How to get rid of stretch marks
As we age, our skin changes and begins to lose elasticity as collagen breaks down. Stretch marks are caused by these changes. Learn what causes stretch marks, how to prevent them from occurring, and also get rid of them.
Stretch marks are extremely prevalent, with estimates indicating that up to 90% of people have them. They usually arise during or after pregnancy, as well as after other drastic or quick weight fluctuations. Stretch marks, for example, may appear in adolescents who are fast expanding. Whatever it is causing your stretch marks, I am happy to tell you that you can get rid of them easily.
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What are Stretch Marks?
Stretch marks, appear as bands of lines running across your skin as your skin stretches or shrinks rapidly. These marks can appear almost anywhere, but they’re most common on the following areas such as thighs, breast, stomach, buttocks, upper arms.
You may notice a little ridge or indentation on your skin when you touch them with your fingers. They may also be irritating or painful. Stretch marks aren’t harmful to your health. They can last a lifetime, just like other scars, but they can also fade and change with time.
Stretch marks during pregnancy, for example, fade away after about 6 months. Depending on your skin tone, stretch marks might appear as red, purple, pink, reddish-brown, or dark brown. Stretch marks that appear early on might be itchy and seem raised.
Over time, the color fades and the tiny bands penetrate your skin. A small indentation is usually felt when you run your finger across a mature stretch mark.
Causes of stress marks
Before we talk about how to get rid of stretch marks, let’s take a dive into what can cause it in the first place.
The skin has three layers. Stretch marks form in the dermis (middle layer) when the connective tissue is stretched beyond its elasticity. This is frequently caused by rapid expansion or contraction of the skin.
The connective fibers in the dermis gradually stretch to support sluggish development as the body expands. Rapid growth, on the other hand, results in unexpected stretching. The dermis tears, as a result, allow the underlying layers of skin to show through.
Stretch marks arise as a result of this, as it causes them to form. As the pale fat beneath the skin replaces the normal blood vessels, stretch marks fade to a silvery, white, or glossy appearance over time.
They are more likely to develop and become more severe when there are high levels of circulating cortisone or cortisone is applied to the skin. Cortisone is produced by the adrenal glands from cortisol, a stress hormone. As a result, the skin’s elastic fibers are weakened.
Pregnancy: Stretch marks afflict 50 to 90 percent of pregnant women before, during, and after delivery.
Puberty: Rapid growth is common in young people going through puberty. As a result, stretch marks may develop.
Rapid weight gain: When you gain a lot of weight in a short period, you get stretch marks.
Usage of Corticosteroids: Long-term use of corticosteroid creams and lotions might cause a decrease in collagen levels in the skin. Stretch marks are caused by a shortage of collagen, which helps to tighten and maintain the skin.
How to prevent stretch marks
Prevention they say is better than cure. What can be done to even prevent having stretch marks in the first place before discussing how to get rid of them? Here are measures that can prevent you from having them at all.
1. Control your weight
Whether you’re pregnant or not, maintaining a healthy weight is one of the best methods to avoid stretch marks. Stretch marks appear when your skin rips apart too quickly due to rapid weight growth. When you lose a lot of weight quickly, stretch marks can occur.
Stretch marks appear in certain people during growth spurts, such as puberty. Others, such as bodybuilders, become aware of them after making significant gains through exercise or the use of drugs. Controlling the rate at which your body changes could be your best bet.
To help you manage your weight, eat a nutritious diet and exercise often. If you notice sudden weight gain or loss, it’s a good idea to see your doctor to find out what’s going on.
2. Stay hydrated
It’s as simple as drinking enough water to keep your skin hydrated and silky smooth. Soft skin is less likely than dry skin to develop stretch marks. 104 ounces for males and 72 ounces for women are the current Institute of Medicine daily water intake recommendations.
Coffee and other caffeinated beverages may raise your risk of developing stretch marks. If you drink coffee, make sure to drink enough water, herbal tea, and other caffeine-free beverages to keep your fluid intake in check.
3. Eat a nutrient-rich diet
Stretch marks might also develop if you don’t get enough nourishment in particular locations. Eating foods that promote skin health may be beneficial. Make sure your diet contains items that are high in:
• Vitamin C, D, and E
Collagen maintains the flexibility and strength of your skin. It not only prevents stretch marks but also reduces wrinkles. Collagen production requires vitamin C. Many fruits and vegetables contain vitamin C. Citrus fruits, such as oranges and lemons, contain a lot of vitamin C.
• Zinc
Zinc is a mineral that is necessary for good skin health. It helps with wound healing and inflammation reduction. Despite the absence of evidence linking zinc to stretch marks, including zinc-rich foods like nuts and fish in your diet may help keep your skin in excellent health.
• Protein
Choosing unprocessed foods in a variety of hues is one method to ensure you’re getting a diversity of nutrients. A breakfast of eggs, whole-wheat toast, and mixed berries, for example, adds a range of colors to your plate while also providing a variety of nutrients.
4. Treat fresh stretch marks when they appear
If you can’t eliminate stretch marks on your skin, you can try to make them less visible over time by reducing their appearance. Make an appointment with your doctor or a dermatologist to discuss your alternatives if you have recently developed stretch marks. Your doctor can help you find out what’s causing your stretch marks and may be able to offer treatment options for new ones.
How to Get Rid of Stretch Marks
Stretch marks are commonly thought of as an aesthetic problem. They can be extensive in some cases, causing them to rupture easily in the event of an accident. Stretch marks, like any scar, are permanent but may disappear with time.
