To dermatologists, stretch marks are known as striae, but to us they are known as something to get rid of! Stretch marks are actually a form of scarring on the skin that causes a slight discoloration. The cause is the tearing of the dermis. It goes without saying that those with stretch marks are looking to get rid of them. Let's explore more about what stretch marks are, why we get them, and which are the best treatment methods.

What Causes Stretch Marks?

Stretch marks are caused by the rapid stretching of the skin that corresponds with rapid growth often experienced during puberty, weight gain or pregnancy. However, stretching alone is not the cause, they can also be influenced by changes in hormone levels as well as diet and exercise. The glucocorticoid hormones are those that are responsible for the development of stretch marks as they affect the epidermis by preventing fibroblasts from forming collagen and elastin fibers. These elements are those that work to keep rapidly growing skin taut. This situation creates a lack of support as the skin is stretched which then leads to dermal and epidermal tearing.

What are the Symptoms of Stretch Marks?

Stretch marks have the appearance of red or purple lines that eventually mature and turn white. Affected areas are soft to the touch and appear empty. Stretch mark scarring affects the dermis which is the resilient middle layer of skin that helps maintain skin shape. Stretch marks generally appear on areas that have the most fat which include the abdomen, breasts, upper arms, underarms, thighs, hips and buttocks.

What are Ways to Get Rid of Marks?

Laser treatments, microdermabrasion and prescription retinoids are a few of the various treatment options available for the purpose of improving the appearance of existing stretch marks. There also exist a number of natural skin care products that help to both prevent and remove stretch marks.

A progressive method of fractional laser resurfacing treats with scattered pulses of light that work on segments of the scar over the course of several treatments. This approach creates microscopic wounds that the skin's biology responds to by forming more collagen and epithelium. This laser therapy has been known to improve appearance, but does not completely remove stretch marks. If considering laser treatments, it is also imperative to think about the pain of the therapy and the expense as multiple sessions are necessary.

Treatment done with microdermabrasion uses a special tool to scrape away outer layers of skin. The skin is firmly exfoliated with a sand blasting technique using microscopic particles. This method stimulates the formation of new collagen and elastin which are essential for healing and smooth skin results. However, there are limitations to microdermabrasion in the treatment of stretch marks. If your stretch marks are already mature and white, they will not respond well to microdermabrasion treatment and may not reduce in appearance at all. There are some natural home microdermabrasion creams that are worth considering and are also mentioned below.

Retinoids refer to products that contain retinol, an element known to increase collagen and elastin production. If consistently massaged into newly affected areas, these medications can improve the appearance of stretch marks. However, this method is not effective once stretch marks have already reached a mature white stage.

Some types of natural stretch marks cream, that have the right ingredients, can exfoliate, penetrate deep into the dermis and work with your skin's natural systems to reduce stretch mark appearance. Products that contain Helix Aspersa Muller not only stimulate collagen and elastin proliferation as do other methods, but can also work to improve the skin's metabolism, counter hormonal effects, and dissolve scar tissue. Enzymes and messenger cells can tell apart damaged cells from good ones, getting rid of those that are non functional and working to rejuvenate healthy cells for the skin's matrix. This comprehensive system is a nonabrasive, natural and sure way to get rid of stretch marks and enjoy healthy skin.