The vast majority of the fair sex are familiar with the problem of the appearance of stretch marks on the skin. Almost 2/3 of all women report their occurrence in the abdomen, thighs and chest, as a result of sudden weight loss or after breastfeeding. Stretch marks themselves are nothing more than cicatricial changes in the skin caused by microtraumas of its individual fibers.
Exist stretch marks 3 types: small pinkish-pale scars, whitish, shallow filiform strips and cicatricial longitudinal defects of burgundy-blue color, which brighten with time.
Stretch marks are usually localized on the skin of the abdomen, chest and hips, and if there are concomitant hormonal disorders, then on the face. Stretch marks resulting from sudden weight loss are usually located vertically on the body, and those that appear due to endocrine disruptions - horizontally.
Under the influence of a significant stretching of the skin or a violation of hormonal regulation, its elastin and collagen fibers begin to lengthen and thin, which ultimately leads to their internal tears. In those places where the fibers were injured, the connective tissue grows. Stretch marks initially have a purple-pinkish tint, then fade over time and become pearly white. If no measures are taken in time, then after a while they will look like scars. On tanned or dark skin, stretch marks are even more noticeable because pigment does not exist in the connective tissue and it does not tan.
Stretch Marks - Reasons
Stretch marks arise not only due to overstretching of the skin. This is the result of the healing of elastin and collagen fibers after microtrauma (scarring).
Their appearance is usually caused by increased secretion of cortisol, that is, the hormone of the adrenal cortex. Hypersecretion leads to stretching, thinning, and then to rupture of the skin fibers with the appearance of stretch marks.
Also, the causes of rupture of fibers and their subsequent scarring may be poor regenerative ability of the skin or its insufficient elasticity. When internal microtraumas of the fibers occur, scar (connective) tissue grows in the places of their tears.
Stretch marks in the buttocks, chest, hips, or abdomen appear for the following reasons: pregnancy, significant weight fluctuations, or puberty. Athletes, pregnant women and adolescents are also prone to their occurrence, that is, everyone who quickly begins to increase body weight. An important role is also played by heredity if older women have stretch marks in the family. Another reason for their appearance is endocrine system diseases or hormone replacement therapy.
People who take steroid hormones for a long time (prednisone, hydrocortisone, or other hormones of the adrenal cortex) or suffer from Itsenko-Cushing's syndrome may have stretch marks all over their bodies and even on their faces. They are more pronounced in width, length and occupied area on the surface of the body.
Stretch Marks - Symptoms
In young people, bluish-reddish stripes appear on the chest, hips and buttocks, which in most cases are located either radially (on the stomach and mammary glands), or in parallel. Stretch marks are multiple and single. Their width usually ranges from 1 to 6 mm, and the length is from 1 to 10 mm. The clinical picture depends on the morphological properties of the skin, the degree of stretching, concomitant pathology and hormonal background. The color of the striae for several months varies from bright bluish-pink to pearl-whitish. Until six months they are called "young", and after - "old".
Stretch Marks - Diagnosis
Stretch marks themselves are not dangerous, but you still need to understand why they appeared. If the cause is not pregnancy, then it may be an increase in blood pressure, a change in body weight or the appearance of hair on the face, back, chest. In any case, you need to seek the advice of an endocrinologist. For example, to reveal at the early stage the same Itsenko-Cushing's syndrome.
Stretch marks - treatment and prevention
Be sure to contact a beautician. Treatment is carried out depending on the condition of the skin, the size and location of the damage, and the condition of the skin.
It is impossible to completely get rid of stretch marks, but really make them almost invisible. Nowadays, grinding is often used for these purposes, in which the surface layers are removed and the impression of smoothing the skin is created. Therefore, the contrast between striae and other areas of the skin is not so noticeable. Those whose stretch marks are hardly noticeable, you can use special creams, absorbable substances are also suitable. Sometimes a cosmetologist offers mesotherapy.
Gentle treatment takes a rather long period, which can range from 6 months to a year, so this disease is much easier to prevent than to cure.
Stretch marks can be prevented by the use of creams with essential oils, plant extracts, elastin and collagen. From a first-aid kit, olive oil has worked well.
For pregnant women, for the prevention of stretch marks, a contrast shower is well suited, as well as massage with a special brush and the use of special creams.
