You have stretch marks on your body, but you still don’t really know how stretch marks form. It is important to know this in order to prevent their further appearance.
If you have stretch marks, probably what you would like most is to make them disappear. Those lines on your skin are not harmful to your health, but looking at them bothers you the most, because they can really look not so nice.
Although the stretch marks will never really go away, yes, it is true, they could only fade over time with the help of certain products and treatments.
With stretch marks, the most important thing is the moment when you start treating them.
When stretch marks turn white, unfortunately, there is no help.
What Are Stretch Marks?
Stretch marks are “carved lines” that appear anywhere on the skin as streaks, i.e. lines on the skin. When they first appear, they are straight red lines, and over time they will become like slightly depressing white stripes. They can appear near the armpits, on the thighs, abdomen, chest, back and groin.
What Do Stretch Marks Look Like?
You may have noticed that stretch marks appear on your skin in different colors. At first they will be red or pink to purple-blue to thinner, pale, while in the end they will be completely white as time passes.
Stretch marks can appear on the abdomen and on many parts of the body: back, chest, buttocks, shoulders and thighs.
How Do Stretch Marks Form?
Stretch marks appear when your body or skin stretches quickly for any reason. The thin lines that appear then are just stretch marks – and that is, in short, the best explanation to your question how the stretch marks form.
Collagen is a protein that makes your skin elastic. If your skin doesn’t have enough of it, stretch marks can appear as your body stretches.
Stretch marks are scars that can appear when collagen and elastin fibers break down during puberty, pregnancy, or significant weight gain or loss that occurs in a short period of time.
During puberty, pregnancy and changes in body weight, the adrenal glands produce more hormones than usual.
These hormones are what can cause collagen and elastin fibers to tear when the skin is stretched. Weight loss alone does not cause stretch marks – it actually stimulates the hormonal changes that cause them. Genetics play a big role in who gets stretch marks, keep that in mind.
You can get stretch marks because of:
- Rapid weight gain or growth during puberty
- Pregnancies
- Breast surgery
- Bodybuilding
- High amounts of steroids, either from steroid drugs or diseases such as Cushing’s syndrome
- Marfan syndrome, a genetic disease that weakens skin fibers and causes unusual growth
Who Can Get White Stretch Marks?
Stretch marks are more common in women, especially during pregnancy. As your belly grows when you are pregnant, to make room for your baby, the skin stretches. Hormones during pregnancy can also weaken skin fibers and cause stretch marks.
Stretch marks can appear on any part of the body that becomes larger during pregnancy.
Both women and men who are overweight can get stretch marks. Even bodybuilders who do not have excess fat, can get them where their muscles bulge.
Stretch marks can also appear in children, if they gain weight quickly, as well as in puberty. At that time, besides stretch marks, cellulite often appears in girls. Puberty is the part of life when big changes happen.
Purple Stretch Marks at Puberty
Stretch marks are a normal occurrence during puberty for most girls and boys. As a person grows or gains weight very quickly (as during puberty), that person can gain stretch marks anywhere on the body. If you are currently going through puberty, then don’t be surprised if they appear on your body as well.
So, if you notice stretch marks on your body, you should know that you are not alone. Most people have them usually on the chest, thighs, hips and buttocks.
If you are an overweight person and have a problem with excess weight, expect purple or red stretch marks to appear. Here are a few things to consider if you want to make stretch marks less visible:
1. You may have heard that the sun or a solarium will help cover stretch marks. That is not true, and besides, the sun and solarium will do more harm than good when it comes to long-term health of your skin.
2. Try to use makeup that matches your skin tone to at least temporarily cover stretch marks. Although some manufacturers make these products waterproof, makeup may not be the best solution if you spend a lot of time in the water.
3. What you need to know and what is true, you cannot completely remove stretch marks without the help of a dermatologist or a plastic surgeon, especially if they have turned white.
Plastic surgery uses techniques such as microdermabrasion and laser treatment – to reduce the appearance of stretch marks.
These techniques are very expensive and at the same time are not recommended for teenagers.
How Do Stretch Marks on the Breast Form?
Yes, it is true, stretch marks can also appear on your chest. If you notice stretch marks on your breast, there is no reason to be alarmed; it’s not pleasant, but it’s actually quite common. Stretch marks on the breast can be the result of many different factors.
- Weight gain – stretch marks on the breast are usually the result of rapid changes in breast size. If you have recently gained a few extra kilos, do not be surprised if stretch marks appear on your breast. Even after losing excess weight, stretch marks will remain.
- Pregnancy and birth control – during pregnancy, a woman’s breasts grow and remain enchanting after childbirth as long as the mother is actively breastfeeding the child. Many birth control pills cause a woman’s body to react as if a woman is pregnant, so increase in breast size is a common case.
- Hydration and exercise – in certain situations, stretch marks can appear due to dehydration and lack of exercise. A well-hydrated person has softer skin and is therefore less likely to get stretch marks. Regular exercise will naturally help you maintain your skin and release your body of toxins. If you notice stretch marks without a significant increase in breast size, consider daily water intake and exercise regime.
