Stretch marks: causes, prevention. How to get rid of it?

Stretch marks (striae) are linear stripes that appear on the skin in the area of ​​greatest stretching. They are a cosmetic defect.

At first, stretch marks appear pink or purple in color, but over time they become silvery-white and less noticeable.

Modern cosmetology offers a large number of methods for eliminating this cosmetic defect. A cosmetologist or dermatologist will tell you how best to remove stretch marks in your case, taking into account your skin type, age and other important features.

Why do stretch marks appear on the skin?

No specialist can say exactly why stretch marks appear. This problem is most relevant for women due to the structural features of the skin and its sensitivity to hormonal changes that constantly occur in the body.

Striae appear on the body during hormonal changes, with a sharp decrease or increase in body weight, as well as during pregnancy.

Many women know what stretch marks look like at the initial stage, which appear after sudden weight gain or against the backdrop of a growing belly during pregnancy. But it is at this stage that it is necessary to think about the reasons for the appearance of microtraumas of the skin, the healing of which ends with the formation of long scars - stretch marks.

Stretch marks accompany a woman during the period of bearing an unborn child and cause a lot of worries regarding the preservation of beauty and external attractiveness.

As the volume of the abdomen increases, the skin fibers gradually become stretched and damaged due to excessive tension. Vitamin deficiency also worsens the situation, in particular the lack of vitamin C, which is responsible for the production of collagen fibers in the skin.

Striae on the abdomen during pregnancy also appear due to a certain hereditary predisposition (low skin elasticity).

If your mother had stretch marks on her stomach, buttocks or breasts during pregnancy, then stretch marks are more likely to appear on you in the absence of high-quality prevention.

Stretch marks during pregnancy

The most acute problem of stretch marks arises from the beginning of pregnancy.

Firstly, during pregnancy, significant changes occur in a woman’s body at the hormonal level, secondly, she is faced with sudden weight gain, and thirdly, the first two changes lead to another one - the surface layers of the skin are depleted, so it is now especially susceptible to various types of damage.

This creates excellent soil for the occurrence of stretch marks. During pregnancy, the skin of the abdomen stretches, according to the growth of the fetus, and the skin of the breast due to the arrival of milk. In addition, the female body builds up adipose tissue throughout the body as a backup source of nutrition for the fetus, so the likelihood of stretch marks forming is almost 100 percent.

Most often, those parts of the body that increase in volume the most are affected - the abdomen, breasts, thighs, buttocks. Stretch marks are initially pinkish-red in color due to the presence of blood vessels in the connective tissue, but over time they will fade and become less noticeable.

Cosmetics and peelings

Cosmetics, including homemade peels, can be considered products used primarily for the prevention of stretch marks.

Superficial exposure does not remove cicatricial changes in the skin. But with the help of special cosmetic products (creams, oils, suspensions) that can keep the skin elastic and moisturized, it is possible to prevent the appearance of stretch marks.

Women who are planning a pregnancy should take note of this. From the second trimester, you can already treat the skin of the abdomen with special oils and creams, the effect of which is aimed at preventing stretch marks.

The connection between skin stretch marks and hereditary predisposition has been proven. If in your family, predominantly through the female line, there are relatives who have pronounced stretch marks on the skin of the abdomen, chest or thighs, then you should be attentive to yourself and work to get ahead of the problem.

Peels are more effective than creams because they exfoliate the top layer of the epidermis. But they will never completely get rid of stretch marks. It makes sense to use peelings for minor stretch marks.

Stretch marks after childbirth

But after giving birth, the problem of stretch marks will not end; it will remain relevant until the end of the lactation period, especially if you did not take any preventive measures during pregnancy (special tightening underwear, oils, creams, etc.).

Unfortunately, after childbirth, the skin will not return to its original position; it will need time to recover. A means to completely get rid of stretch marks has not yet been invented, but there are many ways to make them almost invisible.

Women are especially concerned about stretch marks on their breasts, which arise due to their natural increase during pregnancy and with the onset of breastfeeding.

