Stretch marks are known in dermatology as striae, but to us they just represent something we want to get rid of! Stretch marks are a type of scarring that causes a discoloration of the skin. The tearing of the dermis is what causes them. If you are one of those who suffers from stretch marks it goes without saying that you would love to find the perfect solution. Let's become more knowledgeable about what stretch marks are, what causes them and how we can finally get rid of them.

What Causes Stretch Marks?

Stretch marks are often the result of the rapid stretching of the skin which is usually associated with rapid growth common in puberty, weight gain, or pregnancy. However, stretching alone is not the cause, they can also be influenced by changes in hormone levels as well as diet and exercise. Glucocorticoid hormones are those that influence stretch mark development as they prevent fibroblasts from forming collagen and elastin fibers. These fibers are necessary to keep rapidly growing skin taut. This combination of rapid growth and hormone changes leads to dermal and epidermal tearing.

What are the Symptoms of Stretch Marks?

Stretch marks commonly appear as reddish or purple lines that eventually fade into lighter shades until they turn white. Affected areas are soft to the touch and appear empty. Stretch mark scarring affects the dermis which is the resilient middle layer of skin that helps maintain skin shape. Stretch marks generally appear on areas that have the most fat which include the abdomen, breasts, upper arms, underarms, thighs, hips and buttocks.

What are Ways to Get Rid of Marks?

Several treatments are available to help reduce the appearance of existing stretch marks including laser treatments, microdermabrasion and prescription retinoids. Natural skin care products are also successful in both prevention and removal.

There is a new method of laser treatment done with fractional laser resurfacing, which offers treatment with scattered pulses of light that zap parts of the scar over the course of several treatments. This creates microscopic wounds which the body responds to by producing more collagen and epithelium. This method has been successful in reducing appearance, but does not completely remove the visibility of the stretch marks. When considering laser treatment, it is vital to also consider the pain and cost of therapy as it often requires multiple sessions.

A specially fitted tool is used in microdermabrasion treatment to scrape away the top layers of skin. A sand blasting technique is done with microscopic particles to firmly exfoliate the skin. Microdermabrasion stimulates the development of collagen and elastin, vital in smoothing and healing the skin. However, there are limitations to what microdermabrasion treatment can do for stretch marks. If your stretch marks are already mature and white, they will not respond well to microdermabrasion treatment and may not reduce in appearance at all. There are some natural home microdermabrasion creams that are worth considering and are also mentioned below.

Retinoids refer to products that contain retinol, an element known to increase collagen and elastin production. If massaged into red or purple areas, retinoids can improve the look and feel of stretch marks. However, this method is not effective once stretch marks have already reached a mature white stage.

Some natural stretch marks creams that have the right ingredients can work organically with your skin's natural systems to reduce stretch mark appearance. Organic products that boast the newest and most effective ingredient, Helix Aspersa Muller, promise to not only boost collagen and elastin, as do other methods, but also get rid of scar tissue, counteract effects of hormonal changes, and improve your skin's metabolism. The incredible work of messenger molecules and enzymes found only in certain natural products allow your skin to differentiate healthy cells from damaged cells and to dissolve those that are non-functional while stimulating elements needed to regenerate a healthy skin matrix. This all natural and comprehensive system promises to get rid of stretch marks so you can enjoy beautiful skin.