What causes stretch marks?
If your skin has been subjected to rapid changes by weight loss, weight gain, muscle building or pregnancy, it doesn’t have the ability to simply bounce back. Rather, it develops scarring known as stretch marks, They may begin as red or purple in color. Eventually, they may look like glossy skin streaked with white or silver.
Stretch marks are actually found in the middle skin layer, or dermis. This is where the skin’s elasticity is found, and, where much of the time, your skin can retain its original shape. But if this layer is stressed or stretched consistently, it may break down, which leaves stretch marks behind.
Most people think of stretch marks as those found on the belly area after pregnancy, but you can actually get them in other areas, as well. This includes the lower back, upper arms, breasts, hips, thighs and other parts of the abdomen.
People who work out with weights may find stretch marks on their arms. The scarring of the skin causes the stretch marks that you can see. You may also see them in young people during the puberty phase of life when they may have rapid spurts of growth. But those stretch marks usually heal as the teens age.
Other stretch marks, like those left after pregnancy, need assistance to be removed in any successful manner. The amount of success you find will depend on your initial marks, as well as your skin tone, your diet and your overall health.
Some products and methods used to remove stretch marks
Prescriptions like Tretinoin cream may be used to remove stretch marks. Laser therapy may also be able to address them. You can also purchase products over the counter, although many of these are not as effective as one would like. Another product we reviewed is called Strivectin SD, read our Strivectin SD review.
Moisturizers are helpful in easing the itchiness of stretch marks, as well as toning down their appearance. You may also opt to use sunless tanning creams or sprays that mask stretch marks by making all your skin darker.
What are some of the most effective stretch mark removal products?
Bio-Oil uses vitamins E and A, along with rosemary, lavender and calendula oils, to create a protective, non-greasy layer over your skin while it penetrates deeply to heal marks and scars. Vitamin A encourages the cell turnover rate to increase, which helps in smoothing out any stretch marks. This is a lightweight product and it is easily absorbed by your skin, protecting it by keeping moisture in.
Clarins Stretch Mark Control is a thick, rich cream that includes olive and centela extracts that help avoid slackening of the skin. This is the process which occurs when your skin sags, creating stretch marks. Crowberry extract helps in maintaining tissue health, and in reducing the lighter pink color seen in stretch marks.
Palmer’s Massage Cream for Stretch Marks is a combination of elastin, collagen, vitamin E and cocoa butter. It’s a cream that is not greasy, and it smooths your stretch marks while it lubricates your skin to help it maintain its natural elasticity, which eases the effects of stretch marks.
How do you apply products designed to remove stretch marks?
Massage these products into the areas where your stretch marks occur. You can also do a simple massage of the areas with circular motions and even, soft pressure. This process, done a few times a day for a few minutes each time, will improve the circulation to the area, so that blood and nutrients will reach your stretch marks more readily, and work at healing them more quickly. Massage can also help in breaking up the bonds of scar tissue, which is what forms stretch marks.
What other products can help to remove the look of stretch marks?
Aloe Vera gel can be rubbed on the areas of stretch marks. This ingredient has natural properties of healing, to help your skin to heal itself more effectively. Select only pure Aloe Vera, which has no dyes or fragrances. Other ingredients may be irritating if your skin is sensitive.
You may also use vitamin E directly on stretch marks. Puncture a capsule of this helpful vitamin and rub its oil on the areas where you have stretch marks. Vitamin E is important in the health of skin and it improves the skin’s elasticity. Using it regularly will help to heal stretch marks.
What other things can be used to help in removing stretch marks?
Eating a healthy diet with plenty of nutrients and vitamins can help your skin to lose some of the look of stretch marks. If you don’t have a proper diet, your skin cannot maintain or repair itself effectively. Eat fresh vegetables and fruits, as well as whole grains, on a regular basis. In addition, a multi-vitamin will fill in any nutritional gaps left by your diet.
Exfoliation can also help to erase the look of stretch marks. Use a body scrub that is very gentle, along with a loofah, to work at exfoliating the areas where you have stretch marks. Exfoliation will allow your skin cells to regenerate more quickly, to replace your stretched, damaged cells. Exfoliating a few times a week will help your body to create healthy, new skin more frequently.
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