Dermatology-Online

Stretch marks

definition

Stretch marks are damage to the subcutaneous tissue. By strong, quick stretch, for example during growth, pregnancy or with rapid weight gain, the Tear subcutaneous tissue and form scars. These scars are usually permanent.

During pregnancy, these stretch marks are natural and affect almost all mothers. The reddish or purple discoloration that appears at the beginning is due to blood vessels. Over time, the scars will fade and the red color will subside.

Causes of stretch marks

The direct cause of stretch marks, as the name suggests, is excessive stretching of the subcutaneous tissue.

This can happen through pregnancy and is then called Striae gravidarum. In addition to the increase in size of the abdomen and breasts, there is also a hormonal weakness of the connective tissue during pregnancy.
The growth spurt during puberty can also lead to stretch marks. In this case the scars are called Striae adolescentium.
Stretch marks caused by being overweight are called Striae obesitas.

There are various risk factors for stretch marks that make them more likely to develop under the conditions mentioned above. Genetic weakness in connective tissue can increase the likelihood of developing stretch marks. During one Cortisone therapy stretch marks also occur more quickly. With some diseases, stretch marks are also a typical symptom. This includes that Cushing's Syndrome or Obesity. At a Therapy with ACTH the elasticity of the subcutaneous tissue also decreases. Not just an increase in body fat can lead to stretch marks - one too Muscle gain in bodybuilders can have the same effect.

Learn more about: Connective tissue weakness

treatment

Basically, stretch marks cannot be completely removed. Taking vitamin A or applying ointment containing vitamin A can improve scar regression. However, this is supposed to not used during pregnancy be as it is harm unborn child can.

Learn more at: Remove stretch marks

Very bulging and large scarring can be partially flattened with lasers or cryotherapy. Trichloroacetic acid can also be used to flatten bulging stretch marks.

Find out more about this treatment option at: Fruit acid peeling

Light scars remain lifelong, but in the long run they become noticeably paler and less noticeable.

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Laser treatment

Stretch marks can be treated with laser therapy paler and more inconspicuous become. In most cases, however, the stretch marks cannot be completely removed. The skin is irradiated with high-energy light pulses and the rays penetrate into the lowest skin layers. The healing process in the skin is activated and the skin forms new collagen.

The laser beams are no longer applied over a wide area, but fractionated. After the treatment, the skin is initially still irritated and may appear reddish. Solar radiation should be avoided in the period after exposure. In most cases, one treatment is not enough. Some sufferers need three treatments, others five, before they get the desired result.

Laser therapy for the stretch marks is not covered by health insurance, but has to be paid for yourself. The costs per treatment are in the high double-digit to low triple-digit range. The treatment is not critical for nursing mothers. Laser treatment is only recommended if those affected suffer from large, bulging stretch marks. Stretch marks usually turn pale on their own.

Cream against stretch marks

There is a whole range of ointments that are either intended to prevent the formation of stretch marks or to soften existing stretch marks. Moisturizers can be used to strengthen connective tissue during pregnancy. Greasy body butter can also prevent stretch marks. An ointment containing vitamin A can help treat stretch marks. This supports the regression of the scars. Another ointment is the Bepanthen® scar roller.

also read: Strengthen connective tissue through nutrition

Oil against stretch marks

The connective tissue and blood circulation in the skin can be strengthened by massages with oil and thus stretch marks can be prevented. The oils are recommended Sesame, almond and coconut. Also olive oil, Cocoa butter and Beeswax can strengthen the skin.

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Pregnant women in particular are advised to regularly carry out skin care with oils. The oils should be pure and contain no chemical additives. There are some recipes on the Internet for making your own suitable oil blends.

Typical regions

The parts of the body that are particularly affected by stretch marks are those that are exposed to heavy loads and that can also quickly store fat - these include the stomach, buttocks and chest. However, stretch marks are not a cause for shame. They are completely natural and can be found on almost every body.

Stretch marks on the buttocks

Stretch marks occur particularly in heavily stressed areas of the body. On the buttocks, stretch marks can develop due to weight gain and rapid growth. However, striae obesitatis predominantly occurs on the buttocks, i.e. a development due to obesity. The stretch marks mostly appear in the lower area of the buttocks at the transition to the thighs and in the upper area at the transition to the hips. The stress on the connective tissue is also greatest in these areas. The extra fatty tissue pulls on the connective tissue and the skin.

While the skin can withstand the stretch well, the connective tissue cannot keep up. Often, those affected do not notice the stretch marks at first because they are in an area that is not easily visible. In many cases, young women suffer from the stretch marks in addition to the weight gain. Some people suffer so much that they develop depression. The support of a psychologist should be sought. Stretch marks remain lifelong, but become paler and less noticeable over time. Weight reduction is necessary to avoid further stretch marks.

