There are certain things in life that we can’t control. The rate at which we grow, the amount of fat that our bodies store and how quickly that fat is shed are all things beyond our control. This is also true when it comes to stretch marks. These little red or purple streaks may appear on different parts of your body, including the thighs, stomach, arms, upper back and even your face. They’re commonly referred to as ‘stretch marks’ because they appear most frequently on areas of the body where the skin is especially stretchy like your belly, thighs, upper arms and breasts. These small broken blood vessels appear as red or purple stripes in response to rapid stretching of the skin. Read on to discover everything you need to know about stretch marks including their causes, prevention and treatment.
What Are Stretch Marks?
When the skin stretches too quickly, it can’t keep up with the quick growth of the underlying fat and muscle cells. This causes the collagen and elastin fibers in the skin to break, leading to small blood vessels appearing on the surface of the skin. This is what we call a stretch mark.
Stretch marks are very common in people who are growing very quickly, through puberty, pregnancy, extreme weight gain or loss and even those who are increasing muscle mass through exercise. These marks appear on the skin as a result of the rupture of blood vessels under the skin. They remain red or purple, although they can appear silver or white if they are old and haven’t been treated. While stretch marks are not dangerous, they are unsightly and can be very painful for those who get them. They also often cause a lot of anxiety to people who want to know how to get rid of them quickly.
Why Do We Get Stretch Marks?
As mentioned above, stretch marks happen when the skin is under a sudden increase in pressure. Since the skin is the first layer of defense, the body tries to protect itself from this pressure by growing new collagen and elastin. When the skin is overstretched, the body will attempt to replace the collagen and elastin fibers differently. This is why stretch marks usually appear as silver or white marks on your skin. This sudden growth of collagen and elastin, however, happens differently to the skin that is already there. This means that the proteins will form differently and look different, which means they will be less flexible and less elastic than the skin that was already there. The new, less flexible and less elastic collagen and elastin fibers will cause the skin to tear, which is what causes stretch marks.
How to Prevent Stretch Marks?
Eat a Balanced Diet: If you want to prevent stretch marks, you must be ready for a long-term commitment. A lot of people don’t know what it takes to get rid of stretch marks, so perhaps you are one of them. First of all, it is important to eat a balanced diet to get all the nutrients that your body needs to stay healthy.
Stay Hydrated: Drinking water is crucial for your health and well-being. It is also really important for preventing stretch marks when your body is quickly growing in size. When the skin is stretched out, it loses its ability to retain moisture. This is why you should always keep your skin hydrated by drinking plenty of water throughout the day.
Use a Moisturizing Cream: Keeping your skin hydrated is only one part of the equation. You also need to keep the skin stretched out well moisturized. You can do this by using a good moisturizing cream (preferably one that has anti-aging properties as well).
Exercise Regularly: Getting into a regular workout routine will help you stay healthy, increase your energy levels, and even improve your mood. Exercising can help you prevent stretch marks because it boosts your metabolism, which means that you can burn the fat that is under your skin more quickly.
Sleep Well: Getting enough sleep is crucial for overall health and wellness. When you are sleep deprived, your body produces more cortisol, which can cause your skin to lose its elasticity, making you more likely to get stretch marks.
Treating Stretch Marks
Treat Your Skin: If you are pregnant or have recently given birth, you should know that there is no quick way to get rid of stretch marks. They can appear very quickly, but they can only be fully removed if you’re willing to commit to a long, tedious process.
Use a High-Quality Cream: Treating your stretch marks starts with treating your skin. This means that you should use a high-quality cream that is enriched with vitamins and minerals. You can use creams that have vitamin E, aloe vera, vitamin C, etc.
Use Retinoids: Retinoids are great for treating stretch marks because they help your skin regenerate faster. Studies show that retinoids can reduce the amount of time that it takes for stretch marks to fade by up to 50%.
Stay Away From Scratching and Picking: When treating your stretch marks, you have to be careful not to pick at them or scratch them. This will only cause more damage to the skin, and it won’t make your stretch marks fade any quicker.
Go for Laser Treatments: Laser treatments can be very effective for treating stretch marks. They work by stimulating collagen production in the skin, which helps your skin regenerate faster and reduces the appearance of stretch marks.
Conclusion
When we talk about the causes, prevention and treatment of stretch marks, the most important thing to remember is that these marks aren’t harmful in any way. – They just look unpleasant and can be very painful when they appear. They usually appear on the thighs, stomach, arms, upper back and even your face. All of these are areas that are particularly susceptible to stretch marks because they are areas with a lot of fat and a lot of skin that extends beyond the rest of your body. – These areas are constantly being stretched, and as a result, they are very sensitive to developing stretch marks. – If you are worried about getting stretch marks, eat a balanced diet, stay hydrated and exercise regularly. If you are pregnant or have recently given birth, you should also use a high-quality cream and treat your skin.
