Stretch Marks
Skin is the body's super hero. It acts as a protective covering, provides an immunity barrier to microscopic invaders, and refreshes and renews itself on regular intervals. But all super heroes have a their limits, and skin is no different. While our skin is very elastic, traumas such as great weight gain or loss will leave a small remnant of the stress called striae, or stretch marks. Stretch marks appear white or a dull red with a silvery sheen. As easy as they are to acquire, stretch marks can be tough to remove and may appear unflattering.
One of the best ways to cure stretch marks is through prevention. Lack of vitamins A and E, and improper hydration are secondary contributors to stretch mark formation. Normal growth and development, especially during puberty and pregnancy, will result in stretch marks. Common areas for skin stretching are the thighs, buttocks, lower back, stomach, and breasts. Drinking lots of water and eating a nutritious diet or supplementing your diet with vitamins, will reduce the number and severity of stretch marks.
Once stretch marks appear, the good news is over time they will gradually fade. Since skin is constantly generating new layers to replace the old, just like scars, the trauma of super stretching will also diminish eventually. Cremes and lotions specially formulated to reduce the appearance of stretch marks are not instant fixes. It can take weeks and even months of use before stretch marks are reduced in size and significance.
The ingredients of stretch mark reducing lotions and cremes are pretty standardized. Most work in a two-fold attack at the unsightly rewards of growing larger or smaller. First, a gentle acid like glycolic acid, and possibly an element of abrasion work to improve exfoliation of the stretch marked area. Improved exfoliation sloughs off older skin cells, and promotes the growth of new cells, furthering the reduction of stretch mark appearance. Next, ingredients will be present to help accelerate the growth of new cells, such as collagen and Vitamin E. Collagen is a natural component of the body for elasticity, and Vitamin E is vital for skin repair and functionality.
Waiting for reduction in appearance is not always an ideal solution. Other than covering up with clothing, to minimize or hide stretch marks on bare skin, a cosmetic cover up is necessary. For decades, airbrushing or use of a light weight foundation has covered stretch marked skin in photographs and film. A touch of foundation, or even use of sunless tanner, will minimize the contrast of stretch marks on skin exposed due to bathing suits or evening wear.
For those with more serious stretch marks, either from surgery or other trauma, there is also a few surgical options. Laser removal, dermabrasion, and chemical peels are effective and expensive treatments for stretch mark removal. However, all surgical solutions carry possible risks and side effects, so these options should be discussed with a licensed medical professional to determine if you are a viable candidate.
Although stretch marks are unflattering, it's important to remember everyone has them. While steps at preventing stretch marks will reduce the number and severity, normal growth and life events make them unavoidable. Regular treatment with cremes and lotions can increase exfoliation and reduce the visibility of the shiny stretch marks. Cosmetic cover up with skin tinting lotion, foundation, or sunless tanning products are another great option. Finally, as a last resort, more invasive and substantial surgical procedures can diminish and eliminate stretch marks forever.
