Help! I've Got Stretch Marks


by Marlyn Whipple - Date: 2008-04-20 - Word Count: 424 Share This!

Stretch marks are thin, stretched tissue and this is also how they look on the skin. They usually occur in people who lose or gain weight rapidly. The upper layer of the skin is fine, however in the lower layer the collagen and elastin, which gives the skin its elasticity and strength, becomes thinner and weak. Stretch marks appear a reddish purplish colour at first. This is due to the stretched skin being more transparent and the small blood vessels that lie deep in the skin showing through. Later, when the blood vessels contract the purplish colour then fades to white, which is in fact fat under the skin showing through.
Stretch marks usually show on the breast and abdomen during pregnancy. Hormones form part of the reason. Hormones have the role to soften collagen ligaments so that tissues can stretch easily during childbirth. However unfortunately, the skin collagen softens too, allowing stretch marks to form easily. Some women furthermore have weaker collagen than others so are even more likely to get stretc marks. Dieters and bodybuilders may also be sufferers of stretch marks on their thigh, chest and upper arms. Growing adolescents could get them on their backs, where they look like a series of horizontal lines.
Curing Stretch Marks
Avoid yo-yo dieting. About 0.5 kgs (1 lb) weekley is a good amount to aim for. If your pregnant, there is not much you can do except keep your fingers crossed and keep in mind that, 'this is a small price to pay for a beautiful baby!' although applying baby oil into the abdomen each night may help.
Lasers can sometimes be used to help your stretch marks at an early stage, when they appear red. The red blood cells in the small blood vessels absorb energy from the laser beam converting it into heat, which then seals the blood vessels. This will lessen the red colour and speed up the contracting process however long term effects are unknown. Surgery is another possibility for tummy stretch marks if you also have a lot of loose skin on the tummy. It is known as a tummy tuck. Scars will remain after the operation around the belly button and lower stomach areas. Several weeks are necessary for recovery.
Unfortunately stretch marks are permanent as the skin will never be completely normal. Fortunately they go they eventually turn into much less obvious, thin, white scars. And to start treating the a stretch mark problem why not try one of the many regenerative lotions that are proving successful.

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