What are stretch marks?
Stretch marks, or Striae Distensae as they are known in dermatology, are a form of scarring on the skin caused by a tearing of the dermis, usually associated with rapid growth or weight gain.
This means that the most common sufferers of stretch marks are pregnant women (as if they didn’t have enough to deal with already!) but stretch marks can also effect many others.
Teenagers going through puberty often experience stretch marks, and it’s not just women, men can also be affected. Anyone experiencing rapid muscle growth (a real downer for those who are going to the gym to get fit and buff, only to find they are getting stretch marks on those new muscles), and also those who have a period of weight gain or rapid weight loss.
Stretch marks most often appear as reddish or purplish lines on the skin, and can be totally painless, or irritable, itchy and tender, depending on the person, the place affected and the situation that caused the marks. They can appear anywhere on the body, but most common places are the abdomen, breasts, upper and underarms, thighs and buttocks. They pose no health risk at all, but they can have serious psychological effect on a person’s self-image, confidence and self-esteem.
What effect do they have?
Stretch marks have no health risks associated with them, but as they are a form of scarring and change the appearance of the body, there are several psychological factors to consider.
Pregnant women, who are already experiencing vast body and hormonal changes can find getting stretch marks to be incredibly troubling, and can seriously affect self-esteem and body image. Post pregnancy, stretch marks can cause depression and poor body image, and many women feel they have to avoid situations they previously enjoyed such as sports and beach activities, wearing strappy dresses, and even intimate relations can be affected, as many women become shy or ashamed about revealing their bodies to their partners.
Men can also be affected by stretch marks, and can also experience all of the above psychological effects. While taking preventative steps is very rare in men, as few will anticipate getting stretch marks, those who have already been affected may want to reduce the appearance of stretch marks on the body using topical treatments.
Teenagers, and specifically teenage girls can also really benefit from stretch mark prevention or treatments. With all the hormonal changes and image issues young people have to deal with, the appearance of stretch marks can be very damaging to a teenager’s self-esteem, during a period when a good body image is incredibly important. A stretch mark prevention regime, or treatment of current stretch marks can be incredibly beneficial to teenage and pubescent young people.
Can Stretch Marks Really be Treated?
There are lots of miracle cures available that claim to cure a plethora of skin ailments. Unlike all the controversy surrounding ‘anti-aging’ creams, wrinkle creams, weight loss creams and other untested and dubious products, there has actually been studies done on stretch mark products. The studies published in the International Journal of Cosmetic Science have revealed that products containing the ingredients vitamin E, panthenol, hyaluronic acid, elastin and menthol have been highly successful in preventing stretch marks from appearing in pregnant women, and other published studies have shown these products to have much success in reducing the appearance of stretch marks in both men and women who already had been affected by stretch marks.