- Cushing’s syndrome – can cause stretch marks without a rapid increase in breast size. Haven’t you heard of this syndrome? Okay, here’s the explanation. Cushing’s syndrome develops if your body overproduces a hormone called cortisol or due to excessive use of corticosteroid drugs. With an excess of cortisol, dark pink and purple stretch marks can appear on your body. Cushing’s syndrome also causes high blood pressure, bone loss and diabetes.
How Do Stretch Marks Appear on the Legs?
Is there any difference on how stretch marks appear on the legs?
Excess weight – if you gain weight quickly, it can cause stretch marks on the thighs and leaves. Even when you lose weight, stretch marks will still be there, yes, right on your legs. Over time, they can only fade and become less visible.
Fast growth – if you grow very fast during puberty, your skin stretches too fast, which leads to stretch marks on your legs. Certain creams can help with these stretch marks. We also recommend cellulite creams, which can help you if stretch marks are accompanied by this problem.
Medical reasons – Certain medical reasons such as Marfan syndrome, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome and other genetic disorders can cause stretch marks. Under the influence of these medical conditions, stretch marks can spread all over your legs.
Stretch Marks on Arms
Stretch marks are not a serious health problem and do not interfere with the activities of your daily life, it is important to know that. However, it is an aesthetic problem. It is not pleasant when they are seen on your hands, and you want to wear your favorite T-shirt.
How do stretch marks appear on arms?
Stretch marks on arms are most often caused by muscle growth, weight gain and puberty.
The muscles of the arms, including the biceps, triceps and forearm, are favorite places for stretch marks to appear and for those who do bodybuilding. As the muscle expands, so does the skin.
Your skin naturally adapts to the “growing body”, but when the change happens faster than expected, the connective tissues under the skin become traumatized and cannot adapt. When this happens, stretch marks will appear on your arms.
Excess weight gain also contributes to the appearance of stretch marks on the arms.
Treatments for stretch marks on the arms
There is a wide range of options for treating stretch marks on your arms. So there is a cure, and there is no reason to despair. A large number of lotions and chemical scrubs can help you. Just be sure to choose lotions and creams rich in vitamin E, cocoa butter and essential oils.
Meanwhile, laser therapies and other advanced treatment options such as dermal needles and endermologie are best used for older and faded stretch marks, because they focus on the production of collagen that appears in the layer of the dermis after the epidermis.
Before you decide what is the best solution for stretch marks on your arms, it is best to consult an expert and hear his medical opinion.
How to prevent stretch marks on the arms?
The key to preventing the appearance of stretch marks on the arms is to maintain body weight and muscles stable. Relax during your daily schedule, eat properly and drink a lot of water in order to hydrate the skin. Take supplements such as zinc and vitamins A and C to speed up tissue healing and boost collagen production.
How Do Stretch Marks Appear on the Back?
Is it possible to get stretch marks even on your back? You have noticed that stretch marks most often appear on the abdomen, chest, buttocks, thighs and upper arms, but they can also be found in other places, including your back.
So why and how do stretch marks appear on the back?
Well, the reason is the same as with other stretch marks, the skin usually expands, due to excessive and/or rapid weight gain. When the skin is stretched too much, the elastic fibers in the dermis or the middle layer of the skin break down, causing the characteristic red or purple colored streaks.
Excessive amounts of cortisol, a hormone produced by the adrenal glands, weaken the elastic fibers in the skin and increase the chances of getting stretch marks. Corticosteroid drugs have a similar effect. While cortisol and corticosteroids alone do not usually cause stretch marks, they increase the chances of their forming.
Who can get stretch marks on the back?
Anyone can get stretch marks on their back, but the best chances will be if you are:
- A woman
- Overweight
- You have people in your family who are prone to stretch marks
- Exposed to large amounts of stress
- Taking corticosteroid medication
It is difficult to prevent stretch marks, sometimes it is impossible to cure them, if they are completely white. The most important thing you can do for yourself is to maintain a healthy weight.
If you are struggling with excess weight and you need help with weight loss, it is best to consult a doctor for help.
How to Prevent Stretch Marks?
Are there any products that can help you?
Makeup can help you hide stretch marks, but only temporarily. There are many creams, oils and other skin ointments that claim to cure them.
- Tretinoin: Creams with tretinoin (Retin-A) contain a retinoid. These creams can help your stretch marks fade, but at the same time they can cause your skin to become red or irritated.
- Gotu kola: This vegetable oil affects the cells in your body that produce collagen. Gotu kola is found in numerous stretch mark creams, but there is little evidence that it will help completely with stretch marks.
- Almond oil: One study found that women who massaged the skin of the abdomen during pregnancy with almond oil had fewer stretch marks than others who only used the oil without massage.
- Cocoa butter, shea butter, olive oil and vitamin E oil: These natural creams can help make your skin softer, but it’s not clear if they will help with stretch marks.
Prevention of Red Stretch Marks
The best prevention is a healthy life and maintaining normal body weight. Try not to put yourself in a situation to gain or lose weight quickly. If you want to lose a few kilos, try to go slowly, with a healthy and balanced diet, which is rich in vitamins and minerals and regular exercise.
It is normal to gain weight during pregnancy. It is also important here that your diet is varied, in order to include all the nutrients necessary for you and your baby. That way, these persistent lines will be less frequent and less visible, and you will be able to get your body back in shape.
