Stretch marks (or striae as they are referred to in dermatological terms) are caused when an individual's skin is stretched too quickly: More accurately, the skin is torn rather than stretched. They are most common around the stomach area, breasts, thighs and hips. Both men and woman can suffer from them and they affect the majority of the adult population. Fortunately, for all of us, they pose no health risks and are simply a cosmetic concern. Of course, these concerns grow in the warmer seasons as the amount of our bodies we show, increases.
This stretching occurs when the body grows at a rate that the skin cannot keep up with. They are most commonly associated with pregnancy but are also a normal part of puberty: Body building or quick weight gain can also result in stretch marks.
Although the skin is usually fairly elastic, when it is overstretched, the normal production of collagen is disrupted. It is this collagen which keeps skin tight and supple. There are several external factors which affect the skins natural ability to produce and maintain collagen levels such as a persons diet and smoking.
These collagen levels also affect the appearance of wrinkles and lines in the face. They also largely dictate how other blemishes, such as acne scars, heal.
When they first form, stretch marks appear as reddish purple lines. They appear indented and maintain a different texture to the surrounding skin. Over time, the discoloration does subside, turning lighter and less noticeable. The ability to heal however does vary considerably from individual to individual.
There are several methods of tackling problem stretch marks. These vary widely in both cost and effectiveness. They range from simple solutions such as creams and lotions, up to more extreme and expensive methods such as laser surgery.
What all these solutions have in common are that they assist, in one manner or another, the body's own natural ability to heal itself. The skin is the largest organ in our body and anyone who has ever cut or scraped themselves, would have seen how it heals itself. Our natural defensive mechanisms are indeed one of the most wonderful things in nature.
Where our bodies do fall short, is that these natural defences do not account for our ongoing desire for aesthetics and looking good. It is here that nature needs a little helping hand. Fundamentally, to overcome this problem, we need to promote what happens in our bodies naturally, but stops once the body deems itself healed. By effectively extending the healing process, we can ?trick? the body into healing itself too much - This way it may look and feels as though no physical trauma ever occurred.
Fact #1: Stretch mark solution advice will depend on who you're asking.
Many people can offer you lots of suggestions for a good stretch mark solution. Your dermatologist may suggest a dermabrasion session while your surgeon may say that surgery is the best solution. The truth is, both solutions have their pros and cons.
Dermabrasion is honestly less effective than surgery but it is also less invasive. In a sense, it is simply a more drastic form of skin exfoliation. Rapidly spinning fine wires move over your skin and peel off dead skin cells so new ones can develop. This is hardly a good stretch mark solution because stretch marks are really inner skin or dermis scars. Dermabrasion also opens you up to the risk of further skin damage and can even make stretch marks worse.
Surgery is actually a more effective stretch mark solution but it is also riskier, more invasive, more expensive and may not work for all parts of the body. At present, abdominal stretch marks are the only ones that can be solved by a tummy tuck. This stretch mark solution however can give you weeks of pain and discomfort and may even lead to infections and a larger, more visible external skin scar.
Fact #2: The least invasive stretch mark solution is to leave the marks as they are.
Others suggest that you simply refrain from doing anything or applying anything on the scars since time may eventually result in naturally faded scars. This wait and see stretch mark solution however would mean that you have to spend the best years of your life not wearing a bikini, tank tops and mini shorts. Time is also not a guarantee that stretch marks will disappear because you can increase in weight through time, which can make stretch marks worse.
You can also simply wear one piece suits to the beach. That would however, most likely remove part of the fun of being at the beach. In the beach, you'd want to naturally show off a bit or just be yourself without feeling conscious about other people staring at you.
Fact #3: Practical and natural solutions do not always eliminate stretch marks permanently but they are the safest and most active way to get rid of stretch marks.
Instead of blowing your money over risky medical procedures that are not even guaranteed stretch mark solutions, you can try the natural way. One natural stretch mark solution is to watch your weight. This may sometimes be difficult though since you may not always be able to perfectly limit body expansion especially if you are pregnant. You can always try your best though to maintain a regular diet and keep your self hydrated.
One other natural stretch mark solution is to exercise. Aerobic exercises improve blood circulation and help in the proper distribution of oxygen and nutrients to the different cells in the body. This may help maintain your skin's elasticity and general health. Other forms of exercise however, such as muscle building exercises, may result in more stretch marks due to muscle expansion.
For optimum results, take a natural supplement to supply your body with more nutrients that can promote skin health.
Both Christopher Evans - Drug-aware.com & Maia Pells are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Christopher Evans - Drug-aware.com has sinced written about articles on various topics from Acne Treatment, Aging and Medicine. Learn more about at derma-rollers.com. We offer an amazing product that can help to. Christopher Evans - Drug-aware.com's top article generates over 12100 views. to your Favourites.
Maia Pells has sinced written about articles on various topics from Stretch Marks, Pregnancy Problems and Stretch Marks. Is there still chance of removing your stretch mark? Find out what is right for you from Ma. Maia Pells's top article generates over 90500 views. to your Favourites.