Each time you notice stretch marks on your body, you wonder why they occur in the first place and why on your body. Moreover, those obstinate scars just don’t seem to vanish, no matter how many creams you apply. And then you hope time will heal them and make your skin look as normal as it was before they appeared on the scene, and you would never have to see them again.
Well, firstly, you need to know that stretch marks as such happen when the skin is pulled by rapid growth or stretching. Although the skin is usually fairly elastic, when it's overstretched, the normal production of collagen, which is the main protein that makes up the connective tissues in your skin, is disrupted and stretch marks are formed.
But there are various myths surrounding these fine lines, and it is important to sieve the grain from the chaff and bring out the facts about stretch marks. Here we go:
Myth 1: Only pregnant women get stretch marks
- Truth: When boys and girls undergo sudden growth (during puberty), or when a person gains weight really quickly, the skin gets pulled and fine lines may appear. Many women get stretch marks during pregnancy. These tend to appear on the breasts, thighs, hips, and butt. Those who are obese and also bodybuilders are prone to stretch marks because of the rapid body changes that bodybuilding can produce.
Myth 2: Stretch marks go away once you lose weight
- Truth: Some stretch marks do fade away after you lose the weight you gained, but most have a tendency to hang around. Skin that has thinned and stretched to form stretch marks, does not easily return to normal.
Myth 3: You can’t prevent stretch marks
- Truth: To truly keep stretch marks from occurring, ensure you are having a healthy diet, so that if your skin is healthy, it can repair itself, should damage occur. Skin also maintains elasticity and collagen production when the proper vitamin balances are achieved. This can keep the connective tissues elastic and pliable, preventing stretch marks from forming.
Myth 4: Only plastic surgery can treat stretch marks
- Truth: Besides plastic surgery, there are other ways of treating stretch marks and these include chemical peels, laser therapy, and pulsed light therapy. There are many creams and other skin products available in the market that claim to eliminate stretch marks, however, they can't make stretch marks disappear entirely.
Myth 5: Stretch marks are expensive to treat
- Truth: Yes, some treatments such as plastic surgery can be quite costly, but there are other choices you can make to treat stretch marks. Many lotions or creams can reduce the appearance of stretch marks. Chemical peels are also a lower cost option.
Myth 6: Teenagers and young children don't get stretch marks
- Truth: It is very common for teenagers and young children to develop stretch marks. These occur because of the rapid growth spurts that children undergo. Luckily because they are still growing their bodies have a tendency to heal quickly. Children's stretch marks seem to fade much faster than stretch marks developed during adulthood.
Myth 7: Stretch mark creams don't work
- Truth: You may not be able to locate a genuine and effective stretch mark remedy easily. This is because there may be some unscrupulous companies that will knowingly sell ineffective creams to unsuspecting consumers; hence, the idea is to rely on reputed companies that sell quality products and to do a research, or to ask your friends who have bought creams that have worked for them. However, stretch mark creams will not remove the mark entirely.
Myth 8: Hormones have no role to play in the formation of stretch marks
- Truth: When genetics are the catalysts for stretch marks, they are most often brought about by hormonal surges. These surges can sometimes prompt muscle growth which can overwhelm the skin causing it to stretch and rip. It may also target certain proteins in the skin that support skin cell function. The tearing which occurs due to a depletion of collagen, destroys the connective tissues of the skin which is manifested as scarring on the upper levels of the dermis.
Home remedies for treating stretch marks:
- It is very important to exercise in order to get rid of stretch marks; toning your muscles helps your skin to firm thus preventing stretch marks.
- Make sure in your diet you are getting plenty of protein and foods rich in Vitamin C and Vitamin E, they promote good tissue growth.
- Massaging your body with olive oil or Vitamin E may help.
- Another home remedy would be to apply Aloe Vera gel on the marks. They would lighten the marks over a period of time.
- Also avoid saturated fats in excess, because they can cause excessive stretching of the skin, and also lead to obesity.
- Keep the water content of the skin high in order to maintain its suppleness. Pregnant women must drink at least 6-8 glasses of water daily.
To conclude, for permanent removal of stretchmarks rely on the latest treatments and therapies, but home remedies and lotions can help in lightening them over a period of time.
