How to Remove Stretch Marks Before they Become Permanent?

In the world of beauty, stretch marks are something all women get. Studies have shown that up to 90% of pregnant women and 70% of adolescent girls develop marks on their bodies. Marks on the body appear as parallel or groove lines on the skin. They are often unsightly to look at and may ruin a person’s appearance.

These lines may have different colors and textures and appear slightly indented on the skin, which feels on the touch. You cannot eliminate them, but there are things you can do to improve their appearance. This blog shares all the information you need about stretch marks – including the causes, the myths involved, and the right ingredients that may help.

What are Stretch Marks?

First, marks on the body are an aesthetic concern and not a medical condition to be worried about. 

Stretch marks or striae are indented lines on the belly, breasts, hips, buttocks, or other places on the body. Initially, the lines appear red or purple in texture (other than your normal skin) and then switch their color to lighter shades.

Usually, the marks or scars form when the skin is pulled by rapid stretching or tearing. Elastin and collagen are the two proteins in the tissues which sometimes undergo tearing and result in a scar. As the skin in that area heals, it has marks remaining. 

Most red stretch marks fade on their own over time. Faded marks look lighter and shinier in color than the surrounding skin. Pregnancy and puberty are the two phases of life when women usually get them. You may feel swamped with groove lines rooting here and there on your skin. Here’s something you need to know right off the bat: anti-stretch marks cream is the most direct way to address marks on your body.

Causes of Stretch Marks

Stretch marks causes or happen for a variety of reasons. For example, cortisone is a hormone secreted by the adrenal glands. An adequate amount of it helps conduct important functions of the body. However, if it goes out of bounds, it can make the skin lose its elasticity and texture. This can also result in stretch marks on thighs, buttocks, and belly. 

Did you know?

Most of the disorders related to adrenal glands could eventually result in excessive production of cortisone in the body. This may disturb mental peace, sleep cycles, and dietary habits and distort a person’s sense of living.

During pregnancy, the skin stretches in numerous ways to make room for the growing fetus and this results in pregnancy stretch marks on breasts and belly. Dermatologists also suggest that slow and steady weight gain during pregnancy can help fade these. 

Some teenagers may get stretch lines or marks due to growth spurts and sudden changes in their body weight, especially during the first few years of their teenage years. Commonly such marks appear in both boys and girls alike. Less likely, genes are also associated with the appearance of marks on the body. So if your mother had striae, you are likely to get them.

Other causes include: 

• Getting breast implant surgery. 
• Excessive bodybuilding can also cause stretch marks on back or areas where muscles bulge. 
• Taking steroids
• Certain medical conditions, such as Cushing syndrome. 
• Corticosteroid medication overuse.

Those with excessive fair complexion develop pink marks or groove lines. 

Are pregnancy marks any different than stretch marks?

During the pregnancy, the body undergoes a quick and considerable change to accommodate the growing fetus. As a result, hormonal imbalances can change the skin’s fibers, making it prone to stretch lines or marks. 

Though stretch marks on shoulders, arms, and legs are genetic, warding them off during pregnancy can happen easily. All you need to do is moisturize your skin with vitamins C and D. This will promote collagen production, keeping skin strong and elastic to the changes.

Things you can do to avoid getting Stretch

Having marks on the body is a part of stepping into adulthood. But your decision to eliminate or embrace them is your call. Unfortunately, those stretch marks on legs, thighs, hips, butt, arms, and shoulders remain an aesthetic concern for many. So, here we have listed some helpful things you can do to prevent marks in the first place. 

• Weight control

Striae appear when the skin extends due to rapid growth or stretching of the skin. Hence, managing your weight is still the best way to prevent future marks from appearing. Consume a healthy diet and exercise regularly to keep your weight in check. 

• Consume water

Drinking enough water helps keep skin hydrated and soft. Some of the most common reasons for stretch marks are skin that does not have enough moisture or hydration. So the more supple skin is, the less stretch or tears. According to the research, your daily water intake should be about three liters a day to stay hydrated. This would keep your skin adaptable to changes in body weight and shape.

• Eat a nutrient-rich diet.

Consuming a diet rich in multivitamins and minerals supports skin health. Vitamins like C, D, E, protein, and zinc are healthy for the skin. Vitamin C is extremely potent in addressing marks as it helps in collagen and elastin synthesis. Some good eats should include broccoli, nuts, seeds, mushrooms, berries, pomegranates, etc., in your diet. 

• Get enough exposure to sunlight.

A study has stated a correlation between vitamin D and marks reduction. Though more detailed research is still required, the results suggest maintaining healthy vitamin D levels may fade stretch lines. And the best source is the sunlight, of course. 

