Stretch Marks (striae) - What To Do? How To Get Rid Of Stretch Marks?

2024 Author: Josephine Shorter | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-01-07 17:49

Stretch marks (striae): causes and treatment

Stretch marks are white or red lines on the skin that appear where the skin is stretched. Stretch marks can appear under the influence of hormones, since the skin is not as elastic as it used to be and cannot withstand all the stress.

Stretch marks can appear with a strong increase in weight, or vice versa, with a sharp weight loss. Also in adolescence and after pregnancy, with Itsenko-Cushing's syndrome (this is an endocrine disease). Stretch marks appear for genetic reasons and after prolonged use of glucocorticoids.

Some women take them for granted, while others struggle hard with stretch marks. Stretch marks treatment is a lengthy and not always effective process. Therefore, it is easier to focus efforts on their prevention.

Choosing a method of dealing with stretch marks, you need to stop at one that is not only the most effective, but also safe. You should not risk your health for the sake of beauty. Moreover, stretch marks most often appear in those places that are hidden from the eyes of the people around them.

Content:

• Reasons for the appearance of stretch marks
• How do stretch marks form on the skin?
• Stretch mark color
• Treating stretch marks at home
• Treatment of stretch marks in the salon
• Prevention

Reasons for the appearance of stretch marks

The reasons for the appearance of stretch marks on the skin are as follows:

• Hereditary predisposition. If stretch marks appeared during pregnancy in the grandmother and in the mother, then with a high degree of probability they are formed in the daughter. Such women need to direct maximum efforts to prevent stretch marks.
• Rapid weight gain. The skin stretches in those places that grow faster than others: on the stomach, on the chest, on the legs.
• Hormonal changes in the body. During pregnancy, progesterone levels rise. This hormone helps to reduce collagen production. Collagen is responsible for the elasticity of the skin, so when it becomes scarce, the condition of the dermis worsens. In general, any hormonal imbalance can lead to the formation of stretch marks. Certain endocrine diseases can provoke the appearance of stretch marks on the back and face.

• Pregnancy and breastfeeding. In addition to the fact that during pregnancy there is a hormonal surge in the body, a woman begins to gain body weight: her belly grows, her breasts increase in volume. Therefore, it is not surprising that it is in these places that stretch marks appear most often.
• Sharp stretching of the skin. The likelihood of stretch marks increases if a person's skin is not elastic and has lost its elasticity. So, stretch marks occur when a person begins to actively train, although he has never been involved in sports before. The skin is dramatically stretched during pregnancy.
• The age of the person. The most "dangerous" period of life in terms of stretch marks is adolescence and old age. In adolescents, the body grows very quickly and the skin sometimes does not have time to adapt to this. In old age, metabolic processes, on the contrary, slow down, the skin loses its elasticity and firmness.

• Improper skin care. If a person does not moisturize the dermis, does not nourish it, then in case of any diseases or when the body is exposed to negative factors, stretch marks may appear on the skin. Therefore, it is important to regularly "pamper" the skin with salon procedures, home peels, scrubs, body wraps, etc.

Risk factors

Separately, there are risk factors that increase the likelihood of stretch marks on the skin:

• Overweight.
• Jumps in body weight during pregnancy.
• Bearing a large fruit.
• Multiple pregnancy, polyhydramnios.
• Weak muscular wall of the peritoneum.
• Diabetes.
• Smoking.

Sometimes stretch marks appear in people, regardless of pregnancy.

How do stretch marks form on the skin?

When the skin is stretched, it becomes thinner. The epidermis breaks down, which is accompanied by the appearance of microtraumas. The damaged areas are overgrown with connective tissue. They look like red or burgundy stripes. The length and width of the striae differ. Stretch marks are red because there are blood vessels under the damaged skin. They gradually subside and stretch marks become light.

Differences between stretch marks and scars after surgery

Both scars and stretch marks are represented by connective tissue. However, the scars are left by the surgeon's scalpel, so they will be neat and even. While the stretch marks do not have the correct shape and are located in a chaotic manner.

Stretch marks are the result of superficial damage to the dermis. Scars, on the other hand, are deep, penetrating the skin throughout its entire thickness.

