How to Treat Stretch Marks

Stretch marks come about as a result of the skin being stretched to the point of breaking down. Think of an elastic band that has lost its ability to stretch out and bounce back again. Generally, this is the result of the skin losing vital substances known as collagen and elastin. This in turn causes the skin to lose its tone while fine lines and wrinkles become more prominent. When there is a loss of collagen and elastin fibres, combined with stretching of the skin, the mark is capable of showing through to the top layer of skin.

Stretch marks tend to occur as a part of the normal course of development. About 70% of women get stretch marks in their teens from growth spurts. The marks can be aggravated by unusually rapid growth spurts, pregnancy and hormones. Stretch marks are actually weaknesses in the supporting structure of the skin, causing layers of it to separate leaving grooves and discoloration. Over time this can result in the white scars that are associated with mature stretch marks.

However all hope is not lost. As a result of asking a few very well informed women in my life, it wasn't long before all possible treatments were uncovered. It should be noted that the information shared seemed to depend upon the woman's age. It was also emphasized that different treatments will work for different people. This being the case since no two individuals will have exactly the same kind of skin.

As mentioned, a young woman is typically going to experience stretch marks as a result of early growth spurts. Some red markings from these spurts may have turned into white marks which are generally associated with more mature marks. This should not cause concern. This is not a sign of the skin prematurely aging. Changes in breast size, which also seem to occur in young women in their early to mid twenties, along with fluctuations in weight, can also cause new marks to form. For a young woman, there is no one magical solution. An underlying consensus amongst the women I spoke with seemed to be that their dermatologists were recommending laser treatments before anything else. However, this may not be cost effective for most young women. That being said, moisturizing is the next most popular option. Keeping the skin supple is critical. Vitamin A-based retinoid lotions are your best bet because they can help rebuild collagen. However, retinoids are not safe for pregnant women and a good substitute is oatmeal based cream.

Women in their 30's who choose to have babies will be more prone to stretch marks. As the body ages it is less able to produce collagen and more difficult to bounce back. If a woman gains more than the recommended 25 to 35 pounds during pregnancy she is more prone to developing red marks. Women in this situation should use a moisturizer with collagen building peptides, which are considered safe for pregnant women.

A high level of quality skin maintenance is critical for a woman as she ages. As a woman gets older, her weight has in all likelihood stabilized so that the creation of new red marks is unlikely. If a woman at this age has white stretch marks, they may begin to appear longer. This is a result of the skin loosening with time. Unfortunately, this is because the skin under the stretch mark is also changing. Skin at this stage will begin to appear more textured instead of smooth and the marks will appear more prevalent.

As noted earlier, a popular recommendation is laser treatment. They can get expensive depending upon exactly what you are looking for. Best to check with a dermatologist before seeking any treatment method especially if you feel as though this is unfamiliar territory.