How to remove stretch marks on the stomach: the best methods and remedies for getting rid of stretch marks after pregnancy

Striae or stretch marks (scars) on the skin of the abdomen are a very common phenomenon among women and even men. The most common victims of unpleasant stripes are girls. They can appear at any age and under any circumstances, especially after pregnancy and sudden weight changes.

In some cases, scars may occur for other reasons related to a person's health.

Causes

The histologies of stretch marks and post-traumatic scars are similar: for example, in both cases there are signs of early inflammatory changes followed by thinning and flattening of the dermis.

Stretch marks can appear during pregnancy due to hormonal changes.

The main reason for the rupture of fibers, causing the formation of striae, is the lack of elasticity of the skin and its low ability to recover. Places of microtears begin to be filled with connective tissue, and unaesthetic stripes of varying degrees of severity and color appear on the surface of the skin.

https://youtu.be/e-DIUdN1_jA

The following factors can provoke insufficient elasticity of the skin and its low ability to recover, and hence the formation of stretch marks:

hormonal imbalance in adolescence or during pregnancy and lactation;
some pathologies of the endocrine system (for example, Cushing's syndrome);
weight fluctuations;
heredity;
taking steroids and other hormonal drugs.

Sometimes the suspected cause of stretch marks can be determined by the nature of their location. Typically, horizontal striae are observed with hormonal imbalances, and vertical ones with rapid weight gain or fluctuations and after childbirth.

Stretch marks themselves are not dangerous and are only a cosmetic problem. However, one should not underestimate the danger of their appearance, since sometimes their formation is associated with a disruption of the endocrine system. That is why the appearance of stretch marks, which cannot be explained by overstretching of the skin or sudden fluctuations in weight, should always be a reason to consult an endocrinologist.

Stretch marks are stretches of the skin as well as tears in the dermis. Theoretically, they can occur on any part of the body, but in most cases, the stripes form in those places where a person has the greatest concentration of subcutaneous fat - the chest, abdomen, thighs and buttocks. For athletes, this list is also supplemented by such places as the inner side of the arms and deltoids, since during intense training these areas significantly increase in volume.

Initially, stretch marks have a pinkish tint, the skin on them becomes thinner compared to the rest of the body. In addition, they may be itchy. Over time, the stripes fade and at this stage it becomes much more difficult to eliminate them. White stretch marks are called “old”, and they acquire this shade approximately within a year and a half from the moment they appear.

At their core, skin stretch marks are nothing more than microtraumas. The skin is not able to stretch due to rapid changes in body volume, and is therefore injured from the inside. The body, trying to “sew up” the wound, fills the area with connective tissue, which in its properties, specifically external, differs from the skin.

The manifestation of skin stretch marks indicates that the body’s production of elastin and collagen, components directly responsible for the condition of the skin, is disrupted. As such, they do not pose a danger to the health of the body, however, if the root cause of stretch marks is associated with certain hormonal disorders, it certainly needs to be eliminated.

Thinning of the skin and a decrease in its elasticity in areas of stretch marks is explained by the hormonal changes already mentioned above. These are known to occur in adolescents during puberty, in women during pregnancy, as well as in some athletes who radically revise their diet or use anabolic steroids.

Actually, it’s not even the diet itself or the use of any drug that plays a role, but what follows—sharp changes in weight, both in one direction and the other. This is why the problem of stretch marks is so relevant for bodybuilders, whose training process involves gaining muscle mass, or, on the contrary, focusing on the so-called “drying”.

If these processes are accompanied by the use of pharmacological support, the risk of skin stretch marks increases significantly. By the way, last but not least, to avoid the risk of stretch marks, nutritionists advise that when losing weight, try to lose weight by no more than 2-3% per month. As for training, excessive loads after a long break, or, on the contrary, a sudden cessation of exercise, can also lead to stretch marks.

Stretch mark treatment and prevention

Considering the complexity of dealing with skin stretch marks, a much better solution would be timely prevention of their manifestation. However, some of its points can also be successfully applied for the purpose of getting rid of existing stripes, and therefore we will consider them simultaneously in both cases. So, to prevent and get rid of stretch marks, it is recommended:

smear problem areas of the skin with special creams and oils;
maintain optimal water balance in the body by drinking at least 2 liters of water per day;
try to eat as little food as possible containing salt and preservatives;
pay attention to the required concentration of vitamins and minerals in your diet.

We are talking, in particular, about components such as zinc, copper, vitamins C, B5 and E, since these substances increase the production of collagen. Products where they are contained in the greatest volume are: avocado, liver, green peas, pumpkin and sunflower seeds, whole grains. Protein, which is already the main component in a bodybuilder’s diet, also helps restore tissue and prevent its rupture;

essential oils or plant extracts are substances that stimulate blood circulation in the body.

https://youtu.be/xnQiGdDdMlU

The best thing is to add them directly to the water when bathing. Or rub it into the skin while bathing. You can use either one oil or a combination of several at once. In the second case, you should choose one of the oils as the main one, it is best if it is an oil rich in vitamin E, for example, almond or olive.

The last two tips are most often used by girls, but this does not mean that tough male bodybuilders should neglect them. These recommendations are effective and universal.

1 cup salt 1 cup sugar 0.5 cup oil (ideally palm oil). During water procedures, thoroughly wipe the problem areas with the resulting mixture, and after taking a shower or bath, lubricate these areas with cream.

Also for water procedures - to prevent stretch marks, a contrast shower is very useful, strengthening both the skin itself and the smooth muscles located under it.

Video

If the above tips seemed useful to you or, on the contrary, none of them were to your liking, we invite you to watch the following video. From it you will learn more about methods of getting rid of stretch marks, as well as what nuances need to be taken into account so as not to harm the skin.

https://youtu.be/wUvGCwKriDI

Of course, the solutions and methods we have identified are far from the only options suitable for combating the problem. Do you know a special miracle recipe? Have you tried out a technique not mentioned in the article? Leave comments and let's discuss!

What do stretch marks look like?

The clinical picture of stretch marks largely depends on the structure of the skin, its ability to stretch and the state of hormonal levels. It is these indicators that will affect the severity of such skin defects.

Localization location

Typically, stretch marks appear in the chest, abdomen, buttocks and thighs. In more rare cases, such skin disorders can be localized on the face, neck, back and other parts of the body.

The color of stretch marks can vary from white to dark purple. Its intensity largely depends on how long ago striae formed. “Fresh” stretch marks have various red-violet shades, and “later” ones gradually lighten.

Read more: Stretching for beginners - where to start? Exercises for the back, legs, arms and splits at home,

The connective tissue, which essentially makes up striae, has a reduced ability to form melanin. That is why, when tanning, areas of skin with stretch marks tan less than the surrounding skin area and become much more noticeable. Only sometimes, with a certain skin phototype, tanning can make stretch marks less noticeable. But even in such cases, ultraviolet rays do not have a therapeutic effect, but only smooth out the existing cosmetic defect.

Stretch marks can be multiple or single; this indicator depends on the degree of stretching of the skin and the characteristics of its structure. Their sizes also vary widely and depend on the same indicators. The width of the striae can be from 1 to 6-7 mm, and the length - from 1 to 10 cm.

