Let’s talk stretch marks
Let’s talk stretch marks
WHAT ARE STRETCH MARKS?
Stretch marks, also known as striae, are fine lines or streaks that appear on the skin when it is overstretched. They typically occur during rapid growth or weight gain, such as during puberty or pregnancy. Initially, stretch marks appear as red, purple, or dark brown lines, depending on skin color, and can be slightly indented with a different texture than the surrounding skin. Over time, they lose their color and become whitish or silvery in appearance.
WHAT CAUSES THEM?
Stretch marks are caused by the stretching of the skin, often due to rapid growth or weight gain. When the skin stretches quickly, it can disrupt the normal production of collagen and elastin, the proteins that support the skin's structure, leading to the formation of stretch marks. Factors that can increase the likelihood of developing stretch marks include genetics, hormonal changes, and the level of stress on the skin. Fluctuating hormone levels, particularly cortisol, can also play a role in the development of stretch marks.
CAN YOU PREVENT STRETCH MARKS?
short answer - NO
You clean lessen the risk of them appearing but a large part of if you develop stretch marks is genetic.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3806248/
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10001689/
WHY DO COMPANIES MARKET STRETCH MARK PREVENTATIVE CREAMS AND OILS?
To put it concisely- deceptive marketing
The study above cites that there was no differences in stretch mark development or severity using topical creams.
This doesn’t mean those creams/oils are useless one of the ways to lower risk of severely having them is moisturizing the skin; but you dont need a special stretch mark “prevention” cream to do that 😅
And of course as always check your labels to ensure whatever you choose to use to moisturize.
While there isnt a way to prevent them there is ways to POTENTIALLY decrease risks and severity of them. I say potentially because even after doing these things you may still develop them and develop them severely.
HOW CAN I DECREASE RISK/SEVERITY OF STRETCH MARKS?
-hydration
- a nutritious diet rich in proteins and vitamins D, C, and zinc
- avoid rapid weight gain or loss (of course in pregnancy you can’t control this but external of pregnancy)
- moisturizer to support the skin externally
- exercise and good circulation
Again i reiterate Despite these measures, genetics play a significant role in the development of stretch marks, so some people may still develop them regardless of preventive measures.
There is no magic cream or lotion that can definitively prevent stretch marks
HOW CAN I TREAT STRETCH MARKS?
So …. What do you do once you have them? Well you can fade them using creams or lotions designed to support in fading stretch marks, dark marks, and scars.
Personally I have stretch marks. I am genetically predisposed to them. I used creams and they helped with itching but not prevention. What I do after the fact is use my sunshine balm to support fading the stretch marks.
ARE STRETCH MARKS HARMFUL?
No they are purely a cosmetic issue.
