Why Do Stretch Marks Appear and How to Take Care of Such Skin

Why Do Stretch Marks Appear and How to Take Care of it?

Summer is here, and we all want to look our best. And one of the things that bother many women when the time for sunbathing comes is stretch marks. Of course, they're quite natural and quite common, too. While they're not harmful or painful, most women would rather not have them. So, there is nothing wrong with you wanting to do something about them either! If that's the case with you, you've come to the right place. In this article, we'll explore everything you need to know about these marks on your skin. Firstly, why do stretch marks appear? And then how to prevent them and take care of such skin?

What causes the appearance of stretch marks?

There are many high-quality skin care products that can help you keep your skin fresh and glowing. However, your skin routine has nothing to do with the appearance of stretch marks. Essentially, stretch marks are the type of scarred tissue that appears when your skin stretches or shrinks quickly. When that happens, elastin and collagen that support our skin can rupture and leave scars as the skin heals. The most common places where they show up are:

• stomach
• breasts
• thighs
• buttocks
• upper arms

Sometimes, the reasons for their appearance are genetics or hormones. For example, stretch marks are often common in people with Cushing's disease or Marfan syndrome. Also, the level of cortisol, a hormone produced by adrenal glands, can negatively impact our skin's elasticity and cause stretch marks to appear. Apart from that, they can show up on your skin for several other reasons.

Puberty growth spurts

Puberty is the period when our bodies grow and develop. Our bodies undergo many changes and need to adapt to the new circumstances on many levels. And as you probably know, our skin is one of our largest and most sensitive organs.

So, in puberty, as our bodies develop quickly, our skin sometimes can't keep up with the pace. Grow spurts cause the skin to stretch, and marks can appear.

Pregnancy

However, most women get their first stretch marks during pregnancy. After all, all that eating for two often causes a significant weight gain. Even if you don't put on too many extra pounds, your belly will grow to accommodate a new life growing within you. As a result, our skin stretches, and marks appear. Fortunately, these marks often fade or even completely disappear about six months after delivery.

Stretch marks are very common during pregnancy

Sudden weight loss or gain

When does your skin go through the most significant changes? Of course, it happens when your weight shifts rapidly. Contrary to what some people think, stretch marks don't only appear when you gain weight. They can show up when you lose pounds, too—or rather, they become more visible when that happens.

However, not every weight change will result in these unwanted marks. If you gain or lose weight gradually, your skin has enough time to adjust to the changes. As a result, it keeps its elasticity and stays firm and mark-free.

What do stretch marks look like?

How stretch marks look depends on several factors. Generally, they appear as indented lines or streaks of a different color than your skin tone. However, their width and length, as well as the area they cover, can vary greatly. Some women will have a few thin, short lines, while in others, they can be thicker and longer or cover a larger area.

Additionally, they can be of different colors - from purple and red to pink or white. What color and how pronounced they'll be, depends on your skin color, the body part where they appear, and your skin's elasticity.

How to prevent the stretch marks from happening?

Well, as you already know, a healthy and active lifestyle will do wonders for you. Not only will you feel better and more energetic, but your body will function and look better, too. This includes your body shape, hair, and, of course, your skin! Here are a few valuable tips to help prevent stretch marks from appearing in the first place!

 Exercising will help you keep a healthy weight and prevent stretch marks

Controlling your weight

While some things are out of our control, you may minimize the chances of appearing of stretch marks by regular exercising! Keeping your weight on the optimal level will prevent the skin from stretching rapidly and help you keep yourself in top shape.

Unfortunately, this may be a challenging task for many women. With our busy lifestyles, finding the time to work out regularly can be too much. If this is the case with you, consider building a home gym. Of course, renovations can be messy, so make sure you put your belongings in the right storage during this project. Pros can take care of your items in Brooklyn while choosing the right gym equipment and cute outfits. Once the remodeling is done, you'll have the gym you can hop to any time it suits you!

Healthy diet

Another method that will help you keep your weight in check (and stretch marks away) is choosing a healthy diet! This includes a lot of fruit, vegetables, healthy fats, and whole grains.

However, you can add extra focus on foods that boost your skin health. Foods that are rich in zinc, proteins, and vitamins A, C, D, and E have beneficial effects on our skin, so ensure to include them in your diet.

Hydration is vital

Water is essential for our bodies' proper functioning. What's more, it will ensure your skin stays hydrated and soft. And that, in return, will prevent the stretch marks. Soft skin is suppler and has more elasticity than dry skin, and these are exactly the qualities you want. Stay away from caffeinated drinks and drink more water and herbal teas.

Drink enough water to keep your skin hydrated and soft

Treat fresh stretch marks as soon as they appear

As with all scar tissue, your best chance to minimize the stretch marks is while they're fresh. Have a chat with your doctor or dermatologist to see what treatment would work best for you. An excellent stretch marks diminisher will make them far less noticeable and boost your beach time enthusiasm at the same time!

Why do stretch marks appear—the bottom line

Developing stretch marks is nothing to be ashamed of. It's a natural phenomenon that happens to most women during their lifetime. However, if you want to do something about them, there is no reason why you shouldn't. Check out tips for preventing and treating stretch marks, and enjoy being you this summer!