What is Stretch Marks?
Stretch marks are the state of damaged sin or scars on the body that arises due to experienced excessive stretching of the skin.

The skin consists of three main layers:

1. Epidermis: outer layer of skin that forms a barrier as protector to the inside of your body.

2. Dermis;: the middle layer of tough skin, which support the skin by providing strength and flexibility.

3. Subcutis: also known as hypodermic, a skin layer which consists of fat and connective tissue.

Excessively stretched of the skin in a short time will cause the elastic tissue in dermis skin layer ruptured due to thinning skin.
The emergence of stretch marks marked with the spread of blood vessels through dermis layer into a thin layer of epidermis.

Stretching alone is not the primary cause of the onset of stretch marks, other than trigger and influential in determining the place where the scar will appear and in what direction of formation.
And, hormone is the main cause of the onset of stretch marks.

Causes of stretch marks

Pregnant women, bodybuilders, adolescents at puberty, and also people who are experienced an increase and decrease in weight drastically, mostly will experience with this problem.

Due to hormonal changes in their bodies, where certain hormones are produced in excess can interfere with the production of collagen in the skin and causes a decrease in skin elasticity.
Stretch marks can be formed in areas where the skin elasticity is damaged.

In pregnant women, stretch marks usually appear in the abdominal area, thighs, hips, and buttocks.
Stretch marks appear initially as red lines and then slowly to a pale white color over several months.

Treatments of stretch marks

Even though stretch marks do not interfere with health, but the visible scar form on the skin causes most women feel very disturbed, especially in terms of appearance.

There are many options available in the world for stretch marks treatments, from stretch mark creams or pills, massages therapies, light or laser therapies, dermabrasion, and chemical peels.

The common use of stretch marks treatment and also cheap are through creams, pills, and massage therapies.
The purpose of stretch mark creams and pills are usually for strengthening, flexibility, and elasticity of the skin through deep penetrating of their ingredients into the skin cell layers to stimulates cell growth and production, and skin renewal.
Finally, it rejuvenates the skin structure and appearance.

For pregnant women, additional vitamin D3 and squalene oil are very helpful for them to keep the skin toned and healthy.

Additional of Aloe Vera also usually used to protect and soothe the skin, while moisturizing and healing at the same time.

Before choosing any types of creams or pills of stretch marks products, read the label of ingredients they used.
Some of those product only good for newer red or purple color of stretch marks. But, for older dark stretch mark, sometime they can do that. Therefore, choose the right creams is important to get effective results.

Massaging therapies usually needed to make the cream ingredients deep penetrate into the skin, while it also smoothen blood circulation, soothe the skin tension, and straightening foldaway of the skin.

For light or laser therapy, many of these procedures are approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
This therapy usually had a purpose to remove older dark stretch mark, and blends it to surrounding skin through the light that shoot the stretch mark area, and energy inside of the light or laser will stimulates collagen production to repair damage tissues caused the lighting process.

Despite painful effect from this therapy and high cost, including the result may not as expected, this therapy works good to remove older dark stretch mark.

Although this therapy has been approved by FDA, you are required to discuss with your doctor, whether this procedure works fine with you.

For dermabrasion, this procedure also had purpose to replace the dead skin cells through dermabrasion machine by surgeon.
Local anesthesia may needed before treatment. Hypoallergenic makeup also needed after treatment. The healing process can take up to 3 to 4 months.

Although there are risks for infection and excessive bleeding, most of surgeon has anticipated about this.

Unlike dermabrasion, microbrasion more less pain.
Generally, both of these procedures almost have similar works.
By using the compression and pump to spray the crystal into the skin, this procedure can be done by patient at home, although originally only done by surgeon. The healing process also can take up to 3 to 4 months.

For chemical peels, many of user reported unsatisfied with the results. Elasticity skin hard to achieved with this procedure, while may costing the user up to $800.

Some traditional treatments are also effective in overcoming stretch marks.
You can use 1 teaspoon of lime juice then mixed with whiting to be a viscous liquid (be careful, don’t too thick because it will give hot sensation and can burn the skin).
Apply this viscous fluid in the abdomen gently.
Perform this therapy two times a day after bathing.

Stretch marks prevention

There are several thing you can do to prevent stretch marks, including:

1. Apply moisturizer twice a day on the body, especially the stretched parts during pregnancy, such as the abdomen, breasts, buttocks, and hips.

Moisturizers work to maintain elasticity and firmness so that the collagen and protein in the lower layer of skin will not be damaged, though the skin had a pretty strong of stretching.

You can also use olive oil for your skin moisturizer naturally.

2. Regular exercise.
When pregnant, do moderate regular exercise, such as walking or swimming.
These types of exercise will strengthen the abdominal muscles and blood circulation in the stomach.

This situation makes collagen fibers and proteins in the lower layers of the skin is not easily broken even there is a strong stretching.
However, do not be too forced. If you feel tired, then immediately stop and rest while eating snacks and drinks.

3. Balanced diet.
Live with a healthy lifestyle and balance in dieting. Nutritious food is essential for pregnant women and during breastfeeding, including fat foods. But, don’t too much.
When you eat in moderate, it does not cause excessive fat in the abdomen. It will help expedite the repair process of collagen fibers and proteins in the lower layers of damaged skin during pregnancy, thus stretch marks quickly lost.

4. Increase nutrition for skin elasticity.
Inadequate needs for vitamins and minerals through vegetables and fruits, and drink at least 8 glasses of water per day.
In specific for this, you can see in other page in this site.