Stretch Marks

Watch Out For These Supposed Stretch Mark Cures

October 3rd, 2008 Subscribe To Our Feed

The unsightly stretch mark is a reality that knows no boundaries, including race, age, sex or country of origin. The fight against stretch marks is truly global! The sad part is that the battle against stretch marks will rage on until a miracle stretch mark cure is discovered that will eradicate these unsightly marks.

But fear not, literature and advise related to skin conditions is brimming with tips on how to prevent stretch marks and how to eliminate stretch marks if they do develop. While much has been written about the subject, even more is being sold in the name of avoiding and treating stretch marks.

Some Stretch Mark Treatments are Quite Effective

The truth is that many stretch mark treatments are quite effective at reducing the appearance of stretch marks. This is not so much because of a miracle ingredient, but rather due to the fact that a stretch mark sufferer is applying a daily moisturizer or cream to the skin and hopefully exfoliating the damaged area a few times a week.

Beware These Stretch Mark Cures

The problem is that several other supposed stretch mark cures were never meant to be used for this skin condition and are often packaged and sold as the latest, greatest cures. One example is that of pearl powder — a substance that is often tied to claims of healing that are simply not supported by any modern scientific research. The origin is China and often it is hawked as a traditional and mysterious ingredient in many secret skin potions that supposedly increases the porcelain beauty of many an empress. However, in its purest form, you will find that pearl powder is little more than a ground up powder made from fresh water pearls.

The supposed logic behind the claims is that pearl powder contains a number of amino acids, which in turn will promote healthy skin growth on the dermis level. Those unscrupulous marketers who prey on the uninformed sell this “mircle” cure in lotions, potions, and supplements. While it is true that cell renewal has been associated with amino acids, it is doubtful that the powder when ingested will actually provide the amino acids to your skin in the quantities needed. A topical application is shown to have a limited effect on increasing the supple appearance of the skin, but in now way will this powder make stretch marks disappear. Avoid this stretch mark scam!

Here is another product that is sometimes marketed as having a dual purpose. No doubt you have heard of the popular acne product, Proactiv. The primary ingredient in it is benzoyl peroxide. Depending on the concentration and your ability to tolerate it, Proactiv will act like a low impact chemical peel that will reveal healthy looking skin underneath. Unfortunately, Proactiv will not make stretch marks disappear. But the source of its mystery powers over stretch marks is that it can lessen their visibility by increasing the healthy appearance of the surrounding skin. A word of caution is warranted here — allergic reactions to benzoyl peroxide has been reported and have actually led to severe outbreaks, rashes, and in extreme cases, can lead to skin damage from excessive scratching and subsequent infections and scarring.

Witch hazel has been used for centuries and was commonplace in most people’s medicine cabinet. This substance is extracted from the witch hazel shrub and generally used to alleviate bruising and swelling, as well as, sores in related cases. It is a natural cleanser and has shown good results when used on acne. The unfortunate part is that none of these medicinal effects have any bearing on the outer layer of the skin. This is just another urban legend that supports this extract as one of the more effective stretch mark cures — not so!

Stick With Proven Stretch Mark Products

Your best bet is to stay with quality stretch mark cures that have proven themselves over time and can be supported with facts and strong testimonials from satisfied customers. Save your money and go with stretch mark products that can effectively fade stretch marks or have a track record of reducing the development of stretch marks during times of rapid growth, like pregnancy.

Remove Stretch Marks with Care

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!

Prevent Stretch Marks During Pregnancy

March 31st, 2007 Subscribe To Our Feed

If you are a woman, it is very likely that you have experienced a few stretch marks on your body. It may have happened during puberty or a pregnancy, but it just seems like a natural part of life. But do you want any more - I think not!

As the saying goes, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure!” This little pearl of wisdom also applies to the prevention of stretch marks. If you are thinking about having a baby, please heed these words. We have put together a brief list of tips for avoiding those pregnancy stretch marks this time around. If you practice these tips, your odds of avoiding further skin damage and scarring will be dramatically improved, and as an added bonus, the appearance your existing stretch marks may benefit too!

Try a Routine Skin Care Program

The first step in preventing stretch marks is to develop a routine skin care program. Make your program simple and easy. A simple plan will be much easier to keep up on a daily basis and will prove far more effective than a more elaborate routine that you will probably only do on a sporadic basis.

Watch Your Weight Gain

Remember - some weight gain is natural during pregnancy. However, the rate at which the additional pounds are added is very important. Your skin will flex and stretch without damaging the skin tissue. It is when your skin is stretched beyond its tolerances that tearing and scarring result, and develops stretch marks. So, as much as possible, monitor your weight gain during your pregnancy and try to spread out your weight gain to the extent possible.

Use Stretch Mark Creams and Lotions

This is a key element of any skin care program - hydrate your skin regularly. During pregnancy, more tension is placed on your skin in the abdomen, thighs and buttocks areas. As a result, your skin becomes much more sensitive. It is not unusual to experience sensations of itching and pressure as your skin expands. This is where the application of a high quality stretch mark cream or body lotion can not only relieve some of these symptoms, but also enhance the skins ability to expand and flex.

Dr. Moy, a noted California Board Certified dermatologist, says that “by preventing them(stretch marks) in the first place, you will avoid the more difficult task of removal. We have done a 10 person test where the Cream was applied (during pregnancy) to one side of the abdominal area and was not applied to the other side. The area that was untreated was the only area that developed stretch marks.” This test did show that a prevention program was key to avoiding pregnancy stretch marks.

This is where a product like Barmon Stretch Mark Cream can really be used as a stretch mark preventative as well as a stretch mark remover. You may want to read the reviews at the Barmon website to see just how many of their satisfied customers have used their stretch mark product DURING pregnancy with outstanding results!

Try Massaging Your Skin

Don’t overlook this simple practice. Massaging your skin in the high risk areas will stimulate circulation to the skin and promote healthier and more resilient skin tissue.

Nutrition and Vitamins

Eating right and taking quality vitamins has multiple benefits for the pregnant woman. Firstly and most importantly, it helps develop a strong and healthy baby. Secondly, it helps your body counter the stresses placed on it during and after your pregnancy. Eating nutritional and healthy meals, complimented by a vitamin prescribed by your doctor, will help keep your skin healthy and radiant.

Why not try these five helpful skin care tips to help prevent stretch marks during your pregnancy. Your odds of beating stretch marks is in your favor, just by pampering yourself and your skin a little during this exciting time!