The Deal With Unsightly Stretch Marks

We all know that women are very vain. They always try their best to look good. As much as possible, they do refrain from doing any physical activity that might give them bruises or scratches. Some would not even want to have children because they are afraid of ruining their figures and have stretch marks. Stretch marks seem to be the main concern of vain women who became pregnant because most pregnant women have these marks after giving birth.

Stretch marks are actually scars in the dermis or the middle layer of the skin that helps retain its shape. If there is support in the dermis, no marks will form. They would look reddish or purple lines at first but will eventually fade to a lighter color. The areas that are affected will feel soft and empty. Stretching plays a big role in its development but it is not the sole cause.

There are no specific places where stretch marks can form but they are most prone where larger amount of fats are stored. These places are the abdomen, particularly the place near the navel, upper arms, underarms, breasts, back, both inner and outer thighs, hips and buttocks. They are not dangerous to ones health and do not hinder the body from functioning properly.

There are 2 primary causes and these are physical and hormonal. Extreme stretching of the skin can cause stretch marks and keeps the skin from returning to its original condition. This is where pregnant people belong. Extreme stretching of the skin is caused by gaining a large amount of weight in a short period of time. Aside from pregnant women, people affected are body builders and adolescents that have gone through rapid growth spurts. As for hormonal causes, and example would be Cushings syndrome which uses steroid constantly.

These marks can be treated depending on the severity and the location of the scar. Usually, exfoliation may be helpful as it can minimize the appearance of stretch marks when dead skin cell layers have been removed to unveil soft and fresh skin. You may use specially prepared formulas or you can make your own preparation by using oatmeal or baking soda. After exfoliation, it is important to apply moisturizer to keep the skin soft and hydrated.

There are also a lot of different types of creams and lotions available in the market that promise to improve the texture of the skin and make the marks less visible. It is true that many will find relief in those creams and lotions, but some products are only meant to work on newer scars. If you apply these on severe stretch marks or those that are more than a year old, you might not get the result you want or it will not show any improvement at all. Always read the labels to be very sure.

Stretch marks are not dangerous at all but it can dampen ones confidence. Visit your dermatologist as soon as you discover you may have developed stretch marks.