Guide to Stretch Marks and Removal
Part of stretch marks removal involves understanding why and how they appear on your skin. This includes knowing how they affect not only the top but also other dermal layers.
Layers of Skin
You actually have three, not just one, layer of skin that covers your body. These are classified and described below:
Epidermis (top layer) - This is the dermal layer that everyone sees and where the stretch marks appear. The more technical name for this surface is the stratum corneum. This is the tough, waterproofed layer of the skin made up of deal cells that are periodically shed as new ones grow.
Dermis - This is the middle layer of your skin. It is what gives your skin its elasticity, shape, and strength. When your body produces enough collagen this dermal layer remains smooth and tight and prevents sagging or stretching.
Hypodermis - This is the third or inner layer of the skin. It is also known as the “subcutaneous tissue.” This is where the fat and connective tissue is stored, and this is where large blood vessels and nerves are located. This is the dermal layer, which regulates your body temperature.
The Formation
The formation of stretch marks happens as decline in collagen levels and decrease in elastic fibers causes lack of skin support. The result is tearing of the dermis and epidermis. This of course happens when the skin takes on more force than it can handle.
The Cause
The root cause of course is explained in the previous section of this article. Surface causes of stretch mark formation on the other hand include pregnancy and hormonal changes and/or obesity-at least for females.
Sometimes these scar-like formations appear men when they accumulate fat, too. Any hormonal change that causes weight gain can lead to stretch marks in either men or women.
The Treatment
Various forms of medical and non-medical solutions are offered to people struggling with this problem. Laser surgery is one that helps as long as the tear has not gone passed the first layer of the skin.
Another type of surgery used especially in the abdominal area is the tummy tuck, or similar treatments designed to correct areas where cellulite exists the most. Chemical peels and microdermabrasion treatments, which involve exfoliation of the skin, also seem to help.
Non-medical or non-spa treatment involves the use of some type of lotion or cream that consists of the right formula. Natural ingredients used in stretch marks removal creams include Vitamin E or Olive oils, Aloe Vera, Cocoa butter, Shea butter, or Siegesbeckia Orientalis.
All of these may be included in one solution or may be sold as standalone items. Either way, they seem to have moderate to excellent effectiveness when speaking of stretch mark removal.
Additional Tips
A well-balanced diet also seems to help. The most important point of eating the right foods is to make sure you cut down on usage of saturated fats and replace them with vegetable oils. You should also consider eating foods that are made of unsaturated fats such as nuts or avocados.