The fact is that the skin in this area is very delicate, and changes in its size are especially significant, so there are often many stretch marks and they are pronounced. Moreover, they will become even more noticeable after the end of the lactation period and the breasts return to their normal size.

Laser methods to combat stretch marks

Today, the most effective methods for correcting stretch marks are using laser technology. Laser energy vaporizes pathological tissue without affecting healthy skin.

Laser methods for removing stretch marks include the following:

• fractional thermolysis;
• non-ablative laser treatment;
• laser resurfacing (ablation method).

Fractional thermolysis

Fractional thermolysis allows you to remove stretch marks through targeted laser exposure. As a result, the tissues are smoothed out, a noticeable lifting effect is observed, new collagen fibers are synthesized, and stretch marks gradually disappear.

In this case, the traumatic effect is minimal, long-term rehabilitation after the procedure is not required.

Fractional laser photothermolysis destroys tissue in a microscopic volume. The procedure requires pain relief, and there is a risk of pigment spots and an inflammatory reaction.

The method has a clear rejuvenating effect. It cleanses the skin, rejuvenates, warms and eliminates signs of inflammation, smoothes out fine wrinkles, disinfects, and improves the external characteristics of the skin.

Non-ablative laser treatment

Non-ablative removal of stretch marks is accompanied by deep tissue heating. Neodymium lasers coagulate blood vessels, thereby activating fibroblasts that produce new collagen and elastin fibers.

As a result of using this method, the elasticity of the skin increases, and defective areas are replaced with new tissue.

The non-ablative method of laser stretch mark removal is highly effective and has a quick recovery.

You will not need long rehabilitation measures after such minimally invasive surgical intervention. Soon after the procedure, you will be able to enjoy perfectly smooth skin.

Photos before and after the stretch mark removal process:

Laser resurfacing

Ablative laser treatment is traditional tissue resurfacing. The laser removes the upper cells layer by layer, forming striae, which allows you to even out the relief of the skin and make visible imperfections less noticeable.

After the procedure, the epidermal layers will recover within 1-2 weeks. After the procedure, the cosmetologist will tell you in detail how to care for damaged areas at home to promote active regeneration.

Treatment of stretch marks

Whether stretch marks can be cured completely depends on how long ago they occurred. If they appeared less than a year ago, the chances of giving your skin a healthy look are very high. Unfortunately, old stretch marks cannot be removed 100%.

Modern treatment of striae includes a comprehensive course based on alternation and combination of different techniques. This is a long and painstaking process that involves the use of:

• chemical peeling;
• laser peeling;
• wraps;
• methods of plastic surgery.

At home, women can independently resort to help:

• products that are structural components of the skin and aimed at its rapid restoration;
• drugs that improve circulation in the skin;
• formulations for topical use against stretch marks (ointments, gels, creams, lotions);
• vitamin preparations (vitamins E, A, C, group B are especially important).

Chemical peeling

To make stretch marks disappear, strong acids are applied to the skin, which burn the epidermis and activate the production of its own collagen. During the chemical peeling procedure the following are used:

• phenolic acid;
• trichloroacetic acid;
• alpha hydroxy acids.

The most pronounced effect is produced by phenolic acid, but it has serious side effects. Also, its use is associated with severe pain, so the removal of stretch marks is carried out under anesthesia. This drug is not suitable for people with heart and vascular diseases.

Trichloroacetic and alpha-hydroxy acids do not act as deeply, but require safety precautions.

Laser peeling

Laser peeling to eliminate stretch marks cannot be performed unless the patient undergoes special training. Its essence consists of applying creams that contain a large percentage of ascorbic acid to damaged skin. The procedure itself takes up to one hour and is performed under general anesthesia in a hospital setting.

During laser peeling, the doctor treats stretch marks with a laser beam, due to which they are burned out. The patient is discharged the next day. After laser treatment of stretch marks, swelling and red lesions that resemble burns form on the skin. They need to be lubricated for a long time with a special restoring cream.

