Millions of people have stretch marks. Stretch marks are noticeable lines on the skin in certain areas of the body, usually the abdomen, hips, thighs, buttocks and even arms. Over time, they may fade a bit. Pregnant women commonly develop them, particularly during the third trimester. Obese or overweight people also tend to develop stretch marks, but they may even be present in individuals who maintain a healthy weight.
Although stretch marks aren’t harmful, they can affect a person’s self-esteem. When they are noticeable, they can cause a person to feel self-conscious about the way they look. However, fortunately for residents of California, it’s possible to have stretch mark reduction in Los Angeles to minimize the appearance of the marks.
Symptoms of Stretch Marks
Not all stretch marks look alike. They can vary in looks depending on what caused them, where on the body they appear and how long they’ve been present. However, the following are symptoms of stretch marks:
• Streaks along large areas of the body • Bright streaks that fade to a lighter hue • Pink, red, black, blue or purple streaks • Indented lines or streaks on the skin • Streaks appearing on the buttocks, hips, abdomen, breasts or thighs
Causes of Stretch Marks
Generally, stretch marks are caused by the skin being stretched. How deep the stretch marks are depends on a number of factors, such as genetics, level of stress on the skin and the amount of cortisone in the body. Cortisone is a hormone made by the adrenal glands that determines the skin’s elasticity.
Risk Factors for Stretch Marks
Anybody can develop stretch marks. However, certain factors are considered risk factors that can increase your chances of developing them. Those include the following:
• Being female • Being obese or overweight • Personal or family history • Having breast enlargement surgery • Losing a significant amount of weight quickly • Being pregnant • Having Cushing’s syndrome, Marfan syndrome or other genetic disorders • Using corticosteroids
Overall, there may not really be any way to prevent the development of stretch marks. However, you can try to do your part in preventing them. Maintain a healthy weight and lose weight the natural way, slowly, if you can manage it. If you’re pregnant, you will naturally put on weight. Talk to your doctor about the best ways to avoid gaining too much by eating a healthy diet and exercising. It can help keep you and your baby healthy and minimize stretch marks in the process.
If you have embarrassing stretch marks, you may want to consider getting a stretch mark reduction procedure to smooth out your skin. It will make you look and feel better. Visit our Med Spa today!