Relief

The relief of striae can be different. They can protrude above the surface of the skin, be retracted or flush with the skin. These figures may change over time.

Striae with endocrine pathology such as Cushing's syndrome have a characteristic appearance:

the skin becomes thinner;
the vascular pattern of the skin becomes more pronounced;
areas of peeling appear on the surface of the skin;
stretch marks are localized in the abdomen, shoulders or mammary glands;
rashes appear on the skin (subcutaneous hematomas, acne).

In addition to stretch marks, hyperpigmentation may be observed on the patient’s skin. Melasma at this stage of Cushing's syndrome is especially pronounced. The patient also has moderate obesity and a redistribution of subcutaneous fat characteristic of this syndrome.

To treat stretch marks in Cushing's syndrome, in addition to the methods used to eliminate stretch marks, the patient is recommended to undergo a course of therapy for the underlying pathology. The treatment plan may include the following medications and treatments:

steroidogenesis inhibitors: Chloditan, Aminoglutethimide;
removal of pituitary cortitropinoma (performed when the tumor is clearly visualized on MRI images);
adrenectomy (surgery on the adrenal gland), performed by a surgeon using a scalpel, after confirming the indications for removal of the organ.

Localization location

Laser resurfacing

It is one of the most effective methods for combating old stretch marks. Using a high-quality device, a specialist removes the top damaged layer of skin, in its place a renewed one appears.

Unfortunately, the procedure will not get rid of the stripes the first time, and the price for several sessions is very steep. But, if finances allow, then this method will make your life easier and will get rid of stretch marks once and for all. The number of visits to a cosmetologist depends on the condition of the red stripes, the average number of procedures is 3-11.

The clinic itself and a cosmetologist will tell you how much it costs to remove stretch marks on the stomach with a laser. The average price varies from 2,000 to 15,000 per session, depending on the number of centimeters of the damaged area, location and popularity of the hospital.

Diagnostics

Diagnosing stretch marks is never difficult.
To do this, you need to consult a doctor, dermatologist or cosmetologist who will examine your skin. If the presence of diseases of the endocrine system is suspected, the patient may be advised to consult an endocrinologist for diagnosis and treatment of the underlying pathology. To determine the age of stretch marks, the doctor compares the following indicators: the presence of dilated vessels and fibrous tissue in the area of stretch marks. With “fresh” changes in the skin, a large number of changed vessels are observed, and as the striae “aging”, the number of vessels becomes smaller, and the amount of scar tissue increases.

Prevention of stretch marks

To prevent the appearance of stretch marks, you must follow the following recommendations:

monitor your weight;
adhere to a balanced diet;
maintain a drinking regime (you should drink 1.5–2 liters of clean water);
if necessary, take vitamin and mineral complexes;
regularly go to the gym and lead an active lifestyle;
get rid of bad habits;
During pregnancy, women are advised to wear a bandage and rub vegetable oils into their stomach;
if you are predisposed to stretch marks, you must take courses of massages, wraps, etc.

Stretch marks appear for various reasons. They can be fresh or old. It is much more difficult to deal with old stretch marks, so when scars appear, you should immediately take measures to eliminate them. This can be done both at home and in beauty salons.

Treatment

Treatment of stretch marks is carried out in cases where they represent a significant aesthetic defect and cause anxiety to their owner. In other cases, correction of such skin changes is not required.

It is important to understand that treatment of striae should begin as early as possible, since the effectiveness of therapy largely depends on this moment. Stretch marks that formed more than 1 year ago are less susceptible to successful treatment, since scar changes have already fully formed in them. In such cases, the cosmetic defect can only be partially eliminated, but thanks to modern techniques, such stretch marks can be made almost invisible.

Treatment of stretch marks is always a complex and lengthy process. To eliminate them, various techniques and their combinations can be used:

chemical peeling - performed using acids that burn the altered epidermis and create favorable conditions for the production of natural collagen;
laser peeling - performed using laser beams that “burn out” the changed tissues and stimulate the growth of new healthy cells;
mesotherapy - is performed by introducing special preparations (enzymes, stimulators of collagen production, vitamins, microelements, etc.) into the changed areas of the skin, which have a beneficial effect on the process of skin renewal and bring its structure closer to the structure of healthy skin;
microdermabrasion - performed using special equipment that provides mechanical resurfacing of the skin and the growth of new healthy tissue;
LPG massage - performed using a special device that performs a vacuum massage of the skin, stimulating the production of natural elastin and collagen, ensuring the normalization of metabolism and blood circulation in the massaged area;
RF lifting – is performed using a special device that exerts a radio frequency electromagnetic effect on the skin and heats its deep layers to 40-42°C, this procedure helps to activate regenerative processes in the affected areas of the skin;
therapeutic wraps - performed by applying active substances (for example, spirulina algae) to the skin, which activate collagen production and increase skin tone; can be used to treat “fresh” and slightly pronounced stretch marks.

Sometimes radical plastic surgery is performed to eliminate severe stretch marks that are difficult to treat with minimally invasive treatment. For example, if there is excess skin and stretch marks on the abdominal wall, abdominoplasty is recommended. During this operation, excess skin is removed along with stretch marks.

It should be noted that most specialists resort to radical removal of stretch marks only in extreme cases. This is explained by the fact that any surgical operation is always associated with significant risks: purulent complications, blood loss, scar formation, etc.

The use of widely advertised cosmetics (creams, ointments, gels, masks, etc.) to eliminate stretch marks is in most cases ineffective. Such local remedies cannot eliminate scar tissue in the deep layers of the skin and only sometimes contribute to a more rapid “maturation” of scar changes and some discoloration of stretch marks. That is why most cosmetologists recommend using them not to get rid of stretch marks, but to prevent them.

Clinical methods

If you decide to get rid of stretch marks on your stomach, chest or other part of the body when they have already healed and acquired a light shade, folk solutions are unlikely to help. This means that medical involvement cannot be avoided. However, do not think that for the sake of a beautiful body you will inevitably have to go under the surgeon’s knife. More gentle options are no less effective in removing scars.

Removal by peeling

Peeling refers to a cosmetic technique that involves removing the top dead layer of skin through mechanical or chemical action. It significantly softens the skin, provides access to its deeper layers, and also activates the basal layer, which is responsible for the smoothness and healthy appearance of the skin.

Chemical peeling is used for medium or deep effects on the skin. During its implementation, alpha and beta hydroxy acids, lactic and salicylic, trichloroacetic and phenolic, as well as other acids are used, so consultation with a doctor before the session is required.
Diamond microdermabrasion (mechanical grinding) allows not only to quickly remove the stratum corneum of the epidermis, but also to even out the relief of scar formations. It is carried out using a special device whose nozzles are coated with diamond coating. Among the advantages of this method are hypoallergenicity, low trauma, and an almost complete absence of painful sensations.

If you use any of these methods in a timely manner, your skin will be transformed beyond recognition, and the scars will either become completely invisible or disappear completely. However, if for some reason they do not inspire confidence in you, there are other methods that can eliminate stretch marks forever.

