What are stretch marks? How can they be treated? Discover the answers to these questions and more in our in-depth article.

Understanding Stretch Marks: The Basics

Stretch marks are fine lines or streaks that develop in the skin when it undergoes rapid growth or expansion, often during puberty, pregnancy, or significant weight gain or loss. They occur when the normal production of collagen, the primary protein that makes up the skin’s connective tissue, is disrupted by the skin’s overstretching. As a result, the skin can develop these distinct marks that may initially appear reddish, purplish, or indented.

Who is Prone to Developing Stretch Marks?

Stretch marks are a common occurrence during puberty for most individuals. Obesity, bodybuilding, and the use of certain steroid-containing topical or oral medications can also increase the likelihood of developing stretch marks. Individuals who experience rapid weight gain or growth, such as during pregnancy or adolescence, are particularly susceptible to these skin changes.

Can Stretch Marks Be Prevented?

While there is no surefire way to completely prevent the formation of stretch marks, certain measures can be taken to minimize their appearance. Maintaining a healthy, gradual weight gain during pregnancy, staying hydrated, and using moisturizing creams may help reduce the risk of stretch marks developing. However, it’s important to note that some factors, such as genetics and hormonal changes, are beyond an individual’s control and can still lead to the formation of stretch marks.

Treating Stretch Marks: Effective Strategies

If you’re concerned about the appearance of your stretch marks, there are several treatment options available. Dermatologists and plastic surgeons can recommend prescription creams, microdermabrasion, or laser treatments to help reduce the visibility of existing stretch marks. While these treatments can be effective, they are often not recommended for teenagers as their skin is still developing, and new stretch marks may still appear. The most practical approach is often to be patient and allow the marks to fade naturally over time.

Camouflaging Stretch Marks: Practical Tips

If you’d like to make your stretch marks less noticeable, there are a few strategies you can try. Using sunless self-tanning products can help blend the marks with your skin tone, although regular tanning or tanning beds are not recommended as they can make the marks more prominent. Applying body makeup that matches your skin tone can also help cover up the appearance of stretch marks. Wearing clothing with more coverage, such as board shorts or rash guards, can also be an effective way to conceal stretch marks on the buttocks, thighs, and chest.

Accepting and Embracing Stretch Marks

While it’s understandable to want to reduce the appearance of stretch marks, it’s important to remember that they are a natural part of the body’s growth and development. Many people find that over time, they become less noticeable and less of a concern. Ultimately, the most important thing is to be kind to yourself and embrace the unique qualities that make you who you are.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can stretch marks be removed completely?
While certain treatments can help reduce the appearance of stretch marks, they cannot be removed completely. The best approach is often to be patient and allow the marks to fade naturally over time.

Do stretch marks always indicate a health issue?
No, stretch marks are a normal part of the body’s growth and development, especially during puberty and pregnancy. They are not necessarily an indication of a health problem.

Can stretch marks be prevented during pregnancy?
While there is no surefire way to prevent stretch marks during pregnancy, maintaining a healthy, gradual weight gain and using moisturizing creams may help minimize their appearance.

Are there any home remedies that can help with stretch marks?
While many home remedies and over-the-counter products claim to reduce the appearance of stretch marks, the effectiveness of these treatments is often limited. The best approach is to be patient and allow the marks to fade naturally over time.

Stretch Marks (for Teens) – Nemours KidsHealth

en español: Estrías

Reviewed by: Melanie L. Pitone, MD

What Are Stretch Marks?

Stretch marks are fine lines in the skin that happen when quick growth or weight gain stretches the skin (like during puberty). Skin is usually fairly stretchy, but when it’s overstretched, the normal production of collagen (the major protein that makes up the tissue in skin) is disrupted. As a result, the skin can develop stretch marks.

At first, stretch marks may show up as reddish or purplish lines that can look indented and have a different texture from the skin around them. Stretch marks often turn lighter and almost disappear over time.

Who Gets Stretch Marks?

Stretch marks are a normal part of puberty for most people. People who are obese often have stretch marks. Bodybuilders can get stretch marks because of the quick body changes that can come with bodybuilding. People who use steroid-containing skin creams or ointments (such as hydrocortisone) for more than a few weeks also may get stretch marks. So might people who have to take high doses of oral corticosteroids for months or longer.

How Can I Get My Stretch Marks to Go Away?

