{"id":629,"date":"2023-01-07T15:05:44","date_gmt":"2023-01-07T15:05:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wordpress.beautycore.co.uk\/?p=629"},"modified":"2023-02-26T10:45:26","modified_gmt":"2023-02-26T10:45:26","slug":"stretch-marks","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/beautycore.co.uk\/2023\/01\/stretch-marks\/","title":{"rendered":"Everything you need to know about Stretch Marks"},"content":{"rendered":"
Unfortunately, stretch marks are a common skin condition that will affect most women during pregnancy, men and women that are bodybuilding and teens going through puberty. This is because skin undergoes changes that lead to the appearance of stretch marks.

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In men, stretch marks commonly form on the outer thigh and lower back, whilst in women they mainly form on the thighs, buttocks, abdomen (during pregnancy) and breasts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, as research has been done into prevention of stretch marks, this article will uncover the basis of these preventive treatments and we will discuss about stretch marks in greater detail.<\/p>\n\n\n

What are stretch marks?<\/h2><\/div>\n\n
Stretch marks occur during periods of rapid growth (or weight gain) that cause the skin to stretch. This growth eventually exceeds the skin elasticity properties, which eventually leads to the tearing of the dermis without the formation of lesions in the epidermis.<\/div>\n\n
To compensate for the breakage in tissue, the skin internally heals by forming scars at the dermal layer, also known as stretch marks.Stretch marks are initially red in colour and are slightly elevated during their active stage, before turning to a darker purple shade later. Ultimately, the marks will sink slightly below the normal skin and become shaded a light grey colour during their maturation stage. Naturally their appearance will reduce over time, but it is unlikely that they will entirely disappear.<\/div><\/div>
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Types of Stretch Marks<\/h2><\/div>\n\n
Stria Distensae are the commonest type of stretch mark and are composed of four different types: Striae Rubrae, Striae Alba, Striae Nigra, and Striae Caerulea.<\/span><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n
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Striae Rubrae <\/strong>are the marks seen during the early stages of Stria Distansae and have shown to be highly responsive to treatments, such as topically applying collagen stimulating products to reduce the marks\u2019 appearance in later stages. Collagen fibres in the skin become densely packed together in patterns of several lines running either parallel or perpendicularly. These lines are pigmented red and are slightly raised, usually being asymptomatic, but can cause itchiness. After several months \u2013 or potentially years \u2013 the marks become white or black, depending on the skin pigmentation of the person.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Striae Albae <\/strong>are irregularly shaped marks that occur in the mature stage of Stria Distansae. They are hypopigmented (shaded slightly lighter than normal skin tone) and are the hardest type to treat. The usual topical or laser treatments show little effect, but fractionated microneedle radiofrequency and fractional CO2<\/sub> laser combined treatments do show positive results. Over years they will fade naturally, reducing in appearance, to an extent.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Striae Nigra <\/strong>are pigmented black marks that only form on those with darkly pigmented skin. Currently there are no clear reasons behind their formation.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Striae Caerulea<\/strong> are pigmented dark blue and also only form on those with darkly pigmented skin.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Striae Gravidarum <\/strong>are wider than normal marks that occur during pregnancy. They are normally found on the abdomen, thighs, buttocks, and breasts. Most women start showing these marks around the 6th<\/sup> month of pregnancy, but they can form as early as the 24th<\/sup> week. They are caused by hormonal changes that happen during pregnancy, which alter the skin\u2019s collagen structure and weakens elastin fibres.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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There are various factors contributing to the development of stretch marks, for instance genetic factors. However, there are ways to prevent their appearance during pregnancy, including: regular use of moisturising skincare products with emollient properties, keeping healthy weight gain, keeping hydrated, consuming a nutrient-rich healthy diet, and lightly exercising. But fear not because a year or so after birth most stretch marks will have matured and faded into a light grey color, reducing in visual appearance.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Striae Atrophicans<\/strong> are marks formed when the skin has become damaged by use of certain types of medication, such as by steroids. Those with Cushing\u2019s syndrome may also develop this type of stretch marks. The marks are larger than Stria Distensae\u2019s and commonly appear on the belly, thighs, shoulders, chest and back.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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It is best to consult a doctor when these marks first appear as they may indicate tan underlying health issue.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Topical treatments for Stretch Marks<\/h2><\/div>\n\n\n
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Several research attempts have been made to find an active ingredients, applied on the skin, that reduce the appearance of stretch marks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recently, tretinoin (retinoid) topical application has been shown to prevent the appearance of stretch marks during their active stage. In a study conducted by Elsaieet al. , participants with already formed stretch marks were either treated with a topical tretinoin cream or a placebo. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Chemical formula of tretinoin<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

The study results showed  there was a decrease in mean length and width of stretch marks(14% and 8%, respectively), in patients who received the tretinoin therapy. Whilst those who received the placebo had an increase of 10% and 24%.1<\/sup>( aplacebo is an inactive ingredient that looks like the treatment or medication). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, tretinoin is not to be used in pregnancy or during breast feeding due to its harmful teratogenic properties. If tretinoin is to be prescribed, it is only under the supervision of the medical professional such as medical doctor. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Another active ingredient investigated to reduce appearance of stretch marks is Centella Asiatica. A placebo -controlled study was conducted on eighty women to find out whether the massage cream enriched with Centella Asiatica has an impact on the development of Striae Gravidarum. By the end of the study, 56% of the placebo group developed stretch marks compared to only 34% of the treated group. However, the study group was small and results inconclusive<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Centella Asiatica<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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In a double-blind study by De Bauman, thirty participants were given either a cream or placebo to apply on the skin. The active ingredients of the cream were hyaluronic acid, allantoin, vitamin A, vitamin E, and panthenol. The researchers concluded was that participant group who applied the cream, there was a lower incidence of stretch mark developed after pregnancy.2<\/sup> However, the downside of this study is the number of participants was very small therefore study results are not conclusive nor generalisable to the wider population. More well-designed research studies needs to be done to confirm the efficacy of skincare products enriched with selected active ingredients in prevention of stretch marks during and after pregnancy.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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As discussed above, the preventative measures such as regular skin care, particularly during and after pregnancy using products with good moisturising and emollient properties are beneficial to the skin health. Pregnancy and breast feeding are times of increased demands placed on women\u2019s body, best supported by adoptation of healthy life habits in general.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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1<\/sup>Elsaie, M.L., Baumann, L.S. and Elsaaiee, L.T., 2009. Striaedistensae (stretch marks) and different modalities of therapy: an update. Dermatologic Surgery, 35(4), pp.563-573.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2 <\/sup>De-Bauman M, Walther M, De-Weck R. Effectivness of alphastria cream in the prevention of pregnancy stretch marks (striaedistensae). Results of a double-blind study. GynakologischeRundschau 1987; 27: 79\u2013 84.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

In men, stretch marks commonly form on the outer thigh and lower back, whilst in women they mainly form on the thighs, buttocks, abdomen (during pregnancy) and breasts. However, as research has been done into prevention of stretch marks, this article will uncover the basis of these preventive treatments and we will discuss about stretch […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1198,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[242,235],"tags":[243,244,248,250,252,251,249],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/beautycore.co.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/629"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/beautycore.co.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/beautycore.co.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/beautycore.co.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/beautycore.co.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=629"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/beautycore.co.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/629\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1583,"href":"https:\/\/beautycore.co.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/629\/revisions\/1583"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/beautycore.co.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1198"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/beautycore.co.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=629"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/beautycore.co.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=629"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/beautycore.co.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=629"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}