Little Known Facts About Stretch Marks

What We Know About Stretch Marks, And You Should Too!

Stretch marks – can’t live with them and can’t live without them…. Well actually that is not true, we would happily live out the rest of our lives without them alas, they keep showing up whether we like it or not. In fact, about 80% of people have them, that is a very high number. Stretch Marks typically show up due to stretching of the skin that happens when our bodies develop/change or lose or gain weight. Pregnancy is a time of huge body change so a lot of women, 90% to be precise, develop stretch marks during this time (we wrote in detail about pregnancy and stretch marks in a previous post)

Since stretch marks form on the dermis, the middle layer of the skin, it is much more difficult to get rid of them than other skin imperfections that are on the surface. In fact, for a very long time, there wasn’t anything we could do to prevent or get rid of them. There is, however, new technology, such as in Silk’n Lipo, that can help eliminate stretch marks and even help prevent their development. Silk’n Lipo devices utilize cutting edge Radio Frequency (RF) technology that reaches deeper than other skincare products, all the way to the dermis layer of the skin, to stimulate collagen production and blood circulation to rejuvenate and restore elasticity to your skin producing smoother and firmer looking skin.

Now let’s take a look at the little-known facts about stretch marks – may they finally shed light on the mystery of stretch marks for you:

Hormone levels can cause the development of stretch marks

Since hormones are responsible for creating elastin fibers and collagen in the skin (the stretching agents), when there is a fluctuation in hormone levels, elasticity may decrease causing the development of stretch marks.

When you lose weight stretch marks don’t disappear

Stretch Marks are like scars on the middle layer of the skin, so no matter your size those suckers are there for good.

Genetics play a large role in the development of stretch marks

If you have a genetic predisposition to stretch marks, you can develop them regardless of your weight or hormones.

Drinking a lot of water and eating well can help prevent stretch marks

Being well hydrated is essential for skin elasticity, so if you want to help your body stay stretch mark free, or at least minimize them, then drink a lot of water. Also, foods that are known to be good for skin health, like Vitamin C and zinc can also help in preventing stretch marks.

Moderate exercise is better than intense exercise for the avoidance of stretch marks

As stated before stretch marks are likely to develop when the body dramatically and quickly changes (and the skin can’t keep up), so slow and steady exercise is best at keeping the changes slow and steady as well, giving your skin time to adjust without damage.

You can be thin and still get stretch marks

Yes, gaining weight can cause stretch marks, BUT stretch marks can develop for other reasons as well, like genetics or hormones. So being skinny does not automatically mean ripple free.

An underlying illness may be the cause of stretch marks

There are actually many diseases that have a negative effect on the skin thus increasing the possibility of stretch marks. Cushing’s syndrome causes hormones to be overproduced, which can weaken the skin. Marfan syndrome weakens the skin due to a defective gene. Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) affects the proteins in the skin, making it vulnerable to stretching.