What Happens to Stretch Marks After Childbirth?

In some women, after 1.5-2 years after childbirth, stretch marks disappear completely. In their place, thin stripes remain that are difficult to see. They are pale and small.

In other women, stretch marks become very visible after they return to their original weight. This happens due to the fact that the skin does not have time to tighten, as the weight goes away quickly. Such women definitely need to take measures to prevent stretch marks: visit the massage therapist's office, take a Charcot shower, do wraps.

Stretch mark color

When stretch marks first started to appear, they are pink in color. This is because the skin in the affected area becomes inflamed. Sometimes stretch marks have a bluish tint, as blood vessels shine through them.

Stretch marks lighten over time. They become paler than the surrounding skin. The striae seem to sink into it.

The basis of stretch marks is connective tissue. It does not have cells that are capable of producing melanin. Therefore, when a woman tans, stretch marks become even more noticeable. Although some women have stretch marks that react to ultraviolet light. This largely depends on the skin phototype.

Treating stretch marks at home

A woman should tune in to the fact that it will not be possible to completely get rid of stretch marks. However, modern medicine and cosmetology offers a variety of ways to deal with stretch marks, which can make them less noticeable.

Pharmacy remedies for the treatment of stretch marks:

• Crema Corpo by Guam. This is a cream that contains 10% glycolic acid. The cream is effectively used to prevent stretch marks on the chest when they are just beginning to appear. It is forbidden to apply the cream before going out into the sun. In addition to glycolic acid, the cream contains hyaluronic acid. It stimulates collagen production, moisturizes the skin. At the same time, the processes of its regeneration are accelerated, which is possible due to the extract of algae and macadamia oil. Apply the product to the skin 2 times a day. The cream is produced in Italy. Its cost is 3150 rubles.
• Kelofibraz cream from Sandoz. This remedy will achieve a therapeutic effect if applied in the early stages of stretch marks formation. It contains urea, which softens and moisturizes the skin, sodium heparin, which improves metabolic processes in the dermis. In addition, sodium heparin contributes to scar smoothing and tissue regeneration. D-camphor is responsible for relieving inflammation and nourishing the skin. The cream should be applied to stretch marks 2-3 times a day. You can make a compress with it and leave it overnight. The drug is manufactured in Germany. Its cost is 1400 rubles.
• Cream Contractubex from Merz Pharma. This drug is effective for the treatment of young stretch marks, it allows the skin to return the lost elasticity, restores its functions. The preparation contains onion extract, which reduces tissue swelling. Heparin helps to soften the skin, moisturize stretch marks. Allantoin accelerates regenerative processes. The cream should be applied to the dermis 1-3 times a day. You can make night compresses with it. The drug is manufactured in Germany. Its cost is 400 rubles.
• New secrets of the Golden Mustache. This is a cream-potion from "Folk Crafts". The drug is used prophylactically. It will not help to cope with the existing stretch marks. Golden mustache juice is a source of flavonoids that enhance blood microcirculation. Also, the drug accelerates tissue regeneration and makes scars less noticeable. The cream contains keratin, onion extract, arnica, horse chestnut, ginseng. The cream also contains keratin and allantoin. You will need to apply it on stretch marks 1-2 times a day. It is recommended to steam the skin before processing. The drug is produced in Russia. Its cost is low and does not exceed 100 rubles.
• Clearvin cream. This remedy can be used for both prevention and treatment of stretch marks. It contains extracts of basil, madder, calamus and other herbs, as well as vitamin A and antioxidants. The tool helps to smooth stretch marks, making them less noticeable. The drug is applied 2 times a day, as well as at bedtime, leaving overnight. The cost of the cream is 70 rubles. It is produced in Russia.

Adding mummy to the cream enhances the effect

Many women point out that the mummy allows you to fight young stretch marks that appeared no more than six months ago. The tool is used to treat stretch marks in various parts of the body.

Mumiyo is added to body cream. To enrich the cream, 2 tablets are required, which are crushed into powder. If you use such a cream every day, the result will be noticeable after 2 weeks.