Wraps

Thinking about how to remove stretch marks on the thighs, many women decide to take a body wrap course. The option is optimal if stretch marks appeared recently (no later than 6 months ago). Good results can be achieved by thalassotherapy - seaweed wrapping. Spirulina (seaweed) improves skin tone, saturates it with microelements and vitamins.

During the wrap, an algae mask is applied to the body, a film and a thermal blanket are placed on top. Due to heating, beneficial substances penetrate into the deeper layers of the skin more efficiently. Afterwards, wash off the mask with warm water.

Plastic surgery

The most radical and effective method of getting rid of stretch marks on the skin is surgery. During abdominoplasty (tummy tuck), excess skin is excised along with stretch marks. The sutures are removed within 7-10 days. The patient can return to her normal life after 2-3 weeks - it all depends on the individual characteristics of the body.

Like any other surgical intervention, abdominoplasty can lead to purulent complications, the formation of noticeable postoperative scars, and poorly healing wounds.

Contraindications to laser methods

Laser stretch mark removal is effective, but cannot always be used. The method has certain limitations related to health conditions. The procedure is contraindicated during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Specialists do not expose tissue to laser irradiation if the following violations exist.

CONTRAINDICATIONS

1. any inflammatory processes;
2. high body temperature;
3. exacerbation of infectious diseases;
4. malignant neoplasms;
5. exacerbation of skin diseases (atopic dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis), herpetic infection;
6. suspicious nevi, birthmarks with pronounced color (black, dark brown, purple).

A course of laser treatment for striae consists of 2-7 sessions. It is difficult to completely solve the problem in one procedure, since getting rid of old stretch marks can be difficult, especially if they occupy a large surface of the skin.

Several short courses may be required. It is also important to remember about preventive measures. Skin prone to stretch marks, even after their removal, can be injured, and the result of healing of torn fibers will be stretch marks again.

Prevention of stretch marks: is it possible to protect your child from this deficiency?

Yes, you can very well try to prevent the appearance of stretch marks through prevention. Of course, this will be quite problematic if you have a genetic predisposition or a concomitant disease, but you will still significantly reduce your chances if you follow the following tips:

• Monitor your teenager's healthy diet - the diet should be balanced, sufficient, but moderate. Try to avoid excess fat and salt.
• If there are no contraindications, be sure to ensure that the teenager engages in physical activity. If lessons at school do not inspire enthusiasm, you can send your teenager to a sports section in a field of your choice.
• Don't disturb your sleep schedule. During hormonal changes, the body is already in a state of stress, help it with a regime.
• A teenager should receive sufficient amounts of vitamins and minerals.
• Don't forget about fresh air, especially if you live in a metropolis.

Many of the tips may seem quite general, but we ask you to take them as seriously as possible - it is from these foundations that your child’s health is built, brick by brick.

How to care for your skin after laser stretch mark removal

Laser stretch mark removal is recommended during periods of reduced solar activity, when the likelihood of hyperpigmentation is reduced. Doctors also advise following these rules:

1. For the first day, refrain from actively washing your skin.
2. As a result of tissue microtrauma, the risk of pigmentation increases. Therefore, within a month after laser removal of stretch marks, use special cosmetics with a UV filter. This prevents the appearance of age spots and inflammation caused by solar activity. Such cosmetics protect against ultraviolet radiation and minimize the risk of hyperpigmentation. You need to use sunscreen constantly, applying it to your skin 20-30 minutes before going outside.
3. For the first time after using the laser, it is forbidden to visit baths, saunas, make masks, chemical peels, or warm up tissues. High temperature exposure increases the risk of secondary infection and tissue inflammation.
4. It is better to refrain from going to public pools until the skin has completely healed.

Prevention of stretch marks

Prevention of stretch marks is necessary for all pregnant women. Striae appear after the second trimester, when the tissues begin to actively stretch and become injured.

Also, the risk of stretch marks is high in those who take steroid hormones or have chronic endocrine diseases. In such cases, it is better to start using topical stretch marks prevention products early. Active prevention of stretch marks prevents their appearance.

