Stretching It: What Can Be Done to Remove Stretch Marks?
Posted: Tuesday, March 08, 2005
by lorien1973
Online Discount Mart Home & Garden Decor
Consider a balloon which has been blown up, and then is deflated. The balloon will never look the same, as it has lost a great deal of its elasticity. So it is with stretch marks. What can be done about these oft-unwanted marks?
What Are Stretch Marks?
Stretch marks commonly appear on the thighs, abdomen, and buttocks, and are marked by purplish-blue lines that fade into pale silvery-white lines. They are virtually impossible to completely and permanently remove. This is because they are the marks of damaged fibers under the skin. A stretch mark is actually scar tissue that is visible on the outer layer of skin. Fibers are damaged in various ways, but the two most common examples are when rapid weight gain stretches the skin (i.e.: growth spurts or pregnancy), or through the muscle fibers thickening (i.e.: bodybuilding). Once the fibers are stretched, the damage is virtually irreversible. The actual stretch mark is the consequence of the middle layer of skin (called the dermis layer) stretching to the point of breaking the fibers. The initial damage appears in the form of red lines, fading into a pale-white-colored scar once it's healed over. Stretch marks can become more evident over time, as they can change color, and also become more prominent when a significant amount of weight is lost. Though stretch marks can rarely be removed completely, there are many things you can do to reduce the appearance of them, as well as preventative measures that can be taken.
While keeping skin supple can prevent stretch marks, these products cannot remove them. There are many stretch mark creams, lotions, oils, and other formulas, often containing vitamin E, cocoa butter, and vitamin A, all of which can help conceal and improve the look of stretch marks, causing the skin to become more soft and supple. Creams that include alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) can have a positive effect in the treatment on stretch marks, as well. Alpha hydroxy acids are made from plant extracts (and as a result are sometimes called "fruit acids"), and can increase the regeneration of cells. Skin may feel flaky and dry upon first use of AHAs because dead cells are being sloughed off, but your skin will feel rejuvenated, healthy, and more pliant after a few weeks. Still, the marks will not disappear completely. There is little difference between the expensive creams that promise to remove stretch marks, and the inexpensive creams that have the same ingredients, so it is highly recommended that the inexpensive creams are tried first, in case the creams have little-to-no effect at all.
Eating a well-balanced diet and drinking plenty of water can also help to make stretch marks less visible. Zinc can also help promote in the manufacturing of collagen, keeping the skin's elasticity in good condition. Exercise consistently improves circulation, which in turn can produce healthy collagen. Smoking tobacco is not recommended, as it can cause the skin to lose elasticity.
Cosmetic surgery is becoming very popular and more widely available for the purpose of removing stretch marks, but permanent removal still cannot be guaranteed. In most cases the stretch marks may be visibly reduced and faded, but not removed. Not only is cosmetic surgery expensive, but it can be uncomfortable, and downright painful for some, with no assurance that it will indeed work. Several types of cosmetic surgeries are available, with differing results:
- Laser Therapy can be used when stretch marks are darker, requires multiple laser sessions, and results often depend on skin type and color.
- Dermabrasion removes the superficial skin layer and dead cells.
- Surgical Removal Peeling is an attempt to replenish the skin, by removing the layer of dead cells with a chemical peel. (Dermabrasion and chemical peels allow for the removal of the epidermis layer of dead skin cells, which causes the dermis layer to create more collagen, improving the skin's elasticity.)
- Abdominoplasty can help to remove stretch marks which are found below the waist
- Surgical skin resection consists of surgically cutting out the stretch marks.
Sometimes certain markings may appear to be stretch marks, but in fact may indicate a condition known as Cushing's syndrome. In this case, the abdominal purple stretch marks may be caused by the adrenal glands creating an overabundance of steroid hormone. You may want to consult a doctor, just in case.
The best way to treat stretch marks is to exercise, eat a well-balanced diet, and moisturize, as all of these things work together to increase circulation, produce healthy collagen, keep skin's elasticity, and maintain healthy, supple skin.
By Julia Temlyn
This Article has been viewed 13,993 times. (Not updated in real-time.)
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