What are stretch marks and how do they appear?

Stretch marks are skin lesions in the form of lines that occur due to hormonal factors and rapid growth and weight gain, it affects men and women of different ages, these scars are formed when collagen and elastic fibers on the skin surface are broken, caused skin stretching. The lines are formed because of the decrease in the thickness of the dermis and epidermis, the stretch marks are divided into three types and each one has a color.

Red stretch marks: they are new stretch marks and reach the first layer of the skin, they have great abilities to regenerate if they are taken care of early and properly.

Purple stretch marks: this type of stretch mark is not so new, it is in the intermediate stage and is easy to treat, if not taken care of while it is at this stage, it can then worsen into advanced stretch marks and difficult to remove.

White stretch marks: these are old stretch marks, when they are in this color it means that there is little blood circulation in the region and that the chances of regeneration are few and often it takes a more intense treatment to treat them, but they are not completely eliminated.

Excessive stretching of the skin is the main responsible for the appearance of stretch marks, yet there are other factors that can cause the appearance of these unsightly lines, which are:

Pregnancy: Stretch marks are born on the breasts, abdomen and shoulders

Rapid muscle mass gain: stretch marks are born on the shoulders

Pubertal spurt: stretch marks on hips, thighs and breasts

Weight gain: Stretch marks appear on the hips and abdomen.

The places that stretch marks are most often born are on the belly, breasts, behind or beside the arms, buttocks, thighs and in men, stretch marks can be born on the back in the form of a horizontal.

Treatment for each type of stretch marks

Knowing the type of stretch marks is essential to find the appropriate treatment, some are simpler, while others are more intense and somewhat painful, the main function of the treatments is to stimulate blood circulation in the place, to favor the formation of new cells of collagen and elastin and then, reduce stretch marks, see how to treat them.

Red stretch marks

1- Hydrate with cream that has retinoic acid or glycolic acid

2- Drink lots of water and eat healthy

3- Exfoliate the skin 3 times a week (you can use homemade exfoliator)

4- Avoid taking a hot shower

5- Avoid medication with corticosteroids

Red stretch marks are new and easy to treat, you can take care of them at home, changing some habits and if you feel the need, go to a dermatologist for an immediate procedure to eliminate stretch marks.

Purple stretch marks

1- Exfoliate the skin up to 2 times a week for 2 to 3 minutes

2- Use the stretch mark cream and apply to the affected area twice a day

3- Use oils, preferably rosehip oil that helps to smooth and lighten the skin.

Like red stretch marks, purple stretch marks also need home care, but they need specific products for stretch marks.

White stretch marks

1- CO2 laser or pulsed light: completely eliminates stretch marks, renewing the skin

2- Intradermotherapy: injections are applied with chemical substances along the length of the stretch mark, reducing and improving the appearance

3- Dermabrasion: mechanical exfoliation that removes the surface layers of the skin makes it more uniform

4- Dermaroller with needles stimulates collagen and elastin formation

5- Peeling with retinoic acid: treatment done by the dermatologist

The treatments for white stretch marks are more intense and must be done with a dermatologist, the treatment varies from person to person and is not always 100% effective, it is also worth remembering that after completion, you must continue with all the necessary care to avoid the appearance of new stretch marks.

Exfoliating the skin is essential to assist in blood circulation and prevent the skin from being damaged, if you don't have an exfoliator at home, you can create your homemade one with these recipes.

Sugar and oil: 2 tablespoons of coarse cornmeal and 2 tablespoons of plain yogurt

Coffee grounds: 2 tablespoons of coffee grounds and 2 tablespoons of liquid soap

Baking soda with water: 2 tablespoons of baking soda and 2 tablespoons of water

Preparation: mix the ingredients and apply to the skin making circular movements for 2 to 5 minutes, exfoliate the skin 3 times a week.

Does stretch mark cream work?

In the world of cosmetics, there are several options for creams and oils that promise many benefits for the skin, but is it really effective? And well, this will depend on your type of stretch marks, when it comes to red and purple stretch marks they can disappear over time if the cream is used correctly and in the necessary amount, as for white stretch marks, the cream may not be so well, since there is a greater difficulty in regenerating, the region can be much more hydrated, but the stretch marks will not come out, it can soften slightly.

How to prevent the appearance of new stretch marks?

After the stretch marks are treated and disappear, the biggest concern is with the appearance of new stretch marks, and to prevent them from appearing again, you need to be more careful, apply creams and oils daily, stay hydrated, and avoid gaining or losing them. weight very fast, these are some of the small habits you can have at home.

Treating stretch marks or not is an individual choice, but if it's something that bothers you, it's worth consulting a dermatologist and finding the best treatment for you, always remembering that the results may not always turn out as expected, right?

How is your relationship with stretch marks? Do you deal with them normally or is it something that bothers you? Have you ever had any kind of treatment?