Stretch marks - what are they? Ways to combat them

Rozstepy

Stretch marks skin defect that affects almost every woman, rarely men. Mainly adolescent girls and pregnant women.

Stretch marks are broken connective tissue, the place of the tear is soft. They are formed as a result of breaking the binder made of mucopolysaccharides, connecting collagen fibers. This defect is formed during the disappearance of skin elasticity, which is a consequence of the destruction of elastic fibers. These changes are mainly linear, parallel or slightly radial, the older the less regular.

Where are they

  • lateral parts of the abdomen in pregnant women
  • hips
  • thighs
  • breasts
  • buttocks
  • inner ud
  • calves
  • arms
  • lower back

Who has:

  • in older people - degeneration, loss of elastic fibers
  • obese women
  • 90% pregnant women
  • after losing weight rapidly
  • after treatment with corticosteroids - especially in the form of ointments and dressings
  • during or after severe systemic diseases
  • invalid weight loss
  • puberty
  • adolescence (70% girls and 40% boys)
  • in Cusching syndrome - a disease caused by excessive secretion of hormones from the adrenal cortex
  • under prolonged stress

Circumstances favoring the formation of stretch marks:

Innate

  • genetic disposition
  • little skin
  • shaky endocrine system

Acquired

  • unbalanced one-sided diet, low in minerals and vitamins
  • lack of skin care (massages, baths, exercise)
  • rapid weight gain (3rd trimester of pregnancy)
  • rapid muscle and bone growth during puberty

Difference of stretch marks

And parameter

An important role in the differentiation of stretch marks is played by color. Young stretch marks, i.e. up to 3 months after their appearance, are red or blue-red, as time goes on they become paler, and after 6 months they are white or pearly white.

The next stage is the formation of changes in beige, meringue-caramel color, which corresponds to scarring changes correlated with the permanent reorganization and degeneration of the dermis and subcutaneous tissue.

II parameter

In pregnant women, changes evolve faster or slower in terms of color and course. In Cusching syndrome, the lesions may always be blue-red.

III parameter

The depth of changes is closely related to the disturbance of all layers of the skin and the durability of the processes.

How to avoid stretch marks

  • Keep fit, don't be overweight
  • Live an active lifestyle since childhood
  • Regular massages during high risk periods
  • Cosmetics that improve skin elasticity of the whole body
  • Proper nutrition
  • Vitamins from group A, B, E and minerals, i.e. Zn, Cr, Fe, Mg

Methods of combating stretch marks

  • Regulation of hormone levels - only under the supervision of an endocrinologist
  • Pharmacotherapy to make the skin more elastic with preparations that are preferably neutral to the rest of the body, e.g. hypoallergenic and do not leave any "deposits" in the body
  • Cryotherapy
  • Surgical removal of stretch marks

Cosmetic methods of combating stretch marks

  • Microdermabrasion, dermabrasion
  • Electrostimulation
  • Chemical exfoliation
  • Ultrasounds
  • Injections from the placenta - most effective for fresh stretch marks
  • Mesotherapy
  • Massages (manual, endodermic)
  • Laser Therapy
  • Carboxytherapy (up to 97% effective in reducing stretch marks)

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