How to get rid of stretch marks

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

These home and professional methods will surely work.

What are stretch marks and where do they come from

Stretch marks (they are also striae) are not too pretty purple, pink or white winding stripes on the skin. They are not conspicuous, but they create an uneven tone. Because of this, the skin even on the most toned tummy or perfected hips looks loose and flabby.

Stretch marks appear when a particular part of the body rapidly increases in volume. For whatever reason. Here are the most common Stretch marks: Why they appear and how to get rid of them:

• pregnancy and the accompanying growth of the abdomen;
• breastfeeding - there are often cases when the bust becomes larger by 1-3 sizes;
• sharp weight gain;
• excessive bodybuilding, due to which the muscles are rapidly increasing in size;
• the rapid growth spurt that some adolescents experience during puberty;
• regular use of drugs containing corticosteroids (they are used, for example, in Itsenko-Cushing's disease or Marfan's syndrome).

Normally, collagen and elastin are responsible for the skin's ability to stretch and contract. But if for some reason (hormonal, genetic, etc.) these proteins are not enough, problems begin.

The middle layer of the skin - the dermis - simply tears apart, like a paper bag that is being pulled over a larger item. The tears are closed with connective tissue. As a result, atrophic scars are formed. They are called stretch marks.

As with any scar, it is almost impossible to permanently get rid of stretch marks. Affected skin, penetrated by areas of connective tissue, will never return to its original state. But the right care and some procedures can make striae almost invisible.

How to remove stretch marks

In theory, stretch marks can be overcome at home. True, this applies only to the so-called fresh stretch marks. You can recognize them by their color - pink, lilac, sometimes red-violet. For these shades, the blood vessels are responsible, with which only the formed scar tissue is penetrated.

But gradually the vessels empty, the scars brighten and eventually, usually after 6–12 months, turn into old stretch marks.

In old striae, the pigment melanin is not produced, so they do not change their whitish color even with tanning.

No homemade gadgets work on old stretch marks. The scar tissue has finally formed, and now it can only be removed using professional methods. Let's figure out all the available methods in more detail.

How to get rid of stretch marks at home

Pharmacies sell a variety of ointments, creams, gels that promise to get rid of stretch marks. However, there is no strong evidence that these cosmetics help.

Nevertheless, in some cases, home care can be effective, so it makes sense to start the fight against stretch marks with it. In order not to be disappointed in cosmetic procedures, keep in mind a few important points:

• Use the product of your choice on early stretch marks. He certainly won't help mature people.
• It is not enough to apply ointment or cream to the skin - they must be massaged properly. Massage enhances the effect of medicinal cosmetics.
• Use your chosen remedy every day for at least several weeks. It may take 2-3 months before the result appears.

Here are a few remedies that What Are Stretch Marks? can help.

1. Creams and ointments with retinoids

Retinoids (adapalene, tretinoin) are active substances that increase collagen production and accelerate skin regeneration. In one study, Topical tretinoin (retinoic acid) improves early stretch marks, people applied tretinoin to their skin every night for 24 weeks. After this period, it turned out that the stretch marks became much less noticeable than in the control group who did not use any means.

Attention! If you are pregnant, be sure to check with your doctor. Retinoid medications can harm an unborn child.

2. Products with hyaluronic acid

Hyaluronic acid is also thought to be able to stimulate collagen production. Sometimes Topical management of striae distensae (stretch marks): prevention and therapy of striae rubrae and albae creams and ointments based on it are really capable of making striae more invisible, giving the skin a more uniform tone.

3. Means based on centella asiatica

Centella oil is one of the base oils in Ayurveda. And it does have beneficial properties. In particular, centella also causes the skin to produce more collagen. There is some evidence that products based on oil or centella extract visually smooth stretch marks.

4. Products based on almond oil

Bitter almond oil has been shown to prevent the appearance of new stretch marks. For example, one study showed Topical management of striae distensae (stretch marks): prevention and therapy of striae rubrae and albae: women who massaged their abdomen with almond oil during pregnancy ended up with significantly fewer stretch marks than their counterparts. not using oil or applying it without massage.

But scientists are not sure about the ability of almond oil to cope with existing stretch marks: more or less convincing evidence of this has not yet been found. However, they were not particularly looking for them. So it makes sense to give it a try: you may be lucky.

5. Means based on cocoa, shea, olive, coconut and other oils

Popular for stretch marks, these products are powerful moisturizers. They soften the skin, make it more plump and denser. The moisture-infused epidermis can partly mask the underlying connective tissue.

However, there are no studies that would prove the unequivocal anti-pointed effect of cocoa butter, shea butter and others.

How to get rid of stretch marks using professional methods

If home methods did not help, or we are talking about old stretch marks, which massages and rubbing in creams can no longer cope with, you will have to go to a cosmetologist or dermatologist. Most likely, you will be prompted to perform one of the following procedures.

1. Laser therapy

The laser vaporizes some of the cells of the scar tissue, and at the same time forces the skin to increase collagen synthesis. As a result, new, young and healthy skin is formed over deep stretch marks, which can hide stretch marks underneath.

2. Chemical peeling

A product containing one or another concentrated acid will be applied to the skin. Peeling, like a laser, will dissolve some of the scar tissue and stimulate the growth of healthy skin.

3. Microdermabrasion

We are talking about mechanical resurfacing of the damaged area of the skin with a special device with a rotating circular nozzle. The effect is approximately the same as that of laser therapy and chemical peels.

4. Various injection methods

The doctor will inject drugs under the skin that increase collagen synthesis and increase the moisture level of the skin, which will make it denser, and stretch marks under it will be less noticeable.

5. Minor surgical intervention

This is the most expensive and radical, but also the most reliable way. The stretch marks are simply removed. If it was small, the surgeon will put a cosmetic suture, which after a while will dissolve almost without a trace. If the stretch marks cover a large area, the doctor will transplant a skin flap here from another part of the body.