Remove Stretch Marks with Care
Tuesday, September 23rd, 2008 Subscribe To Our Feed
Stretch marks are most common during puberty and pregnancy - times when the body undergoes rapid weight changes. But you may be wondering what exactly the cause of stretch marks are and how to remove stretch marks once they appear. In general, stretch marks are formed in those body areas that store large amounts of fat, and they occur in the dermis, the skin layer which determines its shape.
What are Stretch Marks?
Stretch marks are caused by actual tears in a thinned or technically atrophic skin, with fine dermal collagen bundles arranged in straight lines parallel to the surface. These marks are created by your own body to heal those tears. The fact is that stretch marks are really scar tissue created by the body to heal damage caused by expanding skin that is too thin.
Known by doctors as “striae” (usually “striae distensae” or, in the case of pregnancy , “striae gravidarum”) stretch marks typically appear after rapid weight gain or loss. They are most common during pregnancy and the teen years, when growth spurts and increased levels of steroid hormones cause significant changes throughout the body. Striae are most commonly located on the breasts, hips, thighs, buttocks, abdomen, and flank.
An interesting fact is that stretch marks are the most common types of skin lesions. Almost 90% of pregnant women get stretch marks. The good news is that stretch marks are totally normal and aren’t a medical concern.
Prevent Stretch Marks - Your First Line of Defense
However, a secret to prevent stretch marks from developing is to keep the skin moisturized during times of weight gain or loss. This will help reduce stretch marks and for those that do appear, fade faster. A process of exfoliation and massaging nutrient-rich natural oils such as wheatgerm, jojoba or vitamin E will help rid stretch marks from your susceptible areas.
The Art of Stretch Mark Removal
The act of massaging the stretch mark area is key and increases blood circulation to the affected area, also assisting the healing process. Exfoliation of the area will also help remove dead skin cells and allow the stretch mark removal cream to penetrate deeper into the damaged skin. A word of caution is warranted though - be careful not to overdo with the exfoliation as it may cause your already damaged skin to become extremely sensitive. Moderation is the key to helping remove stretch marks permanently!
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