Stretch marks are a normal part of growing for many men and women. They can occur during puberty, pregnancy, or rapid muscle or weight gain. Similarly, this type of harmless skin scarring can also cause unexpected weight gain or weight loss.
Stretch marks are not likely to go away on their own. However, there are ways that you can lessen their appearance.
Stretch marks are usually considered a female thing since they are often related to pregnancy. However, these marks are not restricted to any gender.
Men are also prone to abrupt changes in the body, and can as easily get stretch marks. This applies especially to bodybuilders who develop these marks in areas in which they form muscle.
Stretch marks may occur anywhere on the body but they are more common in areas of high subcutaneous fat. It is not possible to get rid of stretch marks in a totally natural way.
What causes stretch marks?
When the skin returns to its normal state (i.e. when it finishes growing), it will appear wrinkled and lined since the same collagen structure underlying does not help it.Stretch marks are created when there is a period of accelerated development of your body, such as growth spurts, breastfeeding, weight gain, or increasing muscle mass, which unexpectedly spreads the skin and allows the bundles of collagen under your skin to break apart. And when the skin returns to its usual state it may appear wrinkled and drawn, since the same collagen structure does not support it.
Fast facts on stretch marks
- Pregnancy, puberty, and rapid weight gain can all cause stretch marks.
- Stretch marks are long, narrow streaks or stripes that occur when the skin is stretched too quickly.
- Stretch marks often fade over time without treatment and do not pose any serious long-term health risks.
- There is little medical evidence available confirming the effectiveness of current treatments for stretch marks.
Can you get rid of stretch marks?
Considering that the cause of stretch marks is actually tearing deep under the skin, it shouldn't come as much of a shock that there's no tried-and-true solution.Many treatments have also been created to get rid of stretch marks and marketed as being successful in doing so. However, in most cases, stretch marks never really completely go away.
It's practically difficult to get rid of 100 percent of the stretch marks, but there are steps you can take to minimize their appearance, namely by reconstructing the collagen in your skin with some excellent OTC products and a good skincare routine.
Prevention
Stretch marks cannot always be prevented. However, the following steps may help to reduce the risk:- Maintain a healthy weight.
- Eat a balanced diet rich in vitamins and minerals. Consuming a suitable amount of vitamins A and C can help support the skin, as well as the minerals zinc and silicon.
- Aim for slow and gradual weight gain during pregnancy
- Drink six to eight glasses of water every day
