Stretch marks are scars caused by tiny tears in the dermis layer of our skin. They look like stripes or lines.
When the collagen in our skin and elastin fibers are stretched, when a person grows or gains weight rapidly, there's a chance that stretchmarks may develop. Over time, stretch marks will take on a scar like appearance that's lighter.
Preventing stretch marks can be impossible because, throughout life, we grow up and sometimes out. Weight loss can affect stretchmarks as well. There are various treatments and preventative measures that we can take to limit or lessen the effect of stretch marks.
Prevention & Care
Prevention is the best medicine, and it goes a long way! Taking care of our skin, the largest organ on our body, helps take care of us on a few different levels. A little vitamin-rich lotion and self-care can work wonders.
Topical Creams & Treatments
There are a couple of different options. Retinoid cream is a topical cream a doctor might recommend for you to take. A doctor can run some tests and determine what exactly is causing the stretch marks and match the right cream for the cause.
Silicone gel helps naturally increase collagen levels and lower melanin. This makes the gel useful for treating stretch marks.
Laser Therapy
Laser therapy has been found to help stretch marks fade. It takes several weeks of treatment for the treatment to work. Don't be surprised if you need 20 sessions, but it is possible.
Platelet-rich Plasma (PRP)
Injections of platelet-rich plasma can assist in rebuilding collagen. The effects of the PRP injections will help stretch marks be less visible.
Micro-needling
Micro-needling is also known as collagen induction therapy. This is the practice of tiny punctures being put in the top layer of the skin to trigger the production of elastin and collagen. Six micro-needling treatments over six months are recommended for maximum results.
Microdermabrasion
Microdermabrasion and retinoid cream can produce the same level of impact on the results.
Natural Cream
Some creams contain a herbal blend of oils and ingredients meant to help prevent and repair stretch marks. No unnecessary chemical fillers are used, making it an excellent option for organic treatment.
Self-Care For Stretch Marks
A healthy diet impacts our body as a whole, including our skin. Vitamins and minerals are essential for everything. Let's look at some things to make sure you've got in your regular diet or supplements.
- Vitamins E & C
- Zinc
- Silicon
- Oils ~ Almond, Castor, Coconut
Stay Hydrated
If we don't drink enough water, it affects our entire body. Our skin will be dry, limiting its ability to stretch without damage. Eight glasses of water a day is the standard daily recommendation.
Avoid Corticosteroids
Corticosteroid creams, pills, and lotions can decrease the skin's ability to stretch. Stretchmarks are one of the results of skin that's too tight.
Take good care of your skin, and it'll take good care of you. Don't let it get too dry or oily. Make sure you're eating a balanced diet and supplementing for what you don't eat.