Stretch marks develop when the skin is stretched to the extent that the connecting collagen fibres in the skin tear, thus producing the tell-tale lines of scarring. Over time these lines normally fade to become somewhat less obvious.

Men and women can get stretch marks and they commonly occur on the stomach, thighs, hips and breasts. Women are more likely to suffer from stretch marks as their bodies are subject to more extreme size changes (for example during pregnancy). Heredity also plays a part in determining a the likelihood of getting stretch marks.

What can be done to reduce or avoid stretch marks?
Unfortunately stretch marks are sometimes unavoidable, especially in the case of pregnant women. However there are things you can do to lessen them, and to avoid the likelihood of getting them, especially if you were able to go through puberty without any.

• Although you don’t really have any control over the amount and speed at which your baby grows, if you are pregnant try not to gain to much excess weight above the recommended levels.
• Try to stay within the optimum weight range for your height and age. Putting on those extra kilograms causes the skin to stretch!
• Some medications, for example hormones and steroids, can help cause stretch marks, so consult your doctor if you are concerned.
• Eat a healthy balanced diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables. These foods are rich in vitamins and will help keep your skin in the best condition. Stretch marks can be more likely to develop if you have dietary deficiencies.
• Drink plenty of water, and try not to drink too much coffee, coca-cola and other caffeinated drinks.
• Where possible exercise daily as an active body is more likely to have healthy, more elastic skin.
• Keep your skin moisturised so that your skin doesn’t become dry and less elastic.
• If you are planning a pregnancy, or are in the very early stages of pregnancy, discuss the options for reducing the possibility of stretch marks with your doctor. They may be able to suggest products and lifestyle changes which will help.

Do stretch mark treatments work?
In actual fact stretch marks are quite harmless, but most people don’t view them as very attractive. Many women don’t worry about them and accept stretch marks as a natural part of having a baby. Many husbands are not concerned by them either and don’t feel that they are a problem worth spending money on.

However for some women and men stretch marks make them feel ugly and affect their self-esteem. The presence of visible stretch marks may hinder the careers of actors or models.

• Creams bought over the counter, such as vitamin E and cocoa butter, are generally not effective in lessening the appearance of stretch marks to any substantial degree. This is because stretch marks are located in the layer of skin that these creams can’t reach. They may help somewhat in making the skin feel supple but they actually have little overall effect.
• Creams containing Tretinoin, which are prescribed by a doctor, can help reduce the appearance of new stretch marks, but have little effect on older marks which have faded. These creams should not be used during pregnancy, or while breastfeeding, so for some mothers the stretch marks are too old by the time they are able to use them, and they are unlikely to be effective. These creams will not get rid of the stretch marks totally, but help reduce their appearance.
• There are some surgical procedures that can help substantially with stretch marks. Be aware that with any surgery there are risks that it could go wrong and cause scarring or other complications. Be sure to seek the services of a qualified and experienced medical professional.

  Surgical procedures include laser surgery, micro-dermabrasion and tummy tucks. The aim is to remove the worst areas and leave any scars hidden as best as possible. None of these procedures are likely to provide a complete removal of your stretch marks, but their appearance can be improved dramatically. The results of surgery will vary depending on factors such as age and skin type.

  Cosmetic surgical procedures such as these are expensive, and will not be provided free under Medicare, and may not be covered under your health insurance policy.

• Endermologie, a technique developed in France, claims to help reduce the appearance of stretch marks using a machine that massages and exfoliates the area.

The internet allows you to research these options more fully and become better informed so that you can talk to your doctor or dermatologist with a better understanding of what is possible.

This entry was posted on Thursday, June 5th, 2008 at 2:01 pm and is filed under Stretch Marks. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Responses are currently closed, but you can trackback from your own site.