Laser removal

Today, more and more people are turning to laser removal of stretch marks on the body. And it is not surprising, because the methods attributed to it are practically painless, do not require special training, do not impose any restrictions on lifestyle between sessions, and, most importantly, demonstrate visible results after just one course.

Laser resurfacing (also known as laser peeling) is a layer-by-layer removal of striae cells with micron precision. Thanks to it, the surface of the skin becomes smoother, and the problem area begins to be supplied with collagen. As a result, after just a few sessions, the differences between the treated area and the rest are practically reduced to nothing.
Fractional thermolysis is used to treat particularly delicate areas of the skin. Here the laser beam is divided into many (from 200 to 1 thousand) microbeams that selectively pierce the problem area, forming a kind of “grid” of small dots. The skin around them, which remains intact, begins to produce elastin and collagen much faster.
Laser nanoperforation is a gentle procedure that affects different layers of the epidermis without causing harm to them. However, due to foreign interference, the processes of skin cell restoration and renewal are activated, which ultimately leads to the disappearance of the stripes.
Non-injection mesotherapy is no less effective than other methods. A mixture of active substances is applied to the skin, and a professional device acts on it with magnetic waves. The increased permeability of the skin allows the drug to easily penetrate to a depth of 2 mm and act on damaged areas.

Although these methods show excellent results, do not forget that they are not available to everyone. And the point here is not only the price, which significantly impacts the family budget. A number of restrictions and contraindications for use are imposed, such as: pregnancy and lactation, acute cancer, viral infections, etc.

Injection removal

Since the molecules of most drugs are too large to penetrate into the deep layers of the epidermis, they must be administered by injection. This technique today is considered one of the most popular, proven and effective. However, it should be performed exclusively in the salon, because... home treatment in 8 out of 10 cases causes unpleasant consequences.

Mesotherapy is a technique that involves introducing a meso-cocktail under the skin, the ingredients of which are selected individually. If the damage area is small, the classical form of the procedure is used, if it is significant, hardware action is used.
Ozone therapy involves the introduction of ozone injections under the skin - mezoozone, which burn subcutaneous fat and remove toxins from the body. In 10-15 sessions, the scars are noticeably smoothed out and become invisible.
Bioreparation involves treating the skin with antioxidants and biorepants, which guarantees a double effect. The covers are simultaneously renewed and become more resistant to external factors - cold, wind, etc.
Carboxytherapy has the opposite effect of ozone therapy. During its implementation, the level of carbon dioxide in the body increases, which forces the circulatory system to rebuild its operating mode: dilate blood vessels, accelerate the saturation of cells with oxygen, and also do other actions that are so necessary for the accelerated renewal of the skin.

The above procedures have already proven their effectiveness. But due to the high pain threshold and individual intolerance to certain drugs, they are not suitable for everyone. That is why, if you do not want to harm the body, then before removing it using this method, you should consult a specialist.

Folk recipes for striae

In some cases, with mild stretch marks, you can use various folk recipes. They can help make such cosmetic defects less noticeable.

Cream with mumiyo

Dissolve one gram of mumiyo in a teaspoon of slightly warm boiled water and mix the resulting solution with a tablespoon of baby cream. Apply the product to the area of stretch marks twice a day.

The same cream can also be used to prevent stretch marks.

Olive oil with aloe and vitamins

½ cup olive oil;
½ glass of aloe juice;
10 drops of vitamin E;
5 drops of vitamin A.

Store the resulting product in the refrigerator. Warm up before applying. Apply with massaging movements.

This product is best used immediately after peeling or scrub.

Massage oil based on fatty and essential oils

Mix 20 ml each of wheat germ, almond and jojoba oils. Add petitgrain or neroli essential oil (3-4 drops) to the base fatty oils. Apply the resulting mixture to the skin and massage areas with stretch marks.

This massage oil can also be used to prevent stretch marks.

Peels for stretch marks

The following compositions can be used as peelings for stretch marks:

150 ml of natural yoghurt, zest of one lemon and a tablespoon of almond oil: apply to the area of stretch marks for 20 minutes, massage the skin before rinsing, apply 2 times a week;
a tablespoon of wheat germ oil, gruel from 1 avocado, 2 tablespoons each of oatmeal and blue clay: apply to the area of stretch marks for 20 minutes, massage the skin before rinsing, apply 2 times a week;
200 ml of red palm oil, a glass of salt, a glass of sugar: apply to the skin and massage for 10-15 minutes, use daily.

After carrying out the above procedures, you need to apply a special milk for stretch marks to the skin. It can be prepared this way: mix 150 ml of regular cosmetic milk with 10 ml of petitgrain or rosemary essential oil. This product must be shaken before application.

Read more: Why do you need muscle stretching after strength training?

How to remove stretch marks in other ways

There are other ways to remove scars that appear on the skin. For example, massage and body wrap. Both of these options have already proven their effectiveness in the fight against stretch marks and cellulite. You can actually do them without leaving your home. The components included are predominantly herbal in nature, which makes these methods extremely attractive.

Wrap

Wraps are a process during which problem areas are first covered with a healing mixture, and then tightly wrapped with film and insulating materials and left for 40 minutes. Their popularity is due to the fact that sessions can be carried out at home. To do this, you only need cling film, a blanket and a special composition of wraps.

Oily. Take three drops each of juniper, citrus and lavender oils and mix them in a separate container. Then add vegetable oil to them and stir. Apply the resulting mixture to the scars using cotton pads.
With vitamins. To obtain such a mixture you will need to mix 0.1 liters. aloe juice, 0.15 l. olive oil, 5 drops of vitamin A and 10 drops of E.
With chamomile. Place a handful of common chamomile flowers in boiling milk and let the broth brew for an hour. We soak the mixture with pieces of cotton fabric and apply them to the stretch marks.
With mumiyo. Dissolve two mummy tablets in a teaspoon of boiled water. Add a little baby cream there and mix thoroughly.

The results of the wraps are noticeable after just 5-6 sessions, which suggests their effectiveness in combating stretch marks. However, they are not allowed for everyone. If you are expecting a baby, have heart or kidney problems, are allergic to the active ingredients used or have skin diseases, you will have to avoid wraps.

Massage

Massage is one of the most pleasant methods of dealing with the problem. During this procedure, blood circulation is improved, which entails an improvement in the supply of useful elements to the skin. The lymph flow is also stabilized, which directly affects the rate of fat breakdown. There are dozens of methods for carrying out this procedure, but the most effective among them were and remain:

Honey massage

It is carried out as follows: a little honey is poured onto the palm, after which it is brought to the location of the stretch marks and they begin to make patting movements with it. The procedure continues for about 15 minutes - until all the honey is absorbed, followed by a shower, during which it is extremely undesirable to use soap. For the massage to be as effective as possible, it should be performed after peeling. However, you should not forget about contraindications: pregnant women, allergy sufferers, as well as people who have problems with blood pressure or damage in the area of intended exposure should refrain from the procedure.

