Stretch Marks - Info on Stretch Marks Symptom, Causes & Treatment

Dealing with stretch marks: As a small child grows, his weight and height increases; so the skin has to stretch to accommodate this gradual, albeit massive increasein mass. At times, especially when there is a spurt in the growth, the growth of the skin fails to cope up with the growth of the body; the stretch then forces the elastic fibres in the skin to rupture, resulting in stretch marks or striae. These marks can develop at any time of life, but there are two occasions when they are particularly likely to develop:

1. During the adolescent growth spurt, about half of all children develop stretch marks. Marks usually show up in parts of the body where the elastic fibres of the skin are put under the greatest stress. Varying in length, they are pink to start with and invariably fade to white scars as years go by; they finally become wrinkled and papery and are then barely perceptible. Adolescent boys usually develop striae on their backs, buttocks and abdomen, while girls develop the marks on their breasts as well.

2. Women also develop stretch marks on the tummy and breasts during pregnancy.

Though there is no certain way to prevent stretch marks from developing, scores of preparations are available in the market, all claiming to do just this; many of these contain exotic additives like collagen, vitamin A and allantoin. These creams are as good as, or as bad as plain moisturising creams inpreventing stretch marks and nothing better. Gentle exercising of the abdominal muscles is suggested as a way to prevent stretch marks during pregnancy. Stretch marks on the breasts can be minimized by wearing a good maternity bra.

Once the marks have developed, the most effective way to deal with them is by using a camouflage cream. Most times, however, this is not required because these marks are on parts of the body which are generally covered. Many patients want to know about the efficacy of surgery. Surgery is definitely not advised, because the scars of surgery may eventually be more noticeable. Also although they rarely disappear entirely, stretch marks usually fade as years go by. So it is really best to leave stretch marks alone and allow time to be the true healer.

What are the symptom of Stretch Marks ?

Following are the symptoms of stretch marks:

1) red lines on the skin that are slightly raised

2) pink, reddish brown, or dark brown

3) Stretch marks generally appear in parallel lines

4) The skin is thin and silvery and often looks scar-like

What Causes Stretch Marks ?

Following are the causes of Stretch Marks

• Rapid weight gain
• growth of body
• exercise
• Overweight
• Obesity
• Pregnancy
• Childbirth

Stretch Marks Treatment

There is no full treatment for stretch marks although there are various methods that claim to remove them, including laser treatments, dermabrasion, and topical applications. The only reliable treatment for already-existing stretch marks is surgery. While several topical applications exist, they are only effective in fading the stretch marks; they do not cause stretch marks to completely disappear.

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