White and red stretch marks and the difference between them

White and red stretch marks appear on the body when the skin stretches or contracts rapidly.

They usually start as bands of lines that run through the skin, and are very common, with about 90% affected people.

The dermatologists at the Freshness Center for Dermatology, Cosmetic and Laser in Hurghada offer the best modern treatments to get rid of these marks.

And we will learn in this article about the causes of the appearance of stretch marks, and how to get rid of them?

What are the white and red stretch marks?

Known as a form of harmless scarring on the skin, these marks have a discolored hue and occur when the skin changes shape.

They can usually appear on body parts such as the breasts, buttocks, or arms as the skin stretches rapidly and causes a tear in the dermis (the middle layer of the skin).

This condition begins with the appearance of red or purple marks on the areas where the skin is stretched, and they appear as different tissues.

It turns white or silver over time.

Causes of the appearance of stretch marks?

It is caused by two main reasons: skin tightening as well as an increase in cortisone in your system.

Cortisone is a hormone that is naturally produced by the adrenal gland, however having too much of it can cause the skin to lose elasticity.

White and red stretch marks may become more common in certain circumstances where:

• Many women struggle during pregnancy as the skin stretches in different ways to make room for the developing fetus.
• It can appear as a result of sudden or rapid changes in weight.
• It may appear during puberty, and it affects both men and women.
• It can happen to people who gained muscle or fat faster.
• It forms in teens when they go through the growth spurts of puberty.

Infection risk factors

• May grow larger when corticosteroids are used for longer than 2 weeks.
• You have a family history of white and red stretch marks.
• You have a history of giving birth to large children and twins.
• It tends to be more visible in people with darker skin.
• Exposure to breast augmentation surgery.
• The incidence is higher in younger, higher-weight women during pregnancy than in older, lower-weight pregnant women.

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Symptoms of stretch marks

The appearance of white and red stretch marks depends on a range of variables including:

• Natural skin color.
• Skin health and elasticity.
• The affected part of the body.

Symptoms of stretch marks include:

• Lines appear on the skin of varying length and width.
• The marks appear to be thin and shiny on the skin.
• You may feel itchy and irritated before these signs appear.

You should contact a nutritionist at a freshness center if you notice unusual symptoms such as:

• Abnormal weight gain.
• The skin appears tender and bruised easily after various injuries.
• Muscle weakness and constant feeling of tiredness.

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Stretch marks diagnosis

The dermatologist at Freshness Center for Dermatology, Cosmetic and Laser in Hurghada can determine if you have these signs through a physical examination.

Also review your medical history, as some health conditions may contribute to signs, including:

•  Endocrine disorders such as Cushing's syndrome Cushing's syndrome.
• Chronic liver disease.
• Marfan syndrome Marfan syndrome.
• Anorexia.

Our experts recommend several tests such as blood, urine, or imaging to help find the underlying cause of the injury.

The difference between white and red stretch marks

• red stretch marks

Red marks appear only on the skin and are newly formed, in the form of scars through blood vessels.

This is where the red color comes from as a result of organic pollutants, and the marks at this point can be quickly healed by restoring collagen by applying topical creams.

Treatments such as pulsed dye give great results in terms of cell renewal and scar fading.

• white stretch marks

Known as the most severe scars that appear on the skin, which are small cracks, and they are known as white striae.

Constriction of blood vessels, making it difficult to stimulate collagen production

White marks on the body persist for a long time, but they cannot be treated with topical creams.

But other treatments can help improve texture and give the skin a better appearance.

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Ways to prevent white and red stretch marks

White and red stretch marks are part of normal growth, and some may go away on their own.

Some suggestions that can help prevent infection include:

• Moisturizing

Some research suggests that moisturizers can reduce or eliminate the appearance of stretch marks.

It is recommended to gently massage the moisturizer into the mark over a period of several weeks.

• Use a self-tanning lotion

This is a temporary method to reduce the difference in color between your typical skin tone and the color of your stretch marks.

• Eat a balanced and healthy diet

You may be advised to eat foods that contain omega-3 fatty acids, as they contribute to maintaining the suppleness and freshness of the skin.

You can also get skin-boosting vitamin D through moderate exposure to sunlight.

Eat plenty of vegetables, fruits, and some supplements that contain vitamins A, C, E, and zinc.

• Exercising regularly, even during pregnancy.

• Use of sunscreen

Excessive exposure to the sun's UV rays damages the skin's collagen, so use a sunscreen that is appropriate for your skin every day.

It should be applied 30 minutes before exposure to the sun to absorb well, and then reapply at least every two hours while spending time in the sun.

• Avoid smoking

Smoking reduces blood flow to the skin, depriving it of the oxygen it needs to repair itself.

In addition, it also depletes the body of nutrients that the skin needs to stay healthy.

It increases the release of harmful free radicals that damage elastin or collagen fibres.

All of this increases the risk of developing stretch marks, so you should stop smoking immediately.

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Stretch marks treatment

If prevention methods aren't enough or satisfactory for you, and you don't want to wait any longer, there are treatments that can help improve its appearance.

The dermatologists at the Freshness Center for Dermatology, Aesthetics and Laser in Hurghada provide more instructions on ways to get rid of white and red stretch marks.

The following treatments may help reduce their appearance:

• Tretinoin cream

It is known as a synthetic version of vitamin A, which works to restore collagen.

This cream is best used on recent red or pink marks.

May cause skin irritation, so it should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding.

• hyaluronic acid cream

It helps to treat safely and effectively when applied consistently, every day on early stretch marks.

• laser treatment

The laser delivers a focused light onto the skin, and depending on the type of laser used, the treatment can have the ability to increase collagen production.

This contributes to the elimination of white and red stretch marks, and requires several sessions to eliminate them permanently.

Laser treatments are also used to reduce skin texture and redness caused by scarring, so they are among the best treatments for improving the appearance of stretch marks.

• Micro Peeling

Microdermabrasion involves gently removing dead cells to cleanse the skin using a specially designed portable wand.

This type of peeling helps to get rid of stretch marks in better ways than home remedies.

• Microneedling

It happens through a device that creates tiny pricks in the skin, then causes the production of collagen and elastin, which helps tighten sagging skin.

Micro-needles penetrate deeper into the skin to target the skin's healing function more effectively and safely.

This method helps in unifying the skin tone and treating the affected tissue with stretch marks.

• chemical peeling

Includes an acid mode like glycolic Glycolic on the surface of the skin, provides deep exfoliation of the skin.

• excimer laser

This device stimulates and reactivates the skin cells.

In the end, after we got acquainted with the white and red stretch marks and the reasons for the appearance of each, the Freshness Center in Hurghada is honored to receive patients to get rid of them.