Cupping massage

To perform this, you will need special plastic jars with rubberized nozzles, which can be found in most pharmacies. First, the skin must be properly steamed (for example, using a hot bath). The massage itself takes place in 4 stages:

Press the jar firmly onto the problem area and begin to move it up and down.
After about 5 minutes, linear movements are replaced by circular ones. The device must be rotated strictly clockwise.
The next step is to draw a figure eight or an infinity sign on the skin with a jar.
At the final stage, the rotation speed gradually decreases. Then the jar is removed, and the massage ends with light patting of the palms on the treated area.

The duration of the procedure is 15-20 minutes per day. For greater effect, use a cream with anti-cellulite effect. If after the first sessions bruises appear on the skin, do not be alarmed, this is a normal phenomenon that will disappear as soon as your skin gets stronger.

Vacuum massage

This massage option is performed exclusively in the salon using specialized equipment. During the session, the epidermis, lymphatic and blood vessels and subcutaneous fat layer are affected, which helps accelerate cellular metabolism. Tissue regeneration and nutrition are also improved. However, this method also has contraindications. It is not recommended to use it for those who suffer from thrombophlebitis, exacerbation of chronic diseases, heart problems, and also have skin damage in the area of intended impact or fragile blood vessels.

Manual massage

This option is considered unique because it does not require any costs, special skills or professional equipment. Accordingly, the number of contraindications here tends to zero. Manual massage should be performed primarily using pinch movements. This will speed up blood circulation, stabilize lymph flow, and also increase tissue nutrition. At the same time, stretching and stroking will only aggravate the situation, thinning the fine fibers even more.

Hydromassage

The method allows you to painlessly soften scarred tissue, restore the skin to its former elasticity, and also stabilize the course of regeneration and metabolic processes in it. It can be implemented both in a spa salon, where there is the necessary equipment - an underwater massage shower, and at home using an ordinary shower with special massage attachments. You can trust both a professional and an amateur to perform a massage. In some situations, even self-massage will be appropriate. Spend 10 minutes a day on the procedure (for example, five minutes immediately after waking up, five minutes before bedtime). However, keep in mind that you can talk about any effect only when the process becomes daily and mandatory.

Prevention

To prevent stretch marks, you must follow these rules:

Drink enough water (about 2 liters per day).
Organize a balanced diet with sufficient vitamins and minerals. Additional intake of fish oil, vitamins A and E, omega-3.
Carry out additional skin care using cosmetics with vitamins A, C and E, hyaluronic acid, aloe extract, chitosan and natural oils.
Take a contrast shower, after which apply skin care products.
Conduct courses in vacuum massage, wraps with algae and healing mud.

Regular adherence to such simple recommendations will significantly reduce the risk of stretch marks during pregnancy, breastfeeding and significant weight fluctuations.

If stretch marks do appear, then do not put off visiting a cosmetologist: treatment of recently appeared stretch marks is more effective and guarantees an excellent aesthetic result.

Remember this, and your skin will always be beautiful and well-groomed.

Prevention of occurrence

To prevent the appearance of stretch marks, especially during pregnancy, you must follow these recommendations:

Follow the principles of proper nutrition.

Tears in the connective layers of the epidermis occur due to a lack of collagen and elastin. To produce it, you need to eat more protein foods: chicken, beef, pork, eggs, fish, cottage cheese and hard cheese.

Get vitamin E from food or through medication supplements.
Control your weight gain. Diets and fasting are contraindicated for pregnant women. However, even doctors advise reducing the consumption of sugar and fast food during this period.
Wear comfortable underwear and a special bandage while expecting a baby and after giving birth. Clothing should not be tight or pinch the skin.
Do gymnastics and special exercises to strengthen your muscles. Then the skin will be able to better abstract from changes in body volume and weight.

The article has been verified by the editors

Diagnostics

To determine the age of stretch marks, the doctor compares the following indicators: the presence of dilated vessels and fibrous tissue in the area of stretch marks. With “fresh” changes in the skin, a large number of changed vessels are observed, and as the striae “aging”, the number of vessels becomes smaller, and the amount of scar tissue increases.

Does sport help fight the problem?

No one will tell you how to remove stretch marks after childbirth with the help of some exercises and sports, in contrast to eliminating problems with the elasticity of the genitals in the postpartum and prenatal periods. Proper physical exercise helps eliminate sagging skin, tightens it, strengthens the subcutaneous muscles and thereby significantly improves its appearance. But as a means to combat stretch marks, they are ineffective and are only suitable for combating excess weight. In addition, you can start intensive sports no earlier than 2-3 months after giving birth.

Treatment

There are various creams designed to prevent and treat stretch marks. Creams containing coconut, olive oil, wheat germ and other natural ingredients that supposedly help in the treatment of stretch marks, in fact, do not have sufficient evidence of effectiveness.

Tretinoin, a form of vitamin A that is used to smooth wrinkles, combat photodamage and skin aging, has also shown some degree of effectiveness in the treatment of stretch marks, particularly in the early stages of the disease. A randomized controlled trial demonstrated that tretinoin cream 0.1% also reduced the appearance of red abdominal stretch marks after pregnancy when used daily for 3 months.

A popular and effective method for eliminating various aesthetic and dermatological skin problems, as well as treating white and red stretch marks, is laser therapy. In particular, devices whose target chromophore is hemoglobin, present in the dilated blood vessels of red stretch marks, are effective.

Damage to the epithelium with subsequent re-epithelialization, as well as stimulation of the synthesis of extracellular collagen and elastin, ensures tissue remodeling and smoothing of the skin surface. Lasers whose target chromophore is water in the skin (ablative CO2 laser with a wavelength of 10600 nm and an erbium yttrium aluminum garnet laser with a wavelength of 2940 nm) are widely used in the treatment of post-acne.

Such devices are also used for the treatment of stretch marks, especially white ones, the histology of which is similar to the histology of acne scars.

Laser treatment of scar skin deformities

Some studies also demonstrate the effectiveness of radiofrequency therapy in treating stretch marks on skin that is subject to thermal damage during the procedure. As a result, the process of wound healing, remodeling of the dermis and the synthesis of new collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid are stimulated.

1. Microdermabrasion The effectiveness of this method in the treatment of stretch marks has not been proven, however, the processes of reepithelialization and collagen synthesis, which are triggered as a result of superficial trauma to the skin, can lead to a decrease in the severity of immature stretch marks.

2. Chemical peels, in particular, glycolic, salicylic and trichloroacetic acids in a concentration of less than 30%. However, combination therapy using peels (TCA, salicylic acid), tretinoin, microdermabrasion and mesotherapy for the treatment of red stretch marks is more promising.

3. Mesotherapy Positive results from the use of mesotherapy for the treatment of stretch marks red were obtained in a study involving 30 women: the severity of stretch marks decreased after 3 mesotherapy sessions, which were carried out at an interval of 6 weeks. However, mesotherapy is more effective in combination with other therapeutic methods, such as peelings, radio frequencies, light therapy and PRP.

Mesotherapy is often used in combination with other procedures, such as PRP therapy, to increase the effectiveness of transdermal delivery of chemicals.

