Stretch Mark Cream

Shold you use stretch marks creams?

Most women, especially the ones who like wearing bikinis, are horrified with the sight of stretch marks in their bodies. Study shows that stretch marks are dreaded more than having cellulites. These pink or reddish and sometimes itchy streaks seem to develop on their breasts, arms, hips and abdomen specifically during pregnancy. However, application of stretch marks cream to susceptible areas or parts of the body practically does help.

Referred to as striae (stria) in dermatology, stretch marks are a form of scarring on the skin resulting in an irritated appearance. They first recur as reddish or purple lines although later, the marks appear to be white and without pigmentation. As the name implies, stretch marks are usually caused by the stretching of the skin due to a large or rapid increase in weight during pregnancy, rapid growth during puberty and muscle building. Occurring in the dermis, the middle layer that helps the skin retain its shape, stretch marks may appear in any part of the body. Most likely though, it shows in areas where large amounts of fats are stored like your abdomen (especially near the belly button), breasts, upper arms, under arms, thighs (both inner and outer), hips and your buttocks.

One of the plausible causes of this ghastly appearance on your skin is the continuous and progressive stretching of weakened skin. Apparently this leads to an excessive discharge of inflammatory mast cells residing within the connective tissues and ready to react due to damaged skin. Another cause is hormonal imbalance. There are hormonal imbalances that can lead to fragile skin. When the enzyme collagenase, or the enzyme that determines how many collagen fibers are in place to support the tissue, is compromised by hormonal imbalances, your skin becomes ruptured or weakened and results to an enzymatic disorder.

Whatever the cause, there are some suggestive measures you can practice in order to avoid having stretch marks. Proper diet is a factor that anyone can retain control of in the development of stretch marks. Using stretch marks cream is also recommended as prevention. A study has been published that daily application of creams containing centenella asiatica extract, vitamin E, and collagen-elastin hydrolysates resulted in fewer stretch marks during pregnancy. Another study examined lotions containing vitamin E, panthenol, hyaluronic acid, elastin and menthol shows less visible stretch marks against no treatment at all.

The recipe for success for stretch mark prevention is to strengthen the skin while safely moderating the inflammatory response and this can be done by topical application. Skin care products such as creams, gels, or ointments, can be applied safely on the abdomen and breast during pregnancy and without side effects to the mother or child. Daily usage of creams softens and dissolves existing damaged tissues that show up in the surface of the skin. Using moisturizers trigger the rebuilding of collagen and elastin levels by activating fibroblasts, the cells responsible for healthy skin.

So in order to avoid and prevent striae, the use of stretch marks cream that are highly available in the market today, is recommended. Consistent daily usage for a month or two may yield positive effects and gradually fade those ugly stretch marks on your skin.