Getting rid of Stretch Marks

What are stretch marks?

A stretch mark is a type of scar that develops when our skin stretches or shrinks quickly. Stretch marks, also known as stria, are long, narrow streaks, stripes, or lines that develop on the skin.
Stretch marks are extremely common in women during pregnancy and a normal part of puberty for most girls and guys. When a person grows or gains weight really quickly, that person may get fine lines on the body called stretch marks. Stretch marks happen when the skin is pulled by rapid growth or stretching. Stretch marks aren't painful or harmful, but some people feel distressed about the way they make their skin look.
Read more to know the reason of occurrence of stretch marks and how to effectively get rid of them!

Why do we get stretch marks?

The skin is the body's largest organ and has the remarkable ability to expand and contract as needed.
Collagen is a protein that makes your skin more elastic. The abrupt change causes the collagen and elastin, which support our skin, to rupture. If your skin doesn’t have enough, the marks may show up as it stretches.
This rapid expanding of the skin can lead to stretch marks. Up to 90 percent of women get stretch marks during pregnancy. However, stretch marks can affect people of nearly all ages and skin types.

What do they look like?

Stretch marks typically appear as bands of parallel lines on your skin. These lines are a different color and texture than your normal skin, and they range from purple to bright pink to light gray. When you touch stretch marks with your fingers, you might feel a slight ridge or indentation on your skin. Sometimes, stretch marks feel itchy or sore.
Stretch marks are not physically dangerous but can cause problems with self-image and anxiety. For some people, stretch marks are a significant cosmetic concern that can affect day-to-day living.

Where do they appear?

The most common areas affected include:
abdomen
breasts
hips
flank
buttocks
thighs

What causes stretch marks?

Stretch marks are a result of skin stretching and an increase of cortisone in your system. Cortisone is a hormone naturally produced by your adrenal glands. However, having too much of this hormone can make your skin lose its elasticity.
Stretch marks are common in certain circumstances:
Many women experience stretch marks during pregnancy as the skin stretches in numerous ways to make room for the developing baby. This continual tugging and stretching can cause stretch marks.
Stretch marks sometimes appear when you rapidly gain or lose weight. Teenagers may notice stretch marks after a sudden growth spurt.
Corticosteroid creams, lotions, and pills can cause stretch marks by decreasing the skin’s ability to stretch.
Cushing’s syndrome, Marfan’s syndrome, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, and other adrenal gland disorders can cause stretch marks by increasing the amount of cortisone in your body and losing skin’s elasticity.

How to get rid of stretch marks?

Getting rid of stretch marks in a completely natural way isn’t likely. It is a type of scarring that rarely fades enough to become invisible. However, there are some remedies that can help minimize the appearance of stretch marks fade quicker.

Exfoliate

A simple way to treat white stretch marks is through regular exfoliation. This removes the top layer of dead skin cells from your body and new skin from stretch marks.
Exfoliating alongside other treatment methods can enhance your result by allowing other skin treatments to penetrate deeper and work faster.

Topical treatments

Topical creams and ointments are more affordable methods for reducing the appearance of white stretch marks. Some creams are available over-the-counter, while others are prescribed by a doctor.
Applied regularly, topical creams like WOW Skin Science Stretch Marks and Scars Lightening Cream which is 100% natural, antioxidant-rich and is infused with Argan Oil, Evening Primrose Oil, Vitamin B3, B5,C & E, can lighten the tone of stretch marks and make them look invisible. Before using any topical treatment, discuss your risks with your doctor. Some creams can trigger an allergic reaction or may not be strong enough to treat your condition.

Microdermabrasion

Microdermabrasion is a procedure to reduce the appearance of white stretch marks. This procedure targets the upper layer of skin (epidermis), and works by stimulating the skin to tighten collagen and elastin fibers.
In the procedure, tiny exfoliating crystals are sprayed onto the affected area or a special tipped wand is rubbed over the area. Using a wand-like device, the crystals are gently removed, taking with them dead skin from the epidermis layer. For effective results, microdermabrasion needs to be repeated over a period of time.

Micro needling

Micro needling targets the dermis, the middle layer of your skin where stretch marks form. Within this procedure, tiny needles are poked into your skin to trigger collagen production. Increased collagen and elastin promotes skin regeneration that can improve your skin’s appearance and reduce stretch marks.
To effectively treat stretch marks, you’ll need to participate in more than one treatment over a course of months. Micro needling has been shown to be an effective treatment for reducing stretch marks, especially for patients with darker skin.

Laser therapy

Laser therapy is a common treatment option to remove white stretch marks. In the procedure, lasers penetrate the skin, triggering regeneration. This stimulates the tissues around your stretch marks to heal at a faster rate.
Laser therapy stimulates melanin production on the affected area, activating pigment cells in your skin. This causes your stretch marks to blend in with your normal skin tone. Though effective, laser therapy requires more than one session to see noticeable results.

Cosmetic surgery

If other treatments are unsuccessful, cosmetic surgery is an option. This expensive, yet effective, option can permanently remove white stretch marks from your body. However, it’s important to understand that surgery can leave scars of its own.

Conclusion

Stretch marks are a common and often temporary problem. They pose no long-term health risks, and treatment is normally intended to improve the self-image of the person with stretch marks. WOW Skin Science Stretch Marks and Scars Lightening Cream is one of the easiest and the best solution for lightening Stretch marks scars.