Stretch marks: causes and treatment methods

Stretch marks are common, especially among women. They can affect about 50-90% of women worldwide. So if you have them, you're not alone.

Stretch marks aren't harmful and there's nothing wrong with having them. Many try to remove them but it's not necessary. Still, you can try to reduce their appearance if it helps you feel more comfortable.

There are many causes for stretch marks like pregnancy, rapid weight gain or loss, and some health conditions. This article will explain what stretch marks are, their causes, how to diagnose them, and how to treat them.

What are stretch marks?

Stretch marks are those wavy lines or bands that show up like scars on the skin when it stretches or shrinks fast. If you touch them, you might feel a slight ridge or edge. They can cause itching or some pain.

Stretch marks can appear anywhere on the body but usually show up in certain areas including:-

• Belly.

• Chest.

• Arm.

• Thigh.

• Buttocks.

Stretch marks aren't harmful to health. Like other scars, stretch marks can be permanent or might fade and disappear over time. For example, stretch marks from pregnancy usually fade within 6 months after giving birth.

Causes of stretch marks appearing

There are many different reasons for stretch marks to show up on the skin, which is why they're common at all ages and in different situations. The causes of stretch marks include:-

1. Increased cortisol in the body

Cortisone A hormone normally secreted by the adrenal gland, but having high levels in the body causes skin to lose elasticity, leading to stretch marks.

2. Pregnancy period

Most women get stretch marks during pregnancy because the skin stretches in different ways to make room for the baby, and this constant stretching causes stretch marks.

3. Gaining and losing weight quickly

Gaining or losing weight fast can cause stretch marks to appear on the skin.

4. Teenage years

Teens might notice stretch marks on their skin after a sudden growth spurt during this time.

5. Using corticosteroids

Using some corticosteroid creams, lotions, and pills can cause stretch marks on the skin.

Some groups of people are more likely to get stretch marks than others, including:-

• Heredity and family history.

• Pregnant women.

• Giving birth to a large twin.

• Marfan syndrome.

• Weight gain.

• Losing or gaining weight fast.

• Using corticosteroid medications.

The color and look of stretch marks can depend on skin tone, but they tend to show more on darker skin.

Stretch mark symptoms

The way stretch marks look can depend on other factors, like:-

• The natural color of the skin.

• The body area affected by stretch marks.

• Skin health and elasticity.

In general, stretch marks are lines with a different texture and color than the rest of the skin. They can be purple, red, light gray, blue, or white.

There are some symptoms that show the marks on the body are stretch marks, including these symptoms:-

• Jagged lines on the skin, which can vary in length and width.

• Pink, purple, brown, red, or blue lines, color varies depending on skin tone.

• Thin shiny lines on your skin that may look white over time.

• Itching or skin irritation after some lines appear.

How to diagnose stretch marks

A dermatologist or healthcare professional can check and diagnose if the marks on your skin are stretch marks by looking at your skin.

Also, the doctor usually reviews your medical history and looks for certain health conditions that might cause stretch marks, like:-

• Cushing’s syndrome.

• Marfan syndrome.

• Ehlers-Danlos syndrome.

• Anorexia nervosa.

• Chronic liver disease.

If there is a confirmed health condition causing stretch marks, specialists may recommend more blood, urine tests, and scans to help find the main cause.

How to get rid of stretch marks

Many products and treatments promise to remove or reduce stretch marks, but there is little research supporting their effectiveness.

Some suggestions that might work as treatment to get rid of stretch marks include:-

• Moisturizers:- Many claim moisturizers can reduce or prevent stretch marks, but no evidence backs these claims.

The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) recommends using moisturizers and gently massaging new stretch marks.

• Self-tanning lotion:- According to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), applying self-tanner on stretch marks is a temporary way to reduce color differences between normal skin and stretch marks.

• Prescription products:- Some research suggests that some prescription products might help reduce early stretch marks, including hyaluronic acid and tretinoin.

• Medical procedures:- Some studies say they often fade over time, but if you don’t want to wait, there are medical procedures and treatments that can help improve their look, which include:-

1. Pulsed dye laser therapy.

2. Fractional photothermolysis.

3. Microdermabrasion.

4. Excimer laser therapy.

Keep in mind that no treatment can make stretch marks completely disappear. Also, these procedures may carry some risks like swelling, skin irritation, and redness.

In the end, no body is perfect. Stretch marks and other marks on the body are just natural signs of your life journey, passing important stages like pregnancy and childbirth.

So don’t let celebrity images or the obsession with cosmetic products fool you into thinking you can have a flawless plastic body with no marks.

Source of the article:- 1.