The Fastest Way To Remove Stretch Marks
Sunday, June 27th, 2010Many claim that it is impossible to remove stretch marks unless they are treated surgically. There is some truth to this especially if the scars are quite old and deep. Fortunately, modern medicine and science have come up with wonder creams that are able to reduce the appearance of such unsightly marks without having to expose oneself to surgery, which is undoubtedly risky and quite expensive.
Stretch marks does not usually pose as a medical problem but they can be quite embarassing. It is one of the top 5 causes of embarrassment and anxiety for women. Unfortunately, stretch marks are a part of life. In fact, 80% of women who get pregnant will get them after giving birth. Some moms even call these marks their “badge of honor”.
Before we can begin to treat these embarrassing and unsightly marks, it would be best to understand what causes them in the first place. There are 3 layers of the skin – the outer layer, which is called the epidermis, and the layers underneath: dermis and the subcutaneous fat. The thickest layer of the skin is not the epidermis as most of us think. The skin is mostly make up of the dermis and subcutaneous fat layers. The dermis is where all the blood vessels on the skin are located and is composed mainly of collagen and microscopic elastic fibers.
Stretch marks are scars that are not formed on the outer layer of the skin but instead they are tears or damages that are located in the dermis. When the skin is stretched beyond its elasticity limit, collagen and the elastic fibers tear leaving the epidermis intact. If the scars were formed in the epidermis, it would be easier to treat. But since they happen in the deeper layer of the skin, these scars can be quite stubborn and sometimes even permanent. Scars on the epidermis can easily heal or can be treated by topical medicated creams. Damage caused in the dermis of the skin, on the other hand, is more difficult to treat since not all creams and its components are able to penetrate the outer layer of the skin in order to reach the underlying dermis layer.
Skin is naturally elastic; however, it can only stretch so far so fast. During pregnancy, spurt growth, sudden weight gain and weight loss, bodybuilding and the likes, the skin is stretched to accommodate the sudden change of volume of the body. However, more often times that not, these occurrences stretch the skin beyond its limit causing the collagen in the dermis to get separated and even torn. At first, you will notice a striation and purplish discoloration of the affected area. At first, the lines may look purple in color. After a while, though, the discoloration will lighten to silvery lines. Unless you do something to try to remove stretch marks, do not expect it to go away on its own.
Of course, the best way to keep your skin from having stretch marks is through prevention. Keeping a healthy diet and not allowing your body to undergo sudden weight changes will keep those stretch marks away. It is also vital to keep the body amply hydrated by drinking lots of water. Always moisturize your skin especially when pregnant. Of course, when pregnant, it would be impossible to keep the stomach from expanding. So make sure that you apply moisturizing creams to the stomach area twice a day. The application of cocoa butter cream has been proven to effectively keep the skin from scarring by at least 90%. And along with moisturizing, make it a habit to exfoliate at least twice a week.
As mentioned earlier, many people believe and it may even be scientifically proven, that it is impossible to remove stretch marks. For old and deep marks, there is some truth to this statement. However, there are creams available in the market today that have proven to eliminate stretch marks that are less than a year old. And the good ones can reduce the appearance of even the deepest and oldest marks to a point that they become almost invisible to the naked eye.
With so many creams for stretch marks advertised and sold in the market today, which of them can effectively remove stretch marks? As mentioned earlier, stretch marks are due to the tearing of the collagen and small fibers in the dermis. Therefore, you have to attack this issue and solve it by enhancing the production of collagen which will increase the density of the small fibers of the skin. To do this you will need to stimulate the production of collagen.
How can you stimulate the production of collagen? With the use of creams that are known to nourish and stimulate the fibroblasts. Fibroblasts are elements of the skin that are responsible for the production of collagen.) Just look for creams that have active ingredients such as Vitamin E, Vitamin A, Alpha Hydroxyl Acids or AHA, cocoa butter, and essential oils. Ask your dermatologist to prescribe stretch mark remover creams that have these ingredient components