Stretch marks are a dreaded side affect of rapid weight gain. When rapid weight gain on any part of the body and the skin is stretch beyond its limit stretch marks can appear. They are dreaded by many because they are unattractive and hard to get rid of.
Stretch marks are in fact a series of small scars. They appear when the collagen and the tissue below the skin surface is damaged from being stretched. Weight gain causes the skin to be stretched and at some point the tissue below the skin can actually tear. The healing of these tears is what causes the dreaded marks to appear. Many women get stretch marks during or after pregnancy. They often occur on the abdomen, breasts, thighs, and hips. Body builders tend to get stretch marks from muscle that is built too quickly mostly on the arms or legs. When the marks first appear they look red with slight indentions. Later they fade to a white or silvery color.
The only way to completely avoid stretch marks is to prevent rapid weight gain. At times when that is not possible, as with pregnancy, it is important to keep the skin well moisturized. Stretch mark creams with vitamin e, vitamin c, lanolin, and emu oil can help with moisturizing. Skin that is well moisturized will be more elastic.
Laser treatments are one remedy for stretch marks. These treatments are expensive though, and it can take more than six treatments to produce results. There are ingredients that can be used in creams that can help reduce the appearance of stretch marks. One good ingredient is Matrixyl. It has shown promising results in stretch mark reduction when used all by itself. Some natural ingredients like Vitamin e, aloe, and emu oil have been used for a long time to moisturize and prevent scaring. Combining these ingredients in a cream or serum may make them work even better. Skin penetration is increased when these oils and matrixyl are combined. It takes several months of regular use for several months to decrease the appearance of stretch marks.