4. PRPPlatelets contain many growth factors that modulate cell proliferation, angiogenesis and inflammatory responses, collagen synthesis and tissue regeneration.

There are several studies looking at the treatment of stretch marks on the skin with platelet rich plasma, which have shown improvement when targeting white and red stretch marks. However, the results of therapy were assessed subjectively by doctors and patients, so their reliability remains in question.

Thus, the most effective non-surgical method for treating striae, according to available research, today can be called laser therapy. Results from topical tretinoin cream and combination therapies such as PRP, radiofrequency, mesotherapy, and microdermabrasion are also promising.

Based on materials from Aesthetics magazine

A solution containing a mixture of vitamins A and E stimulates skin regeneration. Used externally.

Contractubex

https://youtu.be/jTWuHzdqXPA

Special gel against stretch marks and scars.

Strataderm

Silicone based gel. Optimizes collagen production in problem areas of the skin.

Capsules for internal use. Contains vitamins A and E.

Treatment of stretch marks is always a complex and lengthy process. To eliminate them, various techniques and their combinations can be used:

chemical peeling - performed using acids that burn the altered epidermis and create favorable conditions for the production of natural collagen;
laser peeling - performed using laser beams that “burn out” the changed tissues and stimulate the growth of new healthy cells;
mesotherapy - is performed by introducing special preparations (enzymes, stimulators of collagen production, vitamins, microelements, etc.) into the changed areas of the skin, which have a beneficial effect on the process of skin renewal and bring its structure closer to the structure of healthy skin;
microdermabrasion - performed using special equipment that provides mechanical resurfacing of the skin and the growth of new healthy tissue;
LPG massage - performed using a special device that performs a vacuum massage of the skin, stimulating the production of natural elastin and collagen, ensuring the normalization of metabolism and blood circulation in the massaged area;
RF lifting – is performed using a special device that exerts a radio frequency electromagnetic effect on the skin and heats its deep layers to 40-42°C, this procedure helps to activate regenerative processes in the affected areas of the skin;
therapeutic wraps - performed by applying active substances (for example, spirulina algae) to the skin, which activate collagen production and increase skin tone; can be used to treat “fresh” and slightly pronounced stretch marks.

Sometimes radical plastic surgery is performed to eliminate severe stretch marks that are difficult to treat with minimally invasive treatment. For example, if there is excess skin and stretch marks on the abdominal wall, abdominoplasty is recommended. During this operation, excess skin is removed along with stretch marks.

Read more: How to make a sculpted body All the subtleties and secrets

The main reason

The main cause of scarring is a change in the level of collagen in the skin, which helps maintain the flexibility and elasticity of the skin. It is impossible to completely remove stretch marks on the abdomen without the intervention of surgeons, but discoloring or reducing them is quite doable. The main thing is not to stop and constantly monitor the condition of the body.

A common occurrence is the appearance of stretch marks on the stomach of a pregnant woman. The skin stretches and dries out, and an active lifestyle decreases, almost to zero, which activates the process of the appearance of blue stripes.

Unfortunately, during the period of bearing a baby, it is difficult to fully move and play sports, and this negatively affects not only the skin, but also health.

To remove stretch marks on the abdomen after childbirth, you need to exercise and resort to cosmetic procedures, but only after the end of the breastfeeding period.

Folk recipes for striae

In some cases, with mild stretch marks, you can use various folk recipes. They can help make such cosmetic defects less noticeable.

Cream with mumiyo

Dissolve one gram of mumiyo in a teaspoon of slightly warm boiled water and mix the resulting solution with a tablespoon of baby cream. Apply the product to the area of stretch marks twice a day.

The same cream can also be used to prevent stretch marks.

½ cup olive oil;
½ glass of aloe juice;
10 drops of vitamin E;
5 drops of vitamin A.

Store the resulting product in the refrigerator. Warm up before applying. Apply with massaging movements.

This product is best used immediately after peeling or scrub.

This massage oil can also be used to prevent stretch marks.

Peels for stretch marks

The following compositions can be used as peelings for stretch marks:

150 ml of natural yoghurt, zest of one lemon and a tablespoon of almond oil: apply to the area of stretch marks for 20 minutes, massage the skin before rinsing, apply 2 times a week;
a tablespoon of wheat germ oil, gruel from 1 avocado, 2 tablespoons each of oatmeal and blue clay: apply to the area of stretch marks for 20 minutes, massage the skin before rinsing, apply 2 times a week;
200 ml of red palm oil, a glass of salt, a glass of sugar: apply to the skin and massage for 10-15 minutes, use daily.

After carrying out the above procedures, you need to apply a special milk for stretch marks to the skin. It can be prepared this way: mix 150 ml of regular cosmetic milk with 10 ml of petitgrain or rosemary essential oil. This product must be shaken before application.

Cream with mumiyo

Massage treatments

An excellent and effective method of combating hated scars in the abdominal area. The only downside is that this method will only help with fresh strips. If the stretch marks are old (more than 1 year), then massage will only slightly correct the situation together with other gentle procedures.

You can massage the damaged areas using a dry or wet method. The second is aimed at enriching the skin with vitamins through the use of creams and oils. The most effective and popular oils are rosemary, almond and citrus. It is better to purchase them in specialized stores or pharmacies.

The procedure must be carried out every day until the stretch marks disappear completely. The minimum course duration is 30 days, and the daily massage time should be 20-30 minutes.

This method will also help a good half of the male sex. To remove stretch marks on the abdomen in men, it is important to carry out the procedures in conjunction with strength training, which pregnant women cannot afford.

Prevention

To prevent stretch marks, you must follow these rules:

Drink enough water (about 2 liters per day).
Organize a balanced diet with sufficient vitamins and minerals. Additional intake of fish oil, vitamins A and E, omega-3.
Carry out additional skin care using cosmetics with vitamins A, C and E, hyaluronic acid, aloe extract, chitosan and natural oils.
Take a contrast shower, after which apply skin care products.
Conduct courses in vacuum massage, wraps with algae and healing mud.

Regular adherence to such simple recommendations will significantly reduce the risk of stretch marks during pregnancy, breastfeeding and significant weight fluctuations.

Remember this, and your skin will always be beautiful and well-groomed.

Wraps

To eliminate stretch marks, health centers and beauty salons use wraps with cocoa butter, lanolin, and medicinal mud. Algae (kelp and bladderwrack) are especially popular. Algae wraps (thalassotherapy) stimulate the production of elastin and collagen, and also activate blood circulation, lymphatic drainage and promote cell renewal. After a course of 10–15 procedures, old stretch marks will become less noticeable, and fresh ones will fade and be almost invisible.

But wraps can also be done at home. To prepare the composition you should take:

algae powder - 1 tbsp. l.;
clean water (40–60 °C) – 250 ml.

The algae should be filled with water and left to swell for 20 minutes. After this, apply the composition to the stomach using a brush, wrap in cling film and put on warm clothes. After 40 min. Rinse off the algae in the shower and apply body cream.

Wraps should be repeated 3 times a week.

Video: removing postpartum stretch marks with wrap

Which doctor should I contact?

