Stretch Marks Causes & Treatment
Stretch marks or striae, as they are called in dermatology, are a form of scarring on the skin with a silvery white hue. They are caused by tearing of the dermis from rapid growth or over-stretching, and over time can diminish but not disappear completely. It is a common condition that does not cause any significant medical problems but can be of cosmetic concern for some people.
Stretch marks are the result of the rapid stretching of the skin associated with rapid growth (common in puberty) or weight gain (e.g. pregnancy). The upper layer of the skin is normal, but in the lower layer the collagen and elastin, which give the skin its strength and elasticity, have become thinner and broken. Depending on the skin type, at first the marks can be pink, purple, brown or red. This is because the stretched skin is more transparent and the small blood vessels that lie deep in the skin show through. Later, the blood vessels contract. The color then fades to white, which is simply fat under the skin showing through.
Around half of all pregnant women will develop stretch marks (striae gravidarum), usually in the third trimester, as the abdominal skin is forced to accommodate the growing uterus. Some pregnant women also develop stretch marks on the breasts, hips, buttocks and thighs. Also, stretch marks are a normal part of puberty for most people.
Following is a list of causes or underlying conditions that could possibly
cause stretch marks:
Rapid weight gain
Overweight
Obesity
Pregnancy
Childbirth
Puberty
Cushing's syndrome
Skin is remarkably flexible and can stretch substantially if given sufficient time. The damage of the skin can come about from rapid weight gain over a short space of time, such as during pregnancy. Stretch marks can also be found on children who have become quickly obese or on adolescents who have had a growth spurt during puberty. Athletes and body builders can also develop stretch marks due to constant repetitive exercises. The most common areas affected by stretch marks are the hips, breasts, buttocks, thighs and abdomen.
However, some believe that the term stretch mark is a misnomer and they are not caused by the stretching of the skin at all. It has been suggested that stretch marks are caused due to an increased level of a hormone called glucocorticoids, circulating through the bloodstream. This hormone is secreted by the adrenal glands and it is increased during pregnancy, adolescence, with obesity, Cushing’s disease and weight lifting. The glucocorticoids affect the dermis by preventing the fibroblasts from forming collagen and elastin fibers that are required to keep growing skin taut. Dermal tearing then follows as there is a lack of supportive material when the skin is being stretched.
So the stretching may determine where the stretch marks will occur but the actual stretching is not seen as cause of stretch marks. It has also been suggested that some people are more genetically prone to stretch marks than others. Skin type may be a factor; dryer skin has less elasticity than oily skin, and more prone to stretch marks. Stretch marks can also develop more easily in skin with a high proportion of rigid cross-lined collagen that occurs in teenagers.
Another theory on the cause of stretch marks is that they can occur due to the abnormal collagen formation as a result of medications or chemicals that interfere with collagen formation. It is also suggested that some medications that are hormonal or steroid based may cause stretch marks.
Stretch marks are permanent in the sense that the skin in these areas will never be completely normal. However, after a time they contract down into much less obvious, thin, whitish scars. Try to avoid yo-yo dieting. If you are overweight, aim to lose it slowly (do not aim to lose more than 1 lb (0.5 kg) a week). If you are pregnant, there is not much you can do.
Collagen creams claim that they will improve stretch marks. There is no evidence that they do so. In fact, collagen and elastin put onto the surface of the skin can not penetrate into the deeper layers.
Lasers can be used to treat stretch marks at an early stage, when they are still red. The red blood cells in the small blood vessels absorb the energy from the laser beam and convert it into heat, which then seals the blood vessels. This gets rid of the red color and might speed up the contracting process, but is uncertain whether it will make any difference in the long run.
Tretinoin (Retin-A) is another approach to the treatment of early stretch marks. There where reports that it produces some improvement.
Surgery is a possibility for tummy stretch marks if you also have a lot of loose skin on the tummy. The surgery is a "tummy tuck" (removal of the skin and the fatty tissue beneath). You will be left with scars around the belly button and across the lower stomach. This is not a minor surgery and it carries risks. Recovery takes several weeks.
Cocoa butter cream, which is available from pharmacies, is often recommended to soften scars, so might be worth a try.