• Treat fresh stretch marks when they appear

Addressing marks or lines when they have just started to appear helps improve the chances of reducing these groove lines. Using stretch mark removal cream initially will help fade them faster and prevent them from spreading further.

Myths surrounding stretch marks:

Here are the top ten myths about marks you need to unlearn right away-

Myth 1: Thinner people don’t get marks on their bodies.

Myth 2: Stretch lines or marks disappear if you lose weight.

Myth 3: Only women get striae.

Myth 4: All women will get these groove lines during or after pregnancy.

Myth 5: Stretch marks are all one color.

How to Get Rid of Stretch Marks?

As with any scar or mark, it is impossible to get away with stretch marks completely. However, you can significantly lighten their appearance. While research tells us no ingredient would cure these marks for sure, some ingredients can help fade their appearance faster than others. 

These ingredients stimulate the skin and promote cell turnover. You may find these ingredients working on the sparking groove lines with time. While they may not disappear entirely, the narrow bands of silver will descend further beneath the skin and become less noticeable. 

Keeping your skin hydrated can also help. We know moisturized skin does not develop stretch marks as quickly as dehydrated or parched skin. Furthermore, dry skin is less elastic than hydrated skin. Therefore, you are less likely to develop marks if your skin hydrates well with a nourishing moisturizer.

• Vitamin A

Vitamin A, also called retinoids in skin care products, helps make skin appear wrinkles-free and smooth. Studies have confirmed that tretinoin, a type of retinoid, helps to rebuild a collagen protein in the skin, making the marks look more like your normal skin. 

However, it sometimes irritates the skin, so it’s best to follow the instructions written on the label carefully before using it. 

• Hyaluronic acid

Hyaluronic acid is a powerful ingredient for skin moisturizing and hydrating. It is because the striae come with invisible changes to the skin. These changes make skin elastic in certain areas because collagen cannot strengthen the skin. According to research, it can improve the skin’s elasticity and reduce these marks. As a result, several brands use it in manufacturing hand creams and body lotion. 

• Aloe Vera

Aloe vera is a proven skin healing ingredient. The Aloe Vera gel can be applied directly to the skin to offer skin nourishment and healing. In addition, research has affirmed that aloe vera helps heal skin from damage. And since marks are nothing but a sort of skin scarring, the nourishing properties of aloe vera repair skin and help with marks fading. The botanical king is often an important ingredient in body washes because of its skin-nourishing qualities. 

• Coconut oil

Coconut oil helps maintain the skin’s protective barrier and improve dry skin. However, there’s little evidence that coconut oil has been helpful with marks, while research on other significant plant oils has shown no improvement. That said, it is possible that gently massaging the oil onto the skin could prevent marks and nourish your skin. 

• Sugar

Sugar is a known exfoliator. The small sugar crystals gently slough off dead skin cells and leave the skin feeling smoother. You can use sugar as a body scrub with softening agents like coconut oil and scrub gently. Repeat twice a week and rinse off with warm water. 

Mamaearth Stretch Marks Cream

Mamaearth’s safe and gentle skin care products have a solution for most of your skin concerns, be it pigmentation or stretch marks. Our nature-friendly skin care products, including face cleansers, body lotions, creams, etc., are best suited for both men and women. And since we say no to any harsh chemicals or toxins, there is no chance of allergic reactions on the skin. 

Saturated with the goodness of Shea Butter and Cocoa, this stretch marks cream can soothe itchy and dry skin. It works on the lines or marks on the stomach and anywhere else. It also has Milk Proteins and Peptides to help build Collagen or restore the skin’s elasticity. In addition, milk proteins ensure that the skin seals in moisture and stays hydrated. 

In addition, it also helps address those red or purple lines on the body, primarily resulting from a hormonal imbalance and causing skin stretching. Further, this cream has no harsh chemicals or artificial dyes, so that you can use it without worry. 

Outlook
Stretch marks are highly common in women and men. The changes that bring about these marks, such as hormonal imbalances, pregnancy, growth spurts, changes in weight, etc., happen to many people. Unfortunately, there is no sure-shot solution to make these marks disappear entirely. Still, some ingredients or topical creams are available to promote the skin’s healing process. 

Most of them may fade away with time. But if you still feel overwhelmed about those marks on your body, it’s time to amp up your skincare routine with the best cream for stretch marks. Mamaearth’s various skin care products help treat most skin woes easily. You can browse the website and explore our nature-inspired face cleanser, body wash, creams, etc. 

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