All about Stretch marks

Stretch marks are something a lot of people get and wish they never had. They cause self esteem issues and unfortunately 99% of the population will get stretch marks throughout their lives. 

Today I will be sharing my knowledge with you about stretch marks, because I feel that a lot of people are misinformed about what they are and how to get rid of them.

What are stretch marks?

Stretch marks are a form of scaring of the skin, they start out red and fade to white.

What causes stretch marks?

Stretch marks are caused by tearing of the skin, particularly in the Dermis layer where the cells specific to stretch are. The most common time that stretch marks appear is throughout puberty and pregnancy. You may also get stretch marks if your body is changing shape, and weather you may be gaining fat or muscle at a quick rate.

The areas most susceptible to stretch marks are the stomach, thighs, breasts, buttocks, hips and upper arms.

How can you get rid of stretch marks?

I know their are a lot of products on the market today which claim to get rid of stretch marks, but

Unfortunately you can never completely get rid of them. I like to think of them as rubber bands, once you have broken them they can never return to their original state. 

You can do things to reduce their appearance, but only if the stretch marks are fresh (nice and pink).

Things like laser treatments, dermabrasion and prescribed retinol creams will lessen the appearance of stretch marks. The best way to decide treatment would be to book an appointment in with a Beauty Therapist who specialises in these treatments so they can analyse and treat your specific needs.

How can you prevent stretch marks?

Prevention of stretch marks does not work for everyone, it depends on your skins resistance and DNA. If your skin cells are more lenient then they will stretch more, without tearing and you will be able to help them without permanent scaring. The best way to do so is by keeping the skin moisturised 24/7. This means applying moisturiser or oils (egg oil has been scientifically proved to reduce signs of stretch marks if applied throughout the whole pregnancy), whichever your prefer, multiple times a day, also staying hydrated and drinking fresh vitamin C daily.

Try to remember that almost everyone has gotten stretch marks, whether they are big or small, throughout their lives. It may not look appealing to the eye, but it is a way of life and you should never be embarrassed or ashamed to have them.