Stretch marks, why they appear and how to treat them

May 15, 2023Sofia Francès0 comments

Stretch marks are stripes or lines on the skin, which can appear on different parts of the body. The most direct reason for its appearance is the stretching of the skin itself and, normally, they usually arise due to the increase or decrease in body weight and pregnancy.

Mainly, they are usually located in specific areas such as: the abdomen, buttocks, hips, arms or breasts and the most subtle way of showing up is from cracks in the skin. The appearance of stretch marks is related to two types of hormones: corticosuprarenal and estrogen.

What are Stretch Marks?

Stretch marks are scar-like lines that form parallel to the surface of the skin, pinkish-violet in color when they are recent; whitish if they have been evolving for a long time. Therefore, depending on the color they have, we can talk about: white stretch marks, purple stretch marks and even red stretch marks.

Stretch marks are formed by the alteration of the collagen and elastic fibers of the dermis, normally as a consequence of strains caused by a rapid increase or reduction in body volume. They can appear anywhere on your body, although most often they are located on the buttocks, hips, thighs, abdomen, and breasts.

Whatever your stretch marks are: white, purple or red, they are not dangerous to your health, there are also non-invasive treatments to reduce them and also aesthetic treatments to hide them.

Why do stretch marks appear?

There are different causes that could be involved in the appearance of stretch marks: hormonal changes such as adolescence or pregnancy, changes in body volume as occurs during the growth season or sudden weight gain. They can also be caused by some medications such as corticosteroids. Together with all of them, it seems that there is a certain (familial) genetic predisposition and that people with dry skin are more prone to presenting them.

Faced with a rapid increase or reduction in body volume (very aggressive diets or pregnancy) the skin is subjected to great tension and is not capable of producing more skin cells, thus compensating for the rapid stretching.

In the case of pregnancy, it means a great change in the body at all levels. The progressive increase in the abdominal perimeter causes tension in the deeper layers of the skin, especially in its collagen and elastic fibers, causing its breakdown and the appearance of stretch marks.

How can I remove them?

Eliminating stretch marks with a cosmetic treatment is practically impossible, but there are remedies and tips that can help reduce them and, most importantly, prevent new ones from appearing.

The best treatment for stretch marks is "prevention" to prevent them from coming out or new ones from appearing, rather than a stretch mark cream to help reduce them. To do this, trigger factors must be avoided as much as possible: sudden changes in weight, tobacco and some medications... Follow a healthy and balanced diet and take extreme care of our skin. Within skin care, periodic exfoliation is recommended with cleansers or "scrub" products that perform a superficial "peeling" that helps to eliminate dead cells, stimulate vascularization and improve the penetration of the creams that we apply next. The creams to prevent them must be very moisturizing, also in the form of oil, in order to preserve the condition of the skin and they will be applied with circular and ascending massages, using the palms of both hands.

Stretch marks do not require treatment. They are harmless and often fade over time. Treatment can make them fade, but they may never go away completely.

The following treatments are used to help improve the appearance and texture of stretch marks, although none have been shown to be more effective than the others on a consistent basis.

Retinoid cream. Retinoids, derived from vitamin A, such as tretinoin (Retin-A, Renova, Avita), applied to the skin can improve the appearance of stretch marks if they appeared a few months earlier. Tretinoin, when it works, helps rebuild a skin protein called collagen, making stretch marks more like your normal skin. Tretinoin can irritate the skin.

Light and laser therapies. There are different light and laser therapies that can stimulate collagen production or promote elasticity. Your doctor can help you determine which technique is right for you.

Microneedle treatment. This treatment is done with a handheld device with tiny needles that stimulate collagen growth. This technique, unlike laser therapy, has less risk of skin color changes, making it the preferred initial method for those with darker skin.

What can I do to avoid them?

Drink water : this way you will help your skin to maintain its optimal level of hydration and therefore its elasticity, which will minimize the appearance of new stretch marks.

Regularly exfoliate your skin : once or twice a week ideally. You can make a homemade anti-stretch mark scrub by mixing almond oil with sugar and applying it to the affected area. Sugar is a natural exfoliant and will help your skin's cell regeneration process, thus helping to reduce stretch marks more quickly.

Use natural elements :

Olive Oil – Applying warm olive oil to stretch marks will improve circulation and help fade stretch marks.

Egg white : beaten egg whites are rich in protein and amino acids so they can be a good home remedy to treat stretch marks. Apply it to the affected area, let it dry and remove it with water.

Lemon juice – Citric acid can help minimize them. Apply freshly squeezed lemon juice to the affected area giving a gentle massage and rinse with lukewarm water afterwards.