A
dermatologistor plastic surgeon are doctors who can help treat stretch marks. They specialize in caring for the skin. To reduce the appearance of stretch marks, they might use prescription creams, microdermabrasion, and laser treatment. But doctors don’t usually recommended these for teens because they’re still growing. So new stretch marks might appear and existing ones will probably fade a bit over time. Also, these treatments can be expensive and usually are not covered by insurance.

How Can I Make Stretch Marks Less Noticeable?

Here are some things to consider if you want to make stretch marks less noticeable:

• Some people find that sunless self-tanners can help cover up stretch marks. This isn’t true with regular tanning or tanning beds, though: Stretch marks are less likely to tan so may end up looking more obvious. Plus, the sun and tanning beds do more harm than good when it comes to the long-term health of your skin.
• Try using body makeup matched to your skin tone to cover stretch marks.
• Wear board shorts or rash guards. Bathing suits with more coverage work well for hiding stretch marks on the buttocks, upper thighs, and chest.

Many creams and other skin products claim to get rid of stretch marks, but the truth is that most don’t work and are costly. Usually, the best thing to do is be patient because stretch marks often fade with time. If they still bother you when you’re an adult, you can ask your doctor or see a specialist for treatment.

Reviewed by: Melanie L. Pitone, MD

Date reviewed: November 2020

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Stretch Marks – Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital

Home | Patients and Families | Health Library | Stretch Marks

Stretch marks are a normal part of puberty for most girls and guys. When a person grows or gains weight really quickly (like during puberty), that person may get fine lines on the body called stretch marks.

Stretch marks happen when the skin is pulled by rapid growth or stretching. Although the skin is usually fairly elastic, when it’s overstretched, the normal production of collagen (the major protein that makes up the connective tissue in your skin) is disrupted. As a result, scars called stretch marks may form.

If you’re noticing stretch marks on your body, you’re not alone. Most girls and women have them, usually on their breasts, thighs, hips, and butt. Many women get them during pregnancy. Stretch marks are more common in girls, but guys can get them, too.

People who are obese often have stretch marks. Bodybuilders are prone to getting stretch marks because of the rapid body changes that can go with bodybuilding. People who use steroid-containing skin creams or ointments (such as hydrocortisone) for more than a few weeks may also get stretch marks. So might people who have to take high doses of oral corticosteroids for months or longer.

At first, stretch marks may show up as reddish or purplish lines that can look indented and have a different texture from the skin around them. Stretch marks often turn lighter and almost disappear over time.

Making Them Less Noticeable

Here are some things to consider if you want to make stretch marks less noticeable:

• Some people find that sunless self-tanners can help cover up stretch marks. This isn’t true with regular tanning or tanning beds, though: Stretch marks are less likely to tan so may end up looking more obvious. Plus, the sun and tanning beds do more harm than good when it comes to the long-term health of your skin.
• Try using body makeup matched to the tone of your skin to cover stretch marks. Although some manufacturers make these cover-up products water-resistant, makeup may not be the best solution if you’ll be spending a lot of time in the water.
• Wear board shorts or rash guards. Bathing suits with more coverage are popular with many athletes because they protect against the sun and don’t ride up when a person moves. But these suit styles also work well for hiding stretch marks on the buttocks, upper thighs and chest.

Tons of creams and other skin products on the market claim to get rid of stretch marks, but the truth is that most don’t work and are costly.

You can’t make stretch marks go away completely without the help of a

dermatologist
 or plastic surgeon. These doctors may use one of many types of treatments — from actual surgery to techniques like microdermabrasion and laser treatment — to reduce the appearance of stretch marks.

These techniques are expensive and are not usually covered by insurance. Doctors don’t usually recommended them for teens because they’re not done growing so new stretch marks might appear and existing ones will probably lessen over time.

Note: All information is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice, diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor.

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Stretch marks – the whole truth – articles from the specialists of the clinic “Mother and Child”

Brezgunova Svetlana Leonidovna

Obstetrician-gynecologist

Clinic “Mother and Child” Togliatti

What is it

Stretch marks are also called striae. They appear in any area of ​​the body, but more often occur in those places where there is a large amount of fat. The most common locations are chest, abdomen, underarms, shoulders, hips, back and buttocks.