But the means chosen to prevent stretch marks must be safe. Some creams may contain plant extracts and essential oils that increase the tone of the uterus. Before use, you should study the composition and read the instructions included with the product.

Cosmetic compositions strengthen tissues, saturate them with moisturizing components, intensively nourish, allowing the skin to more quickly adapt to active stretching and hormonal changes. These products should be used 2-3 times a day regularly.

Vegetable oils (peach, olive, almond) and oil solutions of vitamins A and E increase tissue extensibility.

One of the important ways to prevent stretch marks is to wear a prenatal bandage to support the growing belly and a special bra.

They do not allow tissues to sag and prevent fiber ruptures, which in the future become striae. The bandage prevents excessive retraction of the growing abdomen and prevents the skin from being damaged.

Useful tips for preventing stretch marks:

1. Don't scratch your skin. When the belly grows during pregnancy, a slight itching appears in the area of ​​tissue stretching. If you actively scratch the skin in this area, small blue scars quickly appear on its surface.
2. Remove abdominal piercings during the first trimester of pregnancy. If this is done for a long time or not done at all, then the tissues above the puncture will begin to stretch and become damaged. As a result, a noticeable vertical scar may remain.
3. Watch your diet. A lack of microelements and vitamins can reduce tissue elasticity and increase the risk of stretch marks and rough scars even after minor scratches and wounds.
4. Prevent sudden weight gain.

Can stretch marks be dangerous?

Stretch marks in adolescents do not pose a danger in themselves, but they can signal the presence of serious problems in the body, including:

• infectious diseases;
• diseases of internal organs;
• injuries (for example, stretch marks may appear when the vertebrae are displaced);
• diabetes;
• Marfan syndrome;
• Itsenko-Cushing's disease.

In fact, the mechanism is simple - the disease affects immunity, hormonal balance, weight, etc. That is, factors that can cause the appearance of stretch marks. Of course, in this case, you will first need to address the main problem and only then think about aesthetic issues.

Question answer

It is not possible to completely get rid of stretch marks with massage. But this procedure has a positive effect on the quality of the skin. You can also do self-massage using products with hyaluronic acid, retinol, and various natural oils.

Most often, stretch marks appear due to a lack of collagen and elastin. The rupture of these fibers leads to the formation of striae. To strengthen them, it is recommended to add foods rich in vitamin C, E, silicon and zinc to your diet.

Stretch marks are scars. Unfortunately, they cannot be removed using cosmetics. Studies have been conducted that have proven that no cream will give a 100% effect. Cosmetics help improve the quality of the skin, but they do not remove stretch marks, but only slightly reduce them. It is recommended to pay attention to creams with vitamins A, C, E.

Expert opinion

• Cosmetologist
• Surgeon

Anna Avaliani

practicing cosmetologist

You shouldn't rely on creams to fight stretch marks. The real effect can only be achieved through cosmetic procedures. Laser resurfacing has proven itself to be excellent. After it, the skin surface becomes smooth and even. But it’s better not to delay going to the cosmetologist. It is easier to remove fresh stretch marks. A good result is also obtained after chemical peeling.

Aisha Baron

plastic surgeon

The best method for removing stretch marks is laser treatment.
No anesthesia is used during the procedure, as it is comfortable for the patient. To achieve the best results, you need to complete a full course. It usually consists of 2-4 sessions. It all depends on the individual characteristics of the person. But not everyone can avoid stretch marks. The more the tissues are stretched, the higher the risk of stretch marks, especially in pregnant women.

Since it is not possible to remove stretch marks on the abdomen using creams and oils alone, it is worth taking a course of laser resurfacing. The laser is most effective in the fight against stretch marks and does not harm health.

Symptoms of stretch marks

Striae in men, adolescents and women have the same appearance. These are always wavy narrow stripes that are localized on the stomach, hips, chest, buttocks and legs, red-bluish or white.

Striae do not lend themselves to tanning. Visually they resemble scars (you can verify this by looking at a photo of stretch marks).

If you experience similar symptoms,
consult your doctor . It is easier to prevent a disease than to deal with the consequences.