Preventing and Treating Stretch Marks

admin — Thu, 14 Jul 2011 17:11:38 +0000

Stretch marks are a form of scars that turn the skin an off color from the normal skin color. There are a variety of medical terms to describe stretch marks such as striae atrophicae, vergetures, striae cutis distensae, lineae atrophicae, linea albicante, or striae gravidarum, when the stretch marks are caused by the rapid growth during pregnancy. Stretch marks can occur in any location on the human body, especially in areas with large deposits of fat. These scars develop by overstretching past the elastic limit of the dermis layer of the skin resulting in a tear. The dermis is the durable middle layer of the skin that helps maintain the shape of the skin; it is located under the epidermis. Tearing of the dermis is usually the result of rapid growth or rapid weight gain. Stretching of the skin is mainly responsible for the location and orientation of the stretch marks; however, the cause of stretch marks is not only from rapid stretching of the skin.Causes of Stretch MarksIn addition to rapid growth, stretch marks are the result of the glucocorticoid hormone. This hormone prevents the formation of collagen and elastin fibers, without these supportive fibers the dermis is able to tear more easily. There are high amounts of hormones during pregnancy. Stretch marks from pregnancy tend to occur during the 3rd trimester of pregnancy, around the six to seven month mark. Among pregnant women, stretch marks are more likely to form when the mother is younger, have a high body mass index, gained over thirty pounds, or had a baby with a high birth weight.Preventing Stretch Marks

There have been a variety of different experiments conducted to find a way to prevent stretch marks among pregnant women. A German experiment determined that a treatment of creams and massage during pregnancy cut in half the number of women that developed stretch marks in comparison to the women that had no type of treatment. Two other experiments also supported the use of cream to prevent the progression of stretch marks during pregnancy.

Contrary to popular belief, however, cocoa butter was not proven to be statistically significant in the reduction of stretch marks. A double-blind placebo-controlled study found that 55% of women using a placebo developed stretch marks during pregnancy. The number that developed stretch marks with the use of cocoa butter were only reduced a statistically insignificant amount to 44% of women.

Removal of Stretch Marks

Stretch marks can be improved or lightened by some different treatments. Some cream companies claim that a cream can improve the appearance of stretch marks; however, few studies support these claims. The treatments to improve stretch marks include dermabrasion and prescription retinoids. Dermabrasion is a surgical procedure that wears away the upper layers of skin through sanding or other methods. The recover after a dermabrasion procedure can take a few months until the skin fully re-grows. Retinoids are a type of Vitamin A that can help regulate skin cells and are used to correct a variety of dermatologic conditions.

A new laser treatment available to remove stretch marks is fractional laser resurfacing. The stretch marks receive microscopic wounds from the laser; the body heals these wounds by creating collagen and epithelium. The production of collagen and epithelium helps improve the appearance of stretch marks.

Natural Treatment For Stretch Marks

admin — Sat, 04 Dec 2010 07:26:16 +0000

Natural treatment or home remedies are a sure and safer way to treat skin diseases. There are unaccountable solutions offered by nature that unfolds the answer to all most every health problem faced by mankind. Stretch marks are no exception here. Some of the home remedies that can definitely reduce your stretch marks are listed below.

1. Oils are essential for the life and youth of your skin. Different types of oil serve different purpose. Lavender oil is one of the most powerful essential oils that can help clear stretch marks quite faster than you think. Lavender oil has a long list of uses that includes treatment for sunburns. Try applying pure lavender oil over the affected areas at least twice a day.

2. Aloe Vera gel can definitely help in reducing the intensity of stretch marks. If used regularly, it would also efficiently prevent further occurrences of such marks. Its long term use can banish the marks entirely. However, you should ensure the purity of the gel or medication before applying.

3. A mixture of essential oils can speed up the removal of stretch marks. You can begin with chamomile oil mixed with lavender oil. You may use avocado oil or almond oil as a base. Chamomile oil is used for treating several types of skin diseases. Chamomile is well known since ancient times for its unending medicinal properties.

4. Treat yourself with a diet rich in green and leafy vegetables, citrus fruits, tomatoes, yogurt and butter. These ingredients assist cell repair and thus help in reconstructing the diseased skin cells.

5. Increase the intake nuts and seeds like almonds, apricot, walnut etc. They have high zinc content in them which helps in healing as well as rebuilding new skin cells faster.

6. Apply a mixture of olive oil and Aloe Vera oil or gel. Apply twice a day for faster effect. Olive oil and Aloe Vera are rich in vitamin E which prevents stretch marks from spreading.

7. Massaging your body with aroma oils is a great way to ward off all sorts of skin disorders and this includes stretch marks too. Although stretch marks might take some time to disappear, aroma oil therapy would certainly make your skin supple and beautiful. Vanilla oil, sandalwood oil, Peppermint oil, Lemongrass oil are some of the common aroma oils used for massage treatment.

8. Scrub your body everyday using a home made scrub such as almond, avocado, apricot, strawberries etc. Apricot scrub is the best option as it is a strong exfoliating agent and contains all the essential nutrients required for skin building.

9. Cocoa butter is a well known home remedy widely used for stretch marks. You can rub the affected regions with cocoa butter for few minutes and wash off after sometime. Repeat this everyday for quicker results. Use twice in a day for faster effect.

10. A mixture of turmeric, olive oil and lemon is commonly used in Asian countries for treating stubborn skin disorders. It is an easy-to-make remedy for stretch marks too.