Stretch marks look like stripes on the skin, and over time their color changes. “Fresh” stretch marks are pinkish-red in color, the skin on them is slightly convex. Gradually, the striae increase in length and width, become bluish-violet, and eventually become discolored. This happens because at first there are still blood vessels inside the striae, which is why initially the stretch marks have such a bright color. Then the blood supply at the site of the stretch marks stops, the vessels become empty, the resulting skin defect is filled with connective tissue and the stretch marks become white. Since there is no pigment in the connective tissue, even under the influence of sunlight, the stretch marks remain white. Moreover, against the background of tanned skin, they become more noticeable.

Why they occur

It seems that the reason for the appearance of stretch marks during pregnancy is clear at first glance: the expectant mother’s belly grows, the skin stretches, and stretch marks form. Why, then, do they not occur in all expectant mothers? And is their appearance associated with weight gain? After all, it has been noticed, for example, that the likelihood of stretch marks does not depend on the size of the abdomen during pregnancy.

Stretch marks may appear in a woman with a small tummy, while a woman expecting twins will bypass this problem.

Why is this happening? Several factors come into play here. Yes, indeed, one of the reasons for the appearance of stretch marks is weight gain, but it is not so much the number of kilograms gained that is important, but how quickly a woman gained them: the faster the expectant mother gains weight, the higher the risk of stretch marks. That is why even with a small increase in weight, stretch marks can appear. The second reason for stretch marks is hormonal imbalance. During pregnancy, the amount of estrogen and cortisol decreases, resulting in a violation of the synthesis of skin and connective tissue proteins – collagen and elastin. Namely, with the help of these proteins, our skin can stretch well and restore its elasticity.

If there is not enough collagen and elastin, then the skin becomes brittle and thins faster, eventually, it breaks in some areas, and then scar connective tissue is formed in the places of tears .

And here is how the body of the expectant mother will behave during pregnancy: whether there will be sharp jumps in weight and hormonal imbalance (which means that stretch marks will appear or not, it is impossible to predict).

What to do?

Let’s just say that There is no 100% effective treatment for and prevention of stretch marks. For example, most creams, lotions, gels for the prevention of stretch marks simply contain moisturizing ingredients and help soften the skin, but do not affect the balance of hormones. Therefore, these remedies cannot prevent the appearance of stretch marks if hormonal disorders have occurred. Yes, and after childbirth, various laser procedures, peelings and resurfacing will not get rid of stretch marks at all, they will simply make them more invisible.

But this does not mean that we should give up and do nothing. You can do just a lot of things: even if you do not achieve a 100% effect, there will still be benefits.

– Monitor the nutrition of the and avoid sudden weight fluctuations. Do not forget to eat protein foods – protein, together with zinc and vitamin C, stimulates the production of collagen, which gives the skin elasticity. If you don’t feel like meat yet, include fish, dairy products and legumes in your diet – these are also sources of healthy protein.

– Avoid sweets – sugar slows down collagen renewal, the skin loses elasticity and water, becomes dry, sluggish, its elasticity decreases.

– From the first days of pregnancy constantly nourish and moisturize the skin . To do this, use creams, gels, lotions with collagen, elastin, as well as vitamins C and E . The main thing is that these drugs must be approved for use during pregnancy. Before you buy this or that product, carefully read the instructions and the composition of the drug. Find out the mechanism of action of biologically active substances of a cosmetic product from a sales assistant. If you still have doubts, consult with your obstetrician-gynecologist. Look into your wallet and make a choice.

– If finances allow, do salon procedures for body moisturizing that are allowed during pregnancy (seaweed wraps, for example), if not, limit yourself to ordinary skin moisturizing, it is also effective.

– Regularly take a contrast shower : it tones and firms the skin, and the problem areas receive the blood flow they need. You can massage individual parts of the body alternately with cold and warm jets. Just don’t aim the jet directly at your stomach.

– After showering, don’t dry your body, just pat it dry with a towel. You can do light pinching self-massage using moisturizing creams or natural vegetable oils (such as olive or linseed). Massage promotes the removal of excess fluid and activates the work of blood vessels – they quickly carry nutrients throughout the body. Important: when massaging the abdomen and chest, massage only the sides, thighs and legs.

– Swim : the contrast of water and air temperature, active physical activity also contribute to the prevention of stretch marks.

– During pregnancy , wear special bras, they will support the enlarged breasts and will not allow the skin to overstretch.

Even if stretch marks appear, don’t get upset. It has been noticed that if you immediately start a set of preventive measures (moisturizing the skin, proper nutrition, water procedures), then often stretch marks do not spread further. And if you start prevention from the first days of pregnancy, they may not appear at all.

