A Brief Look at Formation and Treatment of Stretch Marks
One of the scientific names of stretch marks is “striae” The appearance of a stretch mark is that of a long scratch or gash. It is characterized by its indented lines on the body where rapid growth and change is occurring, or just has occurred.
More Detailed Explanation
Striae are actually a tearing of the inner layer of skin called the dermis, which is below the skin’s surface. These skin alterations appear as lines that are slightly different in shade to the rest of the skin.
Most of the time, they resemble red or purple scratches in the skin. Sometimes they look like cuts or scars. However, they are not, but rather just slight tears, in some ways like in a piece of paper.
This change in skin appearance is often most noticeable in pregnant women, but also it is characteristic of adolescents (especially overweight teens) reaching puberty. Stretch marks often form during times when the body is growing at a rate more rapid than normal and when muscle mass is increasing dramatically.
Weight gain and/or vertical growth of ten have quite a bit to do with it as well. In fact, this explains why stretch marks usually are visible where the most fat on the body is stored. They are often seen on hips, thighs, buttocks, underarms, breasts, and stomach.
Why they Form
The formation of these skin impressions is usually caused by a rapid production of a series of glucocorticoid hormones. These invasive substances prevent the skin from forming collagen and elastin fibers as it usually would. This causes the unfortunate the prevention of the body’s ability to preserve the youthfulness of the skin
This lack of elasticity support is what leads to the tearing of the top and/or second layers of skin. If both layers of skin are damaged in this way, this problem cannot be corrected with laser surgery.
Concerns
Many people question whether or not tears like this that occur in many people for different reasons are a major health risk. The good news is there is an answer to this question, and that answer is great news for most people.
The body is still able to regenerate and repair itself, in spite of the appearance of these alterations in the skin’s appearance. Stretch marks do not interrupt daily activity in any way, and they do not cause pain or discomfort.
At the very least they would affect a person’s mental health slightly, because some people think this condition is embarrassing. The plight of this condition is quite comparable to that of teens or women who experience cases of mild to severe chronic acne.
Duration
It is difficult to determine how long stretch marks may be visible. Likewise, the return of these lines also cannot be predicted. However, eating right, exercising, and getting enough sleep at night might help prevent them. This is however not a guarantee.
Removal or Cover-Up
Stretch marks are often removed or eliminated by way of medical surgery, laser treatment, or microabrasion. These procedures are usually administered by a plastic surgeon or dermatologist. These should never be administered in the privacy of one’s own home. Other alternatives are used at home though.
For instance, some people may not want to bother receiving removal treatments for this condition. The main reason for that may be because they know it will go away eventually. Therefore, they may opt instead to find a way to conceal it.
Body make-up or sunless tanning solution is often used for this purpose. People who try this solution will usually test the chosen product on a inconspicuous location of the skin. This will prevent even further embarrassment in case of further skin irritation or allergic reaction.
Also note that artificial or natural tanning is likely to not help at all. In fact, UV rays exposed to skin during tanning procedures and sessions could cause further problems such as skin cancer. Besides, skin pigments of stretch marks usually remain unchanged when tanning.