Stretch marks do not pose a threat to women's health, which cannot be said about some methods of their treatment. If a woman wants to become a mother again, then it makes no sense to fight striae, as they will appear again. Therefore, it is better to focus efforts on preventing stretch marks, rather than treating them.

Treatment of stretch marks in the salon

You can go to the salon if you could not cope with stretch marks with the help of drugs. It must be remembered that any procedures are contraindicated for pregnant and lactating women, people with acute infectious diseases, blood diseases, cancerous tumors, etc. Salon procedures are expensive, some of them are very painful, but a 100% effect cannot be guaranteed.

• Mesotherapy. This procedure involves the subcutaneous injection of substances that trigger the production of collagen and elastin. Collagen, hyaluronic acid, amino acids, trace elements and vitamins, enzymes and antioxidants are injected in an injection form. Connective tissue fibers become softer, the skin is renewed, the rate of metabolic processes increases.

  The drugs are administered manually or using a special apparatus. Their non-injection application to the skin is also possible. In this case, the dermis is treated with a mesoscooter. It takes 5-15 treatments to make stretch marks less noticeable. Then the courses are repeated to prevent the re-formation of striae. The maximum effect can be achieved if fresh stretch marks are treated.

• Fractional photothermolysis. This procedure involves laser treatment of the skin. Micro-areas of the dermis are warmed up, the process of collagen production starts. After a single treatment, the process of cell division is activated in the skin. Skin condition becomes better, stretch marks are reduced in size. The best effect can be achieved if fresh striae are treated.
• Peeling with chemicals. This method involves removing the old skin layer using chemical preparations. This treatment promotes the body's production of collagen. For treatment, aggressive acids are used: trichloroacetic, alpha-hydroxy-phenolic. Since the procedure is painful, it is performed under local anesthesia. The skin regenerates for a long time. The effect will be noticeable after a few months.
• Mechanical peeling. The superficial layer of the skin is removed using a jet of air that contains fine sand. This is a painful procedure, after which the skin heals for a long time. However, the effect of such treatment is not always noticeable.
• Microcurrent treatment. Stretching is influenced by pulsed currents. This helps to accelerate metabolic processes in the skin and stimulates the growth of new cells. Thanks to this effect, striae become less noticeable.
• Abdominoplasty. This is plastic surgery. During its implementation, the sagging abdomen is removed and sutures are applied. The operation is performed under general anesthesia, the consequences of which can be the most unpredictable.
• Microdermabrasion. This procedure is skin resurfacing. Its top layer is removed mechanically. This treatment is suitable for removing old stretch marks. This is a traumatic procedure, so doctors treat only small areas of the dermis. After it, a long rehabilitation is required.
• Fraxel Re Store laser resurfacing. This procedure is a micro-resurfacing of the dermis. Stretch marks after such treatment either completely disappear or become barely noticeable. This procedure is considered one of the most effective.
• Elos -rejuvenation. This procedure is suitable for treating old stretch marks. It allows you to reduce stretch marks, since the deep layers of the dermis are exposed to heating. As a result, a person begins to produce collagen, and recovery processes are launched. The skin is rejuvenated and tightened.

Prevention

Stretch marks are difficult to treat, so efforts should be made to prevent them.

Preventive measures can be as follows:

• Drink as much liquid as possible. An adult should drink at least 2 liters of water per day.
• The diet should contain fruits and vegetables that saturate the body with vitamins and minerals.
• It is not recommended to salt dishes too much. An excess of salt leads to edema, which contributes to an increase in body weight.
• Taking vitamins A, E, alpha, omega acids, fish oil.
• It is imperative to massage problem areas of the body in those places where it is subject to the greatest stretch. In this case, you need to act carefully so as not to damage the dermis.
• Taking a contrast shower. This procedure helps to keep the skin toned.
• After a bath and after a shower, you need to moisturize the dermis using various creams and ointments.
• For body care, it is necessary to use products that contain vitamins A and E, natural oils, hyaluronic acid. All these components help to increase the elasticity of the skin.

Article author: Mochalov Pavel Alexandrovich | d. m. n. therapist

Education: Moscow Medical Institute. IM Sechenov, specialty - "General Medicine" in 1991, in 1993 "Occupational Diseases", in 1996 "Therapy".