Most women and some men have or will acquire stretch marks at some point in their lives. Genetics, weight gain, weight loss and weight lifting are all factors that determine the susceptibility for a person to develop stretch marks.
According to Medicine.net, stretch marks (also known as striae distensae) are indentations in the skin that occur from stretched skin in the dermis, the elastic middle layer of skin that allows it to retain its shape.
Dr. Jeanine Downie and Dr. Fran Cook-Bolden, authors of “Beautiful Skin of Color: A Comprehensive Guide to Asian, Olive, and Dark Skin” believe that when you’re growing, when you’re pregnant, and when you gain or lose weight, your hormones fluctuate. This may explain why women and adolescents going through puberty are more prone to stretch marks than men.
There is no tried and true cure for stretch marks. The best way to cope with stretch marks is to try to prevent them. Unfortunately, this is not entirely possible for most people.
Medicine.net lists avoiding rapid weight gain or loss, drinking lots of water to keep your skin hydrated and not indulging excess caffeine consumption are just some tips on preventing stretch marks. Medicine.net also recommends eating food rich in zinc such as nuts and fish.
Below are over-the-counter topical products that claim to lessen the effects, lighten and/or reduce the appearance of stretch marks.
- Mederma The claim: “It’s a greaseless, pleasant-smelling, topical gel that’s formulated to improve the appearance and feel of just about any kind of scar. Whether you have stretch marks from a pregnancy or a scar from surgery, MEDERMA® can help make your scar appear softer and smoother. No matter if it’s old or new.”
- Trilastin The claim: “Stretch Marks affect both men and woman. Choosing the best stretch mark cream to prevent or get rid of stretch marks is now a clear choice. TriLASTIN-SR® offers a Guaranteed Effective treatment for woman during pregnancy, bodybuilders, stretch marks from weight loss or any cause.”
- Palmer’s Coco Butter The claim: “Used daily, Palmer's Cocoa Butter Formula will help prevent future stretch marks from occurring. Our Palmer's Cocoa Butter Formula Massage Cream for Stretch Marks is specifically formulated for this use. The addition of Collagen and Elastin works with the body's own Collagen and Elastin to increase skin's elasticity. This product has been clinically proven to increase skin's moisturization and elasticity.”
Remember that nothing can completely erase stretch marks once you have them, but the above lotions and creams have proven to reduce the appearance of stretch marks for some.
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