Stretch Marks

All About Stretch Marks

June 27th, 2009 Subscribe To Our Feed

Stretch marks are formed when your body grows faster than your skin or extends farther than your skin can stretch. Other names for stretch marks are striae rubra, striae distensae, striae atrophicans, and striae alba. Other factors that can increase your chances of getting stretch marks include growth spurts, pregnancy, rapid weight gain and bodybuilding. There are also reports that heavy use of topical corticosteroid creams can cause stretch marks. Those with Cushing’s Syndrome may develop stretch marks as a result of extra adrenal cortical processes.

The Appearance Of Stretch Marks

Stretch marks appear on the skin as long, narrow abnormalities. Stretch marks are red when they first show up, but over time, they gradually take on a light silvery color. In some people, the stretch marks can be roughly 10 millimeters wide, although they are typically thinner than that and no more than a few centimeters in length each. If they appear to be of the wide variety, or if they appear on the face, there is a good chance that your stretch marks are the result of Cushing’s Syndrome or topical corticosteroids. Teen stretch marks ordinarily fade away after a long time.

The Treatment Of Stretch Marks

Treatments for stretch marks such as creams and lotions, oils, chemical peels, dermabrasion, laser surgery, topical retinoid therapy and pulse dye laser therapy are choices available to you if you wish your reduce stretch marks and have them become less evident.

Contrary to popular notion about stretch marks, children and men, as well as women, can develop stretch marks. Any person who gains weight or increases in size quickly is likely to develop stretch marks.

If you want to prevent stretch marks, observe proper health care. Drinking lots of water and getting daily exercise are essential to your health. A healthy diet is another essential factor of being healthy and contributes a lot to making the skin healthy and elastic. Avoid drugs, including such common drugs as alcohol, caffeine, and tobacco.

Vitamin E, which is mostly thought to be good for any skin health issue, is also thought to be beneficial when put on to stretch marks. Apply Vitamin E onto the stretch marks daily for several months if you wish to fade stretch marks. Many of the better stretch mark products, like Revitol Stretch Mark Cream, are formulated with this skin-strengthening vitamin.

Are Treatments Covered By Insurance?

Unfortunately, medical treatments for stretch marks are commonly not covered by health insurance companies. Stretch marks are viewed as a cosmetic condition, so they are subject only to nonessential nonmandatory treatments. So OTC stretch marks cream products that are recommended by a pharmacist are probably the best affordable treatment option for you. In general, these treatments eliminate the dead skin cells, thereby regenerating the skin cells and encouraging new skin growth.