Stretch Marks

Stretch marks occur in the dermis when collagen fails to form fast enough to keep skin supported and taut. The result is tearing on a dermal level. Stretch marks are often the result of pregnancy or rapid weight gain and loss. A stretch mark can be red or purplish at first and then fade to a smooth silver or white tone. Found on the stomach, buttocks, hips or arms, they are not painful and stretch marks cause no health problems later in life. Although they do not completely fade, with time, a healthy diet and a good body skin care regimen, they tend to become less and less noticeable.

While there is much debate on what exactly causes stretchmarks, it is the belief that glucocorticoids released during a hormonal state slow fibroblasts from making the collagen that the dermis so desperately needs for support. During states where the skin is rapidly expanding, such as pregnancy, the production of collagen is not there for support. This results in an irreparable stretching of the dermis. After the hormonal state is over and the rapidly expanding skin goes back down to normal size, the streaks left behind are soft and somewhat wrinkled, the color in them fading after a certain amount of time.

While they are fairly common, many consider stretch marks unsightly and work at preventing them or do what they can so stretch marks go away. Many skin care lines market stretch mark cream for dealing with stretch marks before they happen. There has not been much proof as to what will prevent a stretch mark. Stretch mark prevention creams consisting of vitamin E and other collagen boosting ingredients tend to be the most popular in stretch mark reviews. Whether these preventive creams help or not, it never hurts to have good body skin care habits to improve and keep the skin's texture healthy on all levels.

One of the most popular skin care queries is on how to get rid of stretch marks. Stretch mark removal is an especially important topic for those who have given birth. Those with severe stretch marks who have tried every stretch mark remover on the market find their best option is laser surgery for stretch marks. By going online one can find a gentler remedy for stretch marks by looking up the words home made mark remedy and stretch. This can also be said about the words mark stretch and treatment. There is no doubt that when it comes to stretch marks, treatment for the skin condition is wide and varied.