The Cause of Stretch Marks May Surprise You
The cause of stretch marks may not be as obvious as you think but, rest assured that they are not caused because of dry, irritated skin or some vitamin deficiency. Stretch marks are formed by the rapid stretching of the skin because of rapid growth (common in adolescence) or weight fluctuations. Surprisingly, studies indicate that 75% – 90% of females form stretch marks to various degrees during pregnancy alone. Stretch marks can occur in individuals of all age groups and nationalities. The reality of it all is that stretch marks are a natural part of growing up and various other life experiences, like pregnancy.
Stretch marks are also referred to as striae distensae. Medical terminology for these kinds of markings include striae atrophicae, vergetures, striae cutis distensae, striae gravidarum (in cases where it is caused by pregnancy), lineae atrophicae, striae distensae, linea albicante, or simply striae. The good news is that you can get rid of them to a certain degree though.
Stretch Marks and the Female Anatomy
Women often suffer from stretch marks on a number of parts on their body during the teen years and While pregnant. However, contrary to conventional wisdom, and their unfortunate name, the cause of stretch marks is not over-stretched skin. Women who are pregnant often experience stretch marks as the skin stretches at a rate too fast for the skin to keep up with. Obesity and weightlifting can also lead to the development of stretch marks as the body rapidly increases in size and weight.
Does Pregnancy Cause Stretch Marks
Pregnancy is a time when your body is changing quickly – both weight and shape. Pregnancy problems like stretch marks are common in many women with up to 90% experiencing some form of skin damage. The first signs are red or purplish streaks forming on your body, generally on your belly and breasts. The time of pregnancy is truly a wonderful time in a woman’s life, but this one aspect of child-bearing, however, is an unwelcome remembrance of an otherwise special moment.
An increase in weight and loss of weight can also change the seriousness of your stretch marks. A key factor is to keep yourself hydrated, as this will give elasticity to your skin and allow it to stretch further without damage. If you are experiencing a significant weight gain or loss, you can take a proactive approach by using stretch mark cream products to help prevent the development of the marks.
Also, bodybuilders, especially males, are prone to stretch marks appearing on their upper arms and shoulder areas when muscle mass is built up quickly. An effective stretch mark cream can give the skin additional flexibility and help deter stretch mark development.
Adolescents sometimes see the development of stretch marks due to the tremendous amount of growth they experience during teen years|that period of time in their life]. A natural approach to helping prevent stretch marks is to maintain healthy skin. This involves drinking lots of liquids and taking skin supporting supplements such as vitamin E.
Despite a number of activities leading to the development of stretch marks, weight gain and loss is still the primary cause. But fear not, there is still hope! A stretch mark prevention program consisting of stretch marks cream, drinking lots of water, and controlled weight changes can help reduce stretch mark development. This is truly a small price to pay to avoid stretch marks from ruining your self-confidence in the future.