Stretch marks or striae appear as red or purple marks on the skin and are actually a form of scarring. They are caused by the tearing of the dermis, and over time can diminish, but do not disappear completely without effective stretch mark treatment. These scars are due to the rapid stretching of the skin often caused by weight gain during puberty, pregnancy or muscle growth. Stretch marks may also be influenced by hormonal changes.

Symptoms of Stretch Marks

Stretch marks first appear as reddish or purple lines but gradually fade to a lighter shade. They damage the dermis, which is the middle layer of skin that helps it to retain its shape. Although they can appear on any part of the body, they are most common in areas with high levels of fat such as the abdomen, breasts, upper arms, thighs, hips and buttocks.

Causes of Stretch Marks

Stretch marks form due to glucocorticoid hormones that prevent fibroblasts from creating collagen and elastin fibers necessary to maintain the tautness of the skin. This creates a lack of supportive material and as the skin is stretched it eventually causes dermal and epidermal tearing. Skin subjected to more stretching force than it can handle will tear and the result will be a stretch mark. Hormonal changes, diet and exercise, and genetics are also influences on one's susceptibility to develop stretch marks as these things affect the skin's elasticity.

Prevention and Treatment of Stretch Marks

During pregnancy, between 75 and 90 percent of women develop stretch marks. During the third trimester, hormonal levels in combination with the stretching of the skin cause them to appear. In the case of pregnancy, of all the factors involved in stretch mark development, the only one over which an individual can retain control is that of diet and exercise. Eating well and having larger intakes of vitamins A, C, E and Zinc will help repair the skin but often this isn't enough to get rid of stretch marks.

Luckily natural skin care has unveiled a new active stretch mark cream ingredient that works biologically to treat and prevent stretch marks. Helix Aspersa Muller all natural serum is taken from a common mollusk that has been proven to incredibly improve skin and treat common skin problems such as stretch marks. This serum supports the immune system at the site where skin cells and tissues have been stressed or inflamed. All of its natural components including peptides, enzymes, glycoproteins, antioxidants and moisturizers aid in stretch mark care. Special molecules communicate to synchronize cell metabolism. Others have high oxygen capacity which nourish cells and jump start collagen and elastin development. Enzymes break up scar tissue and release amino acids necessary in the reconstruction of healthy skin and structural proteins. Helix Aspersa Muller serum is only found in certain products, so be wary of others that promise stretch mark removal. But if you end up with this naturally effective stretch marks treatment, you will find that your stretch marks will heal quickly and leave you with smooth beautiful skin.