If you have striae (stretch marks on the skin), you may want to see a dermatologist.
If necessary, he will refer you to a cosmetologist. If endocrine pathology is detected, you will need to consult an endocrinologist, ophthalmologist, and possibly a neurosurgeon. Source

In order to avoid a long, complex process of treating skin stretch marks, it is necessary to start prevention in advance. Healthy nutrition and skin care are the basic rules for preventing the formation of stretch marks.

Healthy eating means eating foods such as:

whole wheat bread;
fruits;
vegetables;
seafood;
any fish;
dairy products;
whole grains, for example, buckwheat, rice, oatmeal;
protein food.

Proper nutrition helps normalize the water balance of the skin, but a well-designed diet is not enough to prevent stretch marks. In addition, you must:

Maintain drinking regime. An adult needs 1.5-2 liters of water per day.
Avoid sudden weight loss, or, conversely, weight gain. The permissible value is plus or minus 2 kilograms per month.
Every day you need to do a basic massage: circular movements and pinching increase the elasticity of the skin.
Wrap. What kind of wrap it will be: chocolate, using clay, mud, algae, it doesn’t matter. The main thing is polyethylene, it is what allows you to achieve the greenhouse effect. Wrapping procedures nourish and moisturize the skin.
A contrast shower should start with normal warm water, then switch to hot, then cold. This must be repeated at least 5 times.
A warm half-hour bath at least twice a week, with the addition of nourishing, moisturizing products or kelp, also prevents thinning of the skin.

Stretch marks affect neither women nor men, but they can and should be dealt with. It is imperative to take care of your skin every day! And when the first stretch marks appear, you should not put off treatment for a long time: old defects are more difficult to deal with.

Drink enough water (about 2 liters per day).
Organize a balanced diet with sufficient vitamins and minerals. Additional intake of fish oil, vitamins A and E, omega-3.
To reduce the likelihood of stretch marks, Weleda stretch mark prevention oil is often used. The components of the product, a complex of organic sweet almond, jojoba and wheat germ oils, nourish the skin, saturate it with vitamin E and increase its elasticity. Arnica extract makes the skin more elastic. This natural and hypoallergenic remedy can be used from the first weeks of pregnancy and after childbirth.
Take a contrast shower, after which apply skin care products.
Conduct courses in vacuum massage, wraps with algae and healing mud.

Help from professionals

Modern cosmetic and medical clinics offer a number of ways by which stretch marks can be removed from the skin. A few words about each of them.

Laser resurfacing

The process involves exposure to a laser beam at the sites where stretch marks appear. The beam is able to reach even the deepest layers of the skin, destroying the internal fibers of the stretch marks themselves. After the procedure, the skin acquires a bright red tint, as if after a burn. It sometimes takes up to several months to completely restore its cover.

Chemical peeling

This procedure involves applying special acids to the skin, burning everything, including the inner layers of the epidermis. The process is very painful and is carried out under general anesthesia. Just like the previous method, this type of exposure is contraindicated for pregnant and lactating women.

As an alternative to the two methods described above, expectant and current mothers often use seaweed wrap. You can buy “raw materials” for the mixture at every pharmacy. Dry kelp is diluted in warm water, after which the composition is applied to areas with stretch marks and covered with thermal film. One wrap session lasts 40-45 minutes. Instead of spirulina, you can also use clay, cocoa, and medicinal mud.

The method called “mesotherapy” also has its contraindications. Its essence is to perform microinjections under the skin. These injections include vitamins and herbal elements, making scars virtually invisible visually. However, it will still not be possible to completely eliminate stretch marks; in addition, it must be taken into account that this procedure is prohibited for those with bladder diseases and a number of other ailments. Therefore, before doing mesotherapy, be sure to consult your doctor.

Skin microdermabrasion is also one of the procedures offered by cosmetic clinics. However, it is not suitable for large areas of skin, it is accompanied by pain, and at the same time it gives the required effect by a maximum of 50%. Therefore, it is used in rare cases.

Among the more gentle medical methods, one can also mention ELOS rejuvenation, during which the skin is simultaneously treated with a laser, light flux and radio frequency radiation, which allows stimulating the production of collagen, as well as ozone therapy, according to which a healing mixture consisting mostly of from oxygen and ozone. It is possible to completely eliminate stretch marks only through plastic surgery. Surgical intervention in this case involves the removal of stretched skin during abdominoplasty.

However, even the surgical method does not always guarantee complete removal of stretch marks, especially when it comes to old scars. It is necessary to carry out all the necessary procedures, including medical ones, in a timely manner, at an early stage of the appearance of stretch marks, this is the only way you will “help” them disappear without a trace. And be sure to use an integrated approach, combining different methods of dealing with stretch marks, carry out procedures regularly, ultimately focusing on those that have the most positive effect on your skin.

Myth 7: Only “fresh” stretch marks can be removed

Unfortunately, it is impossible to completely get rid of stretch marks; modern cosmetic procedures can only smooth out the uneven surface of the skin and visually make stretch marks less noticeable. And the sooner you get down to business, the higher the chances of winning in an unequal “battle.”

Whitish stripes on the skin indicate that the process of tissue scarring - that is, the formation of stretch marks - has already been completed, and it will be difficult, long and expensive to deal with them. But purple and pink tones indicate the progress of this process - this is a good time to restore elasticity to the tissues and even out the uneven tone with “small sacrifices.”

From the author: how my stretch marks disappeared

When you face stretch marks, you go through 3 stages: frustration from loss of beauty, struggle, resignation. Coincidentally, already at the first stage my family purchased a dacha. As a result, I avoided subsequent frustrating situations. Arrangement of the site and construction of the house did not leave me time to fight with defects. Many years have passed and now I came across a topic about stretch marks. When I examined the places where they were, I didn’t see striae. If you strain your eyes too hard, only a thin light cobweb is visible. Fresh air, constant physical activity, lots of fruits, vegetables, clean water smoothed out the defects. I did not use any cosmetic products for scars. My advice is to shift your focus from your navel to something big related to improving your overall lifestyle. As a result, you will improve your health, improve your metabolism, and stretch marks will become invisible. If you care about them at all. After all, as you grow older, priorities change.

Benefits of stretching for women

Everyone needs stretching, regardless of athletic training, purpose of exercise, age or gender. Flexibility exercises are important to begin and end any strength or cardio workout. But women should pay special attention to stretching. And there are good reasons for this!

Resistant to injury

Tough muscles are easy to damage. And given that after 30 years, muscle fibers become less and less elastic, the risk of injury increases every year. And it's not just about working in the gym. Every awkward movement on ice, sledding with a child or trying to cope with roller skates can result in a ruptured or sprained ligament. For girls who have included stretching in their training program, all these situations are not at all scary: their muscles are relaxed and their ligaments are elastic.

The right and left sides of the body have different flexibility for all people. And the range of movements is wider when a person is in a good mood.

Effective training

The higher the flexibility, the wider the range of motion. The wider the amplitude, the more effective each approach is. If you don't ignore stretching, your strength will only increase from workout to workout. And since stretching improves the flow of blood and oxygen to the muscles, they will be better supplied with nutrients. The girl will feel the effect as the absence of soreness even after very active activities and the rapid recovery of the body.

