced by adrenal glands. These hormones stimulate the conversion of proteins into carbohydrates and affect fibroblasts in the dermis layer of the skin and slow down the production of elasitin and collagen protein making tissues in the dermis.
Since the skin expands continuously without the skin fibers, it rips apart and leaves intractable streaks on your skin. Stretch marks are generally spotted on stomach, upper arms, thighs, breasts, and hips.
Treatments That Can Improve The Appearance of Stretch Marks
There are plenty of grandmother’s remedies that can probably make stretch marks less visible. Though you can never get rid of stretch marks completely, there are few treatments that can permanently improve their appearance.
Laser: Dermabrasion has proven quite effective in improving the appearance of stretch marks but only in the earlier stage when they are still red and purple in color. This can be effective to some extent but can cost you many dollars – and even your life because surgeries are always risky.
Natural remedies: There are certain natural antioxidants that can be useful in treating these silver lines. There are many natural oils which can be slathered on the affected area. Wheat germ oil, castor oil, jojoba oil, shea butter and cocoa butter are often effective. The majority if these have vitamin E in common. This is one of the vitamins that enhance the formation of skin cells. These methods are not generally trouble-causing but you won't get results overnight.
Lotions and creams: There are many stretch marks removing creams that brag about their effectiveness to remove marks. The most effective contain vitamin E, A and Retinol. Certain creams containing these ingredients have faded the marks, at least partially.
Fractional photothermolysis: This also a kind of laser treatments which uses wavelengths of lights to stimulate new growth of elastin and collagen. It tend to cause partial damage to small dot-like adjacent areas.
As always, natural remedies are the best, in our opinion. It's true that your stretch marks won't be gone tomorrow but they're inexpensive, easy to use, and most importantly … SAFE.
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