There is no ultimate cure for stretch marks because they are created by a tear deep within your skin. Some therapies, on the other hand, may make them less apparent. Certain therapies can help you get rid of the itch. There is no one-size-fits-all treatment for everyone, and some treatments are ineffective.
Stretch marks can be reduced with over-the-counter medicines or treatments, but they will never go away completely. Some treatments may be useful if you are concerned about the appearance of your skin.
Moisturizers
The most common treatment is a hyaluronic acid-based lotion. If used early on in the stretch mark process, it may help to hide the stretch marks.
Topical retinoid therapy
Some people respond best to tretinoin (retinoid) or retinol. It may make them less apparent if done early on every night for 24 weeks. If not taken properly, however, it may cause negative effects. It’s best to avoid it during pregnancy because it’s potentially dangerous.
A skin doctor (dermatologist)
or plastic surgeons may recommend or execute one or more of the procedures listed below to help your skin manufacture more collagen and get the greatest outcomes.
Pulsed dye laser therapy
This is a non-painful light treatment that relaxes the blood veins beneath your skin that produce stretch marks.
Fractional CO2 laser therapy
This treatment may help to remove old white markings. Topical treatments like glycolic acid and tretinoin may be less effective.
Excimer laser therapy
A safe ultraviolet-B light is used to target stretch marks. The coloration of your stretch marks may take more than one to four months to correct.
Microdermabrasion
To help get rid of fresh stretch marks, tiny crystals or microneedles are utilized to rub off the top layer of your skin. It may produce better results when used with skin-peeling treatment.
Chemical peels
The top layer of your skin might be burned with glycolic acid (an acidic solution) to promote new skin growth. This may provide a temporary improvement in the look, but it is unlikely to get rid of stretch marks permanently.
Radiofrequency
Your body produces more collagen as a result of the heat caused by radio wave radiation. Stretch mark reduction has been demonstrated to be both safe and effective.
Ultrasound treatment
This operates in the same way as radiofrequency treatment does. Sound waves are pushed deep into your skin to create heat, tighten your skin, and induce the production of collagen.
Cosmetic surgery
Stretch mark removal surgery, such as a stomach tuck, may be beneficial. However, surgery may result in a new, painful scar, and surgery is costly.
Home remedies to treat stretch marks
1. Lemon juice
Lemon juice effectively diminishes visibility due to its inherent bleaching properties. Use fresh lemon juice daily to see results, or just apply a sliced lemon wedge to your blemishes
2. Argan oil
Enhanced with vitamin E Argan oil improves skin elasticity, thus applying it on stretch marks may help to mend the torn tissues and fade the marks over time.
3. Egg White
Egg white is a high-protein, high-amino-acid superfood for the skin. It helps to lighten stretch marks while also tightening the skin when applied to them.
4. Juice from potatoes
Potatoes, which contain starch and other skin-lightening enzymes, are commonly used to lighten dark circles, blotches, and imperfections on the skin. It bleaches the skin and successfully decreases the visibility of stretch marks when applied daily.
5. Olive Oil
Olive oil is high in antioxidants and other nutrients that help to repair skin damage and has a lot of moisturizing properties. The usage of cold-pressed olive oil can aid in the reduction of stretch marks.
6. Sugar
Combine sugar, olive oil, and lemon juice to make a scrub. It should be rubbed in for ten minutes after being applied to the stretch marks. Rinse with lukewarm water.
7. Castor Oil.
Apply castor oil directly to the stretch marks and massage in a circular motion for 15-20 minutes. After the massage, cover the area with a thin cotton cloth and apply heat with a heating pad. To achieve the best benefits, do this as often as you can for a month.
8. Aloe vera gel
Remove both the outer layer and the sticky goo inside the aloe vera leaf. Apply aloe vera gel on stretch marks and leave on for 2-3 hours before rinsing off with water.
9. Apricots
Apricots Grind 2-3 apricots to a smooth pulp after removing the seeds. Apply the paste immediately on the stretch marks. Allow 20 minutes to complete the process. After that, rinse it with lukewarm water.
10. Black tea
Black tea has a lot of vitamins and minerals, including Vitamin B12, which helps with skin pigmentation.
Boil a couple of teaspoons of black tea and season with salt to treat stretch marks. Apply the mixture to the markings after it has cooled, and repeat the process until they are gone.
Dietary Remedies
1. Water
A daily intake of 8-10 glasses of water is helpful to the skin. It helps to restore elasticity to the skin, keeping it smooth and silky. Stretch marks are reduced as a result of this.
2. Vitamin C
Berry, raw cabbage, citrus fruits, kiwi fruit, melons, peas, peppers, broccoli, pineapple, spinach, tomatoes, and turnips are all high in vitamin C. It’s an antioxidant that helps us battle pollution and free radicals in our bodies. If you have enough Vitamin C, your skin scars will heal faster.
3. Vitamin E
Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant that both protects and nourishes the skin. Almonds, raw seeds like pumpkin and sesame, Swiss chards, hazelnuts, pine nuts, spinach, avocado, broccoli, parsley, papaya, and olives are some of the foods high in vitamin E. Eating these meals daily can help to prevent stretch marks.
4. Gelatin
Collagen, which is also found in your skin and is responsible for its suppleness, is found in gelatin. Bone broth (chicken, lamb, or beef) is a great way to get more gelatine in your diet.
5. Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Omega-3 fatty acids are also beneficial for skin suppleness. Flaxseed, chia seeds, salmon, sardines, cod liver, walnuts, soybean, beef, tofu, shrimp, and cauliflower are some of the foods that can help prevent stretch marks.