Excellent posture

The main benefit of stretching is relaxation and simultaneous strengthening of muscles. The feeling of tightness goes away, the gait becomes easier, movements are smoother, and keeping your back straight is no longer difficult. Need I say that with this comes self-confidence and the birth of love for one’s own body?!

Often the cause of an uneven, stiff gait is low elasticity of individual joints.

Flawless menstrual cycle

Have you ever wondered how female athletes manage to train during menstruation?! It's simple: according to statistics, only 5% of women who regularly go to the gym suffer from PMS symptoms and experience pain during menstruation. For the remaining 95%, their health does not deteriorate at all during these few days. Stretching in this regard is one of the most useful workouts for the female body. Stretching improves blood circulation, normalizes the cycle and effectively prevents uterine spasms. With the start of regular exercise, the pelvic muscles become more elastic, and nagging pain gradually goes away.

A slim body

Typical problem areas for women are the lower abdomen and thighs. But if you strive for the splits every day for at least a few minutes, after six months you will notice that cellulite has disappeared, the inner thigh has tightened, and the waist has become much thinner. There is no magic in this: thanks to stretching, blood supply to the pelvic organs improves, intestinal function normalizes and skin elasticity increases. All metabolic processes accelerate, and active fat burning begins. And you can already be proud of the reflection in the mirror.

Sometimes the cause of crooked legs is poorly developed ligaments. Doing the splits strengthens the adductor muscles, making your legs stronger and more beautiful. Moreover, the effect of stretching is visually much more noticeable than the result of strength training.

Healthy joints

A sedentary lifestyle, previous injuries, age - all this worsens the condition of the musculoskeletal system. Some people begin to notice stiffness in the lower back after waking up, while others suffer from daily tension headaches. Some women complain that their knees ache before every change in the weather, others complain that they cannot bend over without experiencing discomfort. Experienced trainers know: all these symptoms are typical for people with low flexibility. Their cause: insufficient elasticity of the quadriceps, back muscles or ligaments of the iliopsoas. In such situations, any ointments, tablets and even massages bring only temporary relief. But stretching can solve the problem by eliminating not the symptom, but the cause.

Interestingly, back pain can plague even girls who spend a lot of time in the gym, but do not pay due attention to stretching exercises.

In this case, it is impossible to perform most strength exercises: squats, lunges correctly. The technique is distorted, and at best, training will not strengthen the muscle frame. At worst, they will provoke even more damage to the ligaments. Therefore, if after training you feel tension in your lower back, know: only stretching will help.

Resistance to stress

Everyday experiences undermine women’s health no worse than physical inactivity and poor nutrition. And now I have absolutely no strength for full-fledged workouts in the gym. But don’t rush to lie down on the sofa if you’re chronically tired; it’s better to sign up for a stretching class. A leisurely rhythm, calm music, smooth leisurely movements will relax you after a working day, relieve muscle tension and simply bring pleasure. If you exercise regularly, seasonal depression will not be scary. And very soon you will have the strength for more active training.

Psychologists can identify internal problems by body movements. But the pattern also works in the opposite direction: once you remove the muscle tension, psychological barriers gradually disappear.

Vivid sexual impressions

Fitness club regulars will whisper to you about these benefits of stretching after their first stretching workout. In fact, any physical activity increases libido. But exercises to develop flexibility especially actively stimulate the pelvic muscles, relieve tension and generally increase your own self-esteem. All this is reflected in behavior in bed and guarantees bright, passionate nights.

Professional help

If folk remedies and cosmetics do not help in the fight against stretch marks, you can resort to special professional procedures.

Laser resurfacing

The resulting stretch marks on the skin can be removed using a method that smoothes stretch marks using laser resurfacing.

Several months before the procedure, it is necessary to apply a cream with a high content of ascorbic acid to the skin.

The procedure is carried out in a hospital using anesthesia. The duration of the procedure is no more than an hour, and the patient is discharged only after 24 hours, followed by outpatient treatment for several weeks.

After such an operation, significant redness and swelling occur; cream must be applied to them.

You cannot sunbathe for 3 months, so it is better not to plan the procedure for the summer.

Chemical peeling

When stripes appear on the body of men or women, which are formed when the skin is stretched, one of the best methods of eliminating them is used - chemical peeling.

Chemical peeling is a cosmetic procedure aimed at rejuvenating and eliminating skin defects, for which chemicals are used that cause a controlled chemical burn of the skin to a specified depth.

The procedure is carried out exclusively under anesthesia and has contraindications (heart disease, vascular disease).

Chemical peels must be performed by suitably qualified physicians.

Harm and contraindications of stretching

For all its benefits, stretching puts a serious strain on the back and joints. Therefore, in some cases it is better to avoid stretching:

Contraindications:

Recovery period after fractures.
Dislocation of joints.
Spinal hernias.
Thrombophlebitis and varicose veins.
Arthrosis and arthritis during exacerbation.

The greatest harm during stretching comes from the desire to achieve the goal as quickly as possible. Stretching through tears inevitably leads to injury, as does improper exercise technique. If you want to do the splits, stop doing amateur activities! Stretching, especially at first, should be done under the guidance of an experienced instructor.

Causes of stretch marks in women

Why do stretch marks appear on the skin? The reasons for this defect in the fair sex are most often the following:

Rapid growth of the body. Primarily this is adolescent development, during which bone mass increases faster than muscle mass. At the same time, the skin in places where the greatest growth is observed (usually the hips and chest) begins to stretch greatly.
Sudden weight change. As body weight increases, fat cells rapidly form, forming directly under the skin. The epidermis does not grow as quickly. As a result of this, it begins to stretch and its fibers break in some places. Striae can also occur with sudden weight loss. Fat deposits disappear and the skin sags. Creases and folds form, due to which the fibers of the skin can also tear.
Pregnancy. During the most beautiful and crucial period, a woman’s skin components change. As a result, the epidermis loses its elasticity. Striae may appear in places of greatest stretching (chest, abdomen).
Heredity. The composition and structure of the skin can be genetically transmitted. Therefore, if the older generation in the family has stretch marks on the skin, there is a very high probability of stretch marks developing in their children. In this case, it is recommended to carry out preventive procedures to prevent the occurrence of such defects.
Wrong diet. The lack of protein responsible for the formation of elastin and collagen in the body leads to loss of skin elasticity. The covers do not stretch well. In this case, stretch marks may form where the skin fibers break.
Lack of water in the body. When dehydrated, the skin becomes dry. Using various moisturizers will not correct the situation until the epidermis receives moisture from the inside. Remember: if the skin is not filled with water from the inside, external moisturizing does not make sense.

How to get rid of stretch marks?

The duration of the process of getting rid of stretch marks depends on the quality of the skin (degree of elasticity), the size of the stretch marks, and the timeliness of starting treatment. It usually takes at least six months to get rid of them.