REMINDER for moms

Start attacking stretch marks as early as possible: the younger they are, the less money and time it will take to eliminate them.

1. Watch your diet, try not to gain weight suddenly.
2. Daily moisturize and nourish the skin, not only the abdomen and chest, but also the thighs, buttocks, legs.
3. Lead an active lifestyle: walk in the fresh air, play sports, swim.
4. Take a contrast shower, do self-massage.
5. Wear the right underwear: a maternity bra is especially necessary for expectant mothers with large breasts

Note:

Stretch marks cannot be predicted. Even if during the last pregnancy there were no or, on the contrary, there were stretch marks, then there is no guarantee that the situation will repeat itself in the next pregnancy

You can make a composition for stretch marks yourself.

Here are the oils that will suit you:

• Jojoba oil is the most effective remedy: it is used for the prevention and elimination of skin stretch marks during and after pregnancy, as well as for weight gain and sudden weight loss.
• Essential oil of rosewood – helps to increase skin elasticity, also helps to dissolve small scars.
• Almond oil – especially effective for the care of areas of the body where skin elasticity is reduced.
• Grape seed oil – has a strong regenerating effect, improves skin elasticity.
• Peach oil – has a regenerating, softening effect on the skin, restores elasticity, rejuvenates sagging skin.

You can use any combination of these oils, such as jojoba + almond oil, or jojoba + grape seed oil.

Before using any oil, read the instructions, pay attention to contraindications. Try the oil or formulation on a small area of ​​your skin and see how it reacts throughout the day. If you experience discomfort or allergies, discard this remedy.

Make an appointment

to the doctor – Brezgunova Svetlana Leonidovna

Clinic “Mother and Child” Tolyatti

PregnancyPregnancy managementGynecologyChildren’s hospitalPregnancy diaryOperative childbirthPregnancy planningPreparation for operative childbirthPreparation for partner childbirthBaby care programMom’s school programsSchedule of childbirthPhysiological pregnancyFitness for pregnant women

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How to captivate children with stretching? – European Gymnastics Center

Trainer of the European Gymnastics Center Lokomotiv Anastasia Dolzhenkova talks about the benefits of stretching for children, and how to make this part of the workout enjoyable and interesting.

“Stretching has many health benefits for children. It improves the elasticity of muscles and ligaments, strengthens muscles and articular ligaments, forms the correct posture, gait, increases the range of motion, thereby reducing the risk of injury, removes stiffness in the body, relieves physical and mental overwork, which is especially characteristic of school children. For girls, good flexibility is also grace and plasticity.

Doctors prescribe general developmental exercises for flexibility to children from infancy as exercise therapy. For example, back riding on a fitball, stretching your arms back; hanging on straight arms, holding the hands of a doctor / parent; lying on your back bend back with an emphasis on straight arms.

As the child grows older, the exercises gradually become more difficult. In training, we do stretching with children, even in the youngest group, but, of course, these exercises are not at all associated with strong and painful stretching of the splits, as in rhythmic gymnastics or ballet. In general, it is important to note that at our Center we only give children the intensity of stretching that is good for their health. In professional sports, on the contrary, excessive stretching can lead to musculoskeletal disorders.

Since flexibility exercises require patience and perseverance, they are the least popular among children. Although some children, on the contrary, love twine. But these are mostly those who have good muscle elasticity from birth.

But, despite the complexity of stretching, it is of great benefit and cannot be avoided in training. In order to make this process the least painful and interesting, we use various game methods.

The first way is to distract children’s attention with the help of associations and talking about topics that are interesting to them. For example, when we pull a straight twine, we say that we are building a house for a dog. When we make bends in the fold, we make pies, when we make a bridge, we build a bridge for cars, and when we do the “ring”, we reach for the sun, resting on our hands like a cat, etc. You can think of anything.

The second way is to perform exercises with objects: balls, cubes, jump ropes.

The third way is flexibility exercises on gymnastic modules and a combination of stretching with other tasks so that the child can switch attention.

Also, trainers choose an individual dosage of exercises, since flexibility is an innate quality that varies from person to person. Some children are able to sit on the twine without much effort and pain, others have to work hard on stretching in order to achieve even the slightest change. The manifestation of flexibility depends on the anatomical structure of the joints, the elasticity of muscles and ligaments, muscle tone, age, the general functional state of the body, and external conditions.

Some more important stretching rules for children:

In younger children, we do not perform stretching that causes pain, since the articular apparatus is not yet fully formed.