Causes of stretch marks and ways to treat them

If stretch marks appear on your body, and they cause you discomfort and lack of self-confidence, do not worry, we have the solution.

You can consult dermatologists at the Freshness Center for Dermatology, Aesthetics and Laser in Hurghada in order to obtain the appropriate treatment.

In this article, we will learn about the causes of these marks on the skin, and what are their symptoms? And the different ways to prevent infection?

What are stretch marks?

Stretch marks are long, narrow lines that appear on the skin. They occur when the skin suddenly stretches and are very common.

Anyone can get it, but it tends to affect women more than men.

This type of scar occurs when the skin cannot resume its normal shape after a period of intense growth, and it is not dangerous.

Areas that are more prone to these signs include:

• The abdomen.
• The chest.
• Thighs.
• waist.
• buttocks;

Causes of the appearance of stretch marks

The skin consists of three main layers, and marks on the skin form in the dermis, or middle layer, when connective tissue stretches beyond the limits of its elasticity.

Connecting fibers in the dermis stretch slowly to accommodate slow growth, however rapid growth leads to sudden stretching.

 The dermis ruptures as a result, allowing deeper layers of skin to emerge.

Excessive growth or contraction of the skin can cause these lines and marks. Common causes of stretched skin include:

•  During pregnancy

About 50% to 90% pregnant women develop stretch marks on their bodies during or after pregnancy. 

These signs are especially common during the last three months of pregnancy, and become less noticeable 6 to 12 months after delivery.

• puberty

Stretch lines can appear in young adults going through puberty, due to rapid growth, but it is normal.

• overweight

The skin is stretched as a result of significant weight gain in a short period of time.

• medical conditions

Infection with some diseases leads to the appearance of marks and lines in the skin, such as Marfan syndrome

Marfan syndrome and Cushing's Syndrome.

Marfan syndrome causes decreased elasticity of skin tissue, while Kuching It causes the body to secrete a lot of the hormone, which leads to rapid weight gain and weak skin.

Some other conditions lead to the appearance of stretch marks in the skin, such as chronic liver disease, anorexia nervosa.

• Prolonged use of some creams

Frequent use of certain types of preparations, such as those containing corticosteroids, can cause the skin to stretch.

These substances reduce collagen levels in the skin, which strengthens and protects it.

• Increased levels of cortisone

The elastic fibers in the skin are weakened when using creams containing cortisone, which converts into cortisol (the hormone released when stressed by the adrenal gland).

This eventually works on the appearance of stretch marks.

You can also read : Know skin defects and get rid of them.

Infection risk factors

A number of risk factors are associated with the development of stretch marks including:

• family history
• chronic diseases.
• Increased BMI before pregnancy.
• Baby weight gain during pregnancy.

These findings may be explained by the significant degrees of skin tightening, age-related changes, and connective tissues that influence the likelihood of developing aneurysms.

Symptoms of stretch marks

The appearance of these signs depends on a set of changes such as:

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

The skin can appear thin and pink before stretch marks begin to appear, and the affected person may also feel irritated or itchy.

The marks initially develop as raised, wrinkled streaks that can be red, purple or dark brown.

The streaks eventually fade, are flat, and tend to change to a silver color over time.

Stretch marks may gradually become less noticeable, but this takes a lot of time.

You can also read : Vitamin E and its uses for the skin.

Diagnosis

Stretch marks can be easily diagnosed by dermatologists at Nudra Dermatology, Cosmetic and Laser Center in Hurghada.

This occurs based on a skin examination, a review of the patient's medical history, and a doctor usually asks some questions according to the symptoms.

You should tell your doctor about any medications you are taking or any medical conditions you have.

You may be asked to have blood, urine or imaging tests to help find the underlying cause.

Don't worry, stretch marks aren't dangerous or harmful, and they don't cause health problems. Except in rare cases, they may indicate a medical problem that requires treatment or prevention.

Ways to prevent the appearance of stretch marks

It is not always possible to prevent stretch marks, however the following steps may help reduce the risk and include:

• Maintain a healthy weight.
• Follow a balanced diet rich in vitamins, especially vitamin A and C, which contribute to the support of the skin.
• Eat foods that contain minerals such as zinc and silicon.
• Slow and gradual weight gain should be considered during pregnancy.
• Drink 6 to 8 glasses of water daily.
• Do regular exercise.

There are some moisturizing creams or oils that you can use on the skin to help prevent stretch marks.

You can use a self-tanning lotion, which works to reduce the difference in color between your typical skin tone and the color of stretch marks.

You can also read : Cryotherapy sessions and their benefits.

When do you see a dermatologist?

Marks occur naturally on the skin, but you should tell your dermatologist at a freshness center if you notice the following:

• Unexplained weight gain.
• The skin appears thin and heals slowly after injuries.
• Muscle weakness and tired feeling.
• general feeling of malaise;

Stretch marks and their treatment

If you want to get rid of stretch marks and improve its appearance, just consult a specialist.

The dermatologist at Nudra Skin, Cosmetic and Laser Center in Hurghada can provide you with more options to reduce these signs.

Various treatment methods include:

• tretinoin cream 

Also known as Retin-A, Renova, it restores collagen (a fibrous protein that helps give your skin elasticity).

This cream should be used on recent stretch marks that have a red or pink appearance.

It may cause skin irritation. If you are pregnant, do not use it during this period.

• hyaluronic acid cream

It is safe to use, and its regular application to early signs helps prevent their appearance and disappearance effectively.

• Pulsed dye laser treatment

Dermatologists at the Freshness Center for Dermatology, Cosmetic and Laser in Hurghada use this type of treatment to help increase collagen secretion andelastin.

• partial pyrolysis

The laser is used to target small areas of the skin. It works similarly to a pigment laser treatment, with less potential for skin damage.

• skin peeling

This involves polishing the skin with tiny crystals to reveal new skin under the more pliable marks, and may help improve older marks.

• Excimer laser treatment

It stimulates the production of skin color (melanin) so that the marks match the surrounding skin better.

These treatments can cause some side effects such as swelling, skin irritation, and redness, so you should follow your doctor's instructions after treatment ends.

Finally, if you feel uncomfortable about the stretch marks on your body, you can consult dermatologists at the Freshness Center for Dermatology, Aesthetics and Laser in Hurghada.