Fresh, pink and purple defects are the easiest to remove. After all, they are still involved in blood circulation and lend themselves well to regenerative procedures. Old white stretch marks are almost impossible to remove. But with the help of some means they can be made less noticeable, almost invisible.

Who is indicated for laser treatment of striae?

Many people think that stretch marks on the body appear only after pregnancy, but this is not true. Indeed, almost 60% of women face such a problem as stretch marks after childbirth, but pink scars on the body can also appear under the influence of other factors, for example, when taking hormonal medications or drugs from the group of anabolic steroids. Very often, stretch marks appear in athletes who strive to build muscle mass in a short time (in this case, stretch marks are most noticeable on the inside of the arms, in the shoulder girdle), as well as in children who are rapidly gaining weight and are obese.

In athletes, stretch marks may appear in the shoulder area

In the absence of contraindications, laser treatment of stretch marks can be recommended for the following categories of patients:

people suffering from hormone-dependent diseases or forced to take hormonal medications for a long time;
women after childbirth (only after completion of lactation and not earlier than six months after the birth of the child);
patients who have suddenly gained weight or, conversely, lost a large number of extra pounds in a short period of time;
adolescents with body weight that does not correspond to age-specific anthropometric standards.

Note! Laser therapy in adolescence is usually carried out no earlier than 16 years of age, but if there are emergency indications and there are no restrictions, the doctor may allow treatment for patients starting from the age of fourteen.

The doctor prescribes laser treatment after a thorough examination.

Myth 5: Bandage is the best prevention of stretch marks during pregnancy

The need to wear a bandage during pregnancy is determined by a gynecologist. This medical accessory is designed to support the muscle corset. It cannot “fix” the skin, its smallest cells, and thereby prevent ruptures of connective tissue and the appearance of stretch marks.

The bandage has a beneficial effect on muscle tone, but if the size or shape is chosen incorrectly, it can even cause harm to the skin. Constant friction, pressure and excessive sweating are common problems.

Verdict: not true.

What does the result depend on?

Removal of stretch marks directly depends on how long ago they appeared. It is completely possible to get rid of stretch marks only if they appeared less than a year ago. The effectiveness of the treatment also depends on the choice of healing technique for problem areas of the skin.

To eliminate stretch marks, an integrated approach should be used, since one method will not be enough. Long-standing stretch marks can be made less pronounced using cosmetic procedures: chemical or laser peeling, as well as other techniques. Creams and gels cannot completely remove scars and stimulate skin regeneration.

Striae do not pose a threat to human life and health, but they look unaesthetic and can cause moral discomfort to their owner. Stretch marks form due to many external (trauma, skin damage) and internal (pregnancy, hormonal imbalances) reasons. At the first sign of a problem, it is important to begin taking a set of actions as soon as possible to eliminate the progression of the process.

Features of the occurrence of stretch marks in adolescents

Unfortunately, even children can develop stretch marks. What is this in adolescents and why do such defects appear on young skin?

Stretch marks in children occur for various reasons, sometimes different from the sources of stretch mark formation in adults:

As a result of hormonal changes in adolescence, weight increases rapidly and height increases. In teenagers who are growing and gaining weight rapidly, stretch marks may form. After all, the skin stretches excessively.
As you gain weight, the formation of fat mass increases. At the same time, the skin stretches and stretch marks may appear. They form in places where connective tissue has replaced the epidermis. Often in adolescence, girls develop stretch marks on rapidly growing mammary glands, thighs, buttocks, and abdomen.
Adolescents leading a sedentary lifestyle. As a result of physical inactivity, excess weight gain occurs. This also contributes to the development of stretch marks.
During adolescence, the child's body produces the hormone cortisol. If its synthesis exceeds the norm, then stretch marks may appear on the skin. Therefore, in adolescence it is necessary to check hormonal levels. Especially if striae begin to form during puberty. In this situation, you just need to see a doctor.

However, you must understand that stretch marks are not always harmless. What it is is known to every dermatologist. They do not always indicate the factors described above. If a teenager has stretch marks in the back area, this may be an indicator of pathologies in the internal organs. Most often, the appearance of such stretch marks occurs as a result of poor development of the spinal muscles. But to rule out internal diseases, you should definitely consult a specialist and undergo the prescribed diagnostics.

Types of stretching

All stretching exercises can be divided into three main categories:

Static stretching
. Having taken a certain position, a person freezes for several seconds, and sometimes minutes, concentrating on the muscles involved.
Dynamic stretching
. These are soft springy movements, the amplitude of which becomes wider with each approach.
Ballistic stretch
. Wide swinging movements with legs or arms that are repeated many times. Typically, it is these exercises that make up the warm-up plan.

Statistical stretching makes joints and ligaments more elastic and develops overall flexibility. Dynamic and ballistic varieties are aimed at improving agility, increasing muscle strength and strength.

What it is?

Stretch marks are an external cosmetic defect that has a scientific name - stretch marks on the skin. They mainly form in places of greatest tension - on the stomach and hips, and can occur on the legs and butt.

Few people manage to avoid stretch marks during pregnancy; this is facilitated by rapid weight gain and hormonal changes. After childbirth, stretch marks can be noticed on the chest, back and even on the arms.

Human skin consists of three layers:

The outer layer is the epidermis, it itself is a barrier from the external environment and is responsible for protecting the body.
The middle layer is the dermis, consisting of connective tissue fibers, giving the skin firmness and elasticity.
The inner layer is the hypodermis, which is a layer between the dermis and internal organs. It consists of loose connective tissue or fatty tissue.

Striae form in the middle connective layer. Rapid stretching of the skin is accompanied by rupture of the dermis, and the body often does not have enough of its own resources to fill and restore these microdamages.

At the initial stage , the lesions are brightly colored and have a pink or reddish tint.

Over time, that is, after several months or years, the marks fade and permanent scars form.

Kinds

Experts distinguish the following types:

- New ones, they have a purple or reddish tint, they occur during the healing of connective tissue at the sites of ruptures in the collagen and elastin fibers of the skin. There is an established pattern that the larger the size of the scar, the more intense its color will be. These are called stretch marks on the body that are no more than one year old. They are easiest to cure even in the most harmless ways.

- Old ones, they are lighter in color. This is the name for stretch marks that are more than one year old. Loss of color in scars is caused by the emptying of blood vessels directly in the stretch marks. Old tears, even if tanned, will have a light shade, since there is no pigment production in the connective tissues.

Myth 6: A solarium will “cure” stretch marks.

Fact!

Stretch marks are a cosmetic defect that does not pose a threat to human health. If they do not bother you, it is not necessary to treat them in the classical sense of the word.

Everything is exactly the opposite. Stretch marks are areas with deep-pigmented skin, so against the background of a tanned skin, not only will they not go away, but they will become even brighter. But that is not all! Ultraviolet radiation, both artificial (in a solarium) and natural, is an additional risk for skin health.

If your skin is prone to the formation of stretch marks, your task is to minimize the facts that may contribute to their formation. Long exposure to the sun and tanning in a solarium worsen the condition of the skin, contribute to the disruption of the lipid mantle and dehydration of the skin, so be careful!

Verdict: not true.