Find out more at: Stretch marks on the buttocks

Stretch marks on the abdomen

The abdomen is one of the parts of the body that is most commonly affected by stretch marks in both men and women. For men, this is Striae Obesitatis, i.e. connective tissue damage caused by obesity. These can only be prevented by weight reduction. Almost all women have after pregnancy Striae gravidarum. During pregnancy, the skin and the connective tissue stretch very quickly within a short period of time. However, since this stretch is known beforehand, women can at least partially prevent this development. Massages with different oils and ointments and so-called plucking massages can strengthen the connective tissue. Heavy weight gain during pregnancy should be avoided as this is another risk factor for stretch marks. Regular exercise and a balanced diet can strengthen the connective tissue so that fewer stretch marks appear during pregnancy.

Stretch marks on the chest

Men and women can also develop stretch marks on the chest. As with the belly, these are different in their origin.Women with large breasts often have stretch marks above the breast even under normal conditions. As a preventive measure, the women affected can wear well-adapted sports bras, especially when exercising, and thus stabilize their breasts. During pregnancy, women with smaller breasts also get stretch marks in the chest area because the breast increases in size quickly and the connective tissue cannot keep up. In addition, there is a hormonal weakness of the connective tissue during pregnancy. Stabilizing bras can also have a preventive effect here.

In men, the reason for breast stretch marks is usually due to significant weight gain and the associated increase in breast size. Bodybuilding can also lead to stretch marks in the chest area, as this is where the chest and arm muscles increase in size. Athletes who take muscle-building drugs are particularly at risk, as the size increase happens very quickly here. Preventive measures can also be oils here.

Stretch marks in men

Basically, both women and men can develop stretch marks. In society, stretch marks are often seen as a female problem as they are linked to pregnancy. In men, the reason for stretch marks is more likely to be rapid growth, obesity, and bodybuilding. During puberty, young men often experience strong growth spurts in a very short time, and this affects both the bones and the skin. This creates stretch marks in the skin. In this case, these are mostly circular around the legs, as it is a matter of length growth.

Overweight men have stretch marks on many parts of their bodies. The abdomen, chest, upper arms and thighs are particularly affected. The additional weight pulls on the skin because the connective tissue is not designed for this load. Connective tissue weaknesses can also occur in athletes. Muscle build-up happens too quickly and the connective tissue can tear, especially when taking muscle-building preparations. So stretch marks are by no means purely female and are completely natural.

Concomitant symptoms

The stretch marks themselves are not a disease, but a symptom. This symptom can be accompanied by other symptoms. Depending on the cause, these are different side effects. Growing youngsters can experience joint and bone pain. As with stretch marks, this is a sign of rapid growth in which not all parts of the body can keep up equally.

In pregnant women, the stretch marks come from the increase in volume on the abdomen and chest and weak connective tissue. Another symptom of this weak connective tissue is water retention in the legs. Both adolescents and pregnant women have hormonal mood swings.

With stretch marks due to being overweight, there are many other diseases caused by weight. Overweight people suffer more from circulatory diseases and joint problems.

In diseases of the adrenal cortex, such as the Cushing's diseasefurther acute symptoms can occur. In addition to stretch marks, those affected have problems with their muscles, blood pressure and develop osteoporosis more quickly. The same accompanying symptoms develop in one Cortisone therapy.

The side effects range from mild symptoms to life-threatening illnesses, depending on the cause.

diagnosis

The diagnosis of stretch marks is a purely clinical diagnosis. More precisely, this means that the stripes are visible to the naked eye and can be clearly assigned. If, unlike pregnancy, the cause is not clear, Cushing's syndrome must be ruled out. For this it must be tested whether the cortisone level in the blood is normal. A too high level of cortisone can weaken the connective tissue and thus lead to the stretch marks. In most cases there is no need to make a diagnosis, as those affected know the cause themselves.

Duration of stretch marks

Stretch marks don't usually go away completely. The healing speed is very different from one individual to the next, as the skin is different in every person. In individual cases, the scars are no longer visible later, while most of those affected keep the scars permanently. The scars usually begin to fade a few weeks to months after they appear. An exact time cannot be given.

Tattoos about stretch marks

Skin that has already been tattooed can be affected by stretch marks just like normal skin. If you gain weight or if you are pregnant, the connective tissue under the tattooed skin can tear and the areas become visible as scars. The stretch marks can also destroy the tattoo. This can be perceived as a greater burden for those affected than stretch marks on normal skin. While stretch marks usually fade, the damage to the tattoo remains permanently visible.

However, tattoos can also be used to cover stretch marks. Various tattoos can be found on the Internet, which are specifically used to hide or even emphasize stretch marks. Stretch marks caused by pregnancy in particular are proudly staged by some women as they represent a symbol of their motherhood. So stretch marks are not a reason for excluding tattoos. Stretch marks, like scars and signs of aging, are part of the complexion and can also get in the way of tattoos.