What are stretch marks or stretch marks and what are the treatment methods for stretch marks?

July 10, 2021
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Stretch marks or stretch marks are lines that appear as scars on the skin and mostly appear in areas such as the abdomen, thighs, arms and chest. These vertical cracks on the skin are initially purple or red in color and become pale and silvery over time. This question has arisen for many people, what is the cause of skin cracks and why does it appear on the skin and is there a treatment for skin cracks? These cracks appear on the abdomen in women during pregnancy, usually in the last trimester. But this is not the only place to be seen. It can also be seen on the breasts, hips, waist, hips and thighs, which is known as stria gravidarum. In this article from Kiawin magazine, we intend to introduce you to the methods of stretch mark prevention and treatment.

The cause of stretch marks, signs and ways to prevent lines on the skin

Stretch marks usually occur for various reasons. In this section, we will first look at the signs of stretch marks and then examine the causes of stretch marks in order to know how to prevent them or reduce them.

Signs and symptoms of stretch marks

Stretch marks usually appear as thin lines and bands on the skin. These signs appear red or purple at first, and over time, their color changes to white or silver and sometimes itches or burns.

Stretch marks do not appear in any part of the body, but they appear in places such as arms, underarms, breasts, waist, inner and outer thighs, hips, abdomen, and generally more in areas where the skin changes due to excessive stretching. .

Causes of stretch marks and methods of prevention

The reason for stretch marks is the stretching of the skin and the increase of cortisone in the body system. Disruption of the cortisone hormone causes your skin to lose its elasticity. In the following, we discuss the reasons for creating vertical lines on the skin:

Cracks in the skin caused by weight loss or weight gain

When you increase your weight in a short period of time, a lot of tension is applied to the skin and stretch marks appear. Some athletes, especially men, are looking to build a muscular body as quickly as possible, so they use hormonal drugs and steroids. The use of these drugs causes a sudden increase in muscle volume. As a result, increasing body weight and volume in a short period of time leads to stretch marks.

Likewise, when you lose a lot of weight in a short period of time, there is a lot of pressure on the skin and it causes stretch marks.

So, if you want to increase or decrease your weight, you should do it gradually and under the supervision of a consultant so that stretch marks do not appear on your skin.

Abortion of pregnancy

Pregnancy is one of the main factors that cause stretch marks. With the rapid increase in weight and stretching of the skin, these vertical cracks appear more in the abdomen and thigh areas.

The advice given to women during pregnancy is to avoid unnecessary and excessive weight gain with improper nutrition. The American Pregnancy Association recommends that you always try to maintain the skin’s maximum elasticity during pregnancy. This is achieved by keeping the skin moist and supple at all times.

The role of genetics in causing cracks on the skin

Can heredity play a role in the development of stretch marks? Yes, heredity and genetics also play a role in causing stretch marks. If your parents have stretch marks, even after trying all the treatment methods, you may still have the effect of vertical lines on your body.

Stress and stretch marks

One of the causes of stretch marks can be a change in the level of hormones in the body caused by stress. Do not forget to have a healthy lifestyle and away from anxiety.

Nutrition and its effect on the lines on the skin

Proper nutrition and consumption of nutrients can help prevent abdominal cracks. Vitamins A, C, and E are beneficial for skin health and help in strengthening and elasticity of the skin.

What are the ways to treat stretch marks?

If treatment of stretch marks is not done in the early stages, which is called the golden time, its color will change from pink and red to white. Skin cracks may diminish over time, but it is unlikely that they will heal on their own without treatment. In the following, we describe the methods of treating stretch marks.

Home treatment for cracked skin

Removing stretch marks with vegetable oils

Homemade masks to improve body stretch marks

There are effective home remedies to reduce stretch marks. Using natural oils and vitamin-containing masks helps to soften and increase the elasticity of the skin and can reduce stretch marks over time. Some of the homemade masks to improve the lines on the skin are introduced below. Regular use of these masks can help improve the appearance of stretch marks over time.

Sugar and coconut oil mask

Combine a tablespoon of sugar with a little coconut oil and massage it on the stretch marks for 5 to 10 minutes. This mask helps to gently exfoliate the skin.

Egg white mask

Egg whites are rich in protein and amino acids that help tighten and reduce stretch marks. Apply the egg white gently on the skin and after drying, wash it with cold water.

Honey and almond oil mask

Mix equal amounts of honey and almond oil and apply it on the stretch marks. This composition helps to hydrate and nourish the skin.

Apricot mask

Apply some crushed apricot on the stretch marks. The vitamins in apricot help reduce stretch marks and soften the skin.

Massage and exercise to reduce stretch marks

Regular skin massage and light exercise can improve blood circulation in the body and help reduce the appearance of stretch marks.

Skin care and stretch marks

Using skin care products such as moisturizing and hydrating creams and lotions helps to strengthen the skin by keeping the skin hydrated, reducing the likelihood of stretch marks and improving vertical stripes on the skin.

Medical treatment of stretch marks

Use of lasers

Laser is one of the modern treatment methods that helps reduce stretch marks by stimulating the skin and producing collagen. This method may be expensive but it provides good results.

Drug treatments

Medicines such as retinoid creams and hyaluronic acid are effective in improving stretch marks. These creams help to regenerate and increase collagen production by stimulating the skin.