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14-04-2008 12:41
Stretch marks are the last thing you want to worry about as summer approaches and bikini season looms ever closer . Female First looks at how to prevent them in the first place and your options on how to minimise them.
Stretch marks appear when the skin has been stretched, often in puberty or during pregnancy. They can also form when you either gain or lose weight in a short space of time. They are usually found on the stomach, breasts, bottom, arms and thighs.
There are three layers of skin: the top layer (the epidermis), the middle layer (the dermis) and the bottom layer (subcutaneous stratum). It is the middle layer which contains the collagen and elastin that gives skin its strength and elasticity that is affected by stretch marks.
Skin becomes less elastic and the small connective fibres become thinner and broken.This leaves the skin an angry reddish-purple because the damaged skin allows the blood vessels to show through. They later fade to a silvery-white colour.
However, you should bear in mind that they are purely a cosmetic issue and do not affect the body's ability to function healthily.
Try to maintain a healthy weight, or if you are losing weight, aim to do it over a reasonable length of time (1-2lbs a week). Yo-yo dieting can often result in stretch marks.
Drinking lots of water will keep the skin moist and hydrated skin should be less likely to develop stretch marks. Body lotions like Cocoa Butter, also keep the skin moisturised and may reduce the risk. Regular exercise improves the blood circulation and keeps the skin supple.
If you are pregnant, there are a number of creams and oils on the market which you can rub into your stomach but there is no proof that these will work.
Stretch marks are permanent and so once the skin has been stretched it will never fully recover. They will fade over time into less obvious scars. Collagen creams claim to improve the appearance of stretch marks but there is not as yet sufficient evidence to support this. Collagen creams can only penetrate the surface of the skin and cannot repair the damage to the dermis.
You can treat the stretch marks at an early stage with the use of laser therapy. The lasers respond to dark colours so it is best when they are still a reddish-purple. A series of treatments might be necessary for them to visibly fade.
Dr. Loftus, a highly acclaimed plastic surgeon and author of 'The Smart Woman's Guide to Plastic Surgery', says: "Most plastic surgeons think that lasers are ineffective in treating this problem. Lasers are effective in removing, vaporizing, and breaking down tissues."
"They do not generally repair tissues. Stretch marks represent torn tissue. Hence, improvement should not be expected from laser treatment. Moreover, clinical studies have shown no improvement in stretch marks after laser treatment." (www.infoplasticsurgery.com)
Tara Hounslea- Female First
Readers' Comments
#1 by claire - 26-05-2008 07:42
everyone told me to rub baby lotion on my belly every night while i was pregnant to reduce the risk of stretch marks. (it didnt work) now i have lots any ideas?
#2 by leonie - 09-06-2008 17:27
I have been using cocoa butter ever since i was c child and now i have been using it to help fade my strech marks away but it has not been working.
Also,I try to work out regulary to... READ MORE
#3 by hannah - 21-06-2008 20:37
while i was pregnant i rubbed baby oil in after the bath coco butter in the morning and night and i was told massage ya belly once a day i did all that and iv now had my baby and guess ... READ MORE
#4 by Natasha - 08-07-2008 16:40
Well I Have Stretch Marks On My Breasts And Behind My Thighs And On My Stomach At The Sides I Have Tried To Stop Eating Junk Food And Still Its Not Working But I Really Hate Having It I... READ MORE
#5 by Megan Reid - 15-07-2008 10:48
i am really desperate to remove stretch marks. the thing is, i am only 14 years old and i am not exessively big. i am a uk size 8 and its really embarassing when you go to the beach wit... READ MORE
#6 by jess - 21-07-2008 22:37
i am 13 and i have stretch marks on my thighs and boobs ,im not fat for my age as im size8 i put baby oil on it not that it really works. i always end up wearing fake tan.help
#7 by EG.Ox - 24-07-2008 14:05
im an average 13 year old i think my clothes size's are usally size 4,6 and occasionaly 8's but just recently i have discovered a few stretch marks at the top of my legs and im desperat... READ MORE
#8 by Kirsy - 28-07-2008 21:29
Hi I'm 18 and have 1 child. I have stretch marks on my belly. The only thing that help me was Mederma. It faded the stretch marks. You almost cant see them but they are still there. The are much better now.
#9 by janet - 01-08-2008 00:33
hi i am 13 i usally am a size 8 or 6 but i found i hv stretch marks on da top of mi legs i am desperate to get rid of them plz help me because i feel uncomfortable with my boyfriends n all
#10 by Beccy - 02-08-2008 17:14
I'm 16 and have had stretch marks since I was about 13. I am not overweight and am quite a tall girl. I have them around the inside of my knees and calfs also on my hips and thighs. I... READ MORE
#11 by embarrasedgirl - 09-08-2008 18:52
i got my strech marks when i was 14, i am 15 now and they are still red-ish purple colour.
i told my mum a couple of weeks ago and she told me it is common but it didnt stop me feeling... READ MORE
#12 by kelly - 14-08-2008 13:45
ok I have some good advice to help remove your stretch marks. I am currently doing this process and it is really working. First, I was trying everything to try to remove mine and even... READ MORE
#13 by Nicole - 16-08-2008 10:40
I'm 15, and have suffered with stretch marks since I was 13 years old. At first they didn't bother me, I told my mum and she said they'd soon fade, and as I used Bio oil, they did. But ... READ MORE
#14 by sharnie - 19-08-2008 21:55
im 15 and have had stretch marks since i was about 13 i have them dark purple ones on my breast and on my bottom i feel horrible and just want them to go but i cant find anything that a... READ MORE
#15 by [W].[I].[F].[E].[Y] . [Y]. [S] . [W]. [I] . [T]. [C].[H] . [K]. [I]. [D] - 23-08-2008 00:29
IM 12YEARS OLD N I HAV GT STRETCH MARKS ON MA ARMS~THIGHS N HIPS I DNT REALLY MIND ABOUT DA ARMS N THIGHS CUZ IT AINT DAT BAD INIT BUT I REALLY WANT 2 GET RID OF MY STRETCH MARKS N ESPE... READ MORE
#16 by rihana - 25-08-2008 17:31
i am 14 i had stretch marks since i was about 12 and i recently lost a lot of wait i tried a few things it kinda work i tried pure cocobutter and that wasn't bad but i'm from the caribb... READ MORE
#17 by terry - 25-08-2008 17:46
hi i have stretch marks on me belle sides and back i cant get rid of them how do i get rid of them i affreid to get changed in p.e rooms in skool coz ppl might notice so plz can u help me thx u
#18 by kerry - 10-09-2008 16:26
Same as me I'm trying to get rid of stretch marks. I have then EVERYWERE!!! I hate them. I read on a website though that if you put cocoa butter on them daily and slowly they will fade ... READ MORE
#19 by tianna - 28-10-2008 11:56
im 16 and in the last couples of weeks have noticed purpley couloured stretch marks on my sides (love handles) and i am desperate for them to go away. i also have them on my bum and inn... READ MORE
#20 by emz - 29-10-2008 01:08
im 17 nd have them there 2. ive used cream and it has really helped coco butter is good. i read it on a website and it has worked they have really faded now!
#21 by ???? - 27-11-2008This Month 27th Nov 18:39
i am 16 and have discovered afew red/purpley stretch marks at the top of my thighs what can i do ??
#22 by Eve - 11 months ago 09th Dec 16:18
Im 13 and ive got strecth marks in my inner thigh and around my hips. Ive used bio oil but its not working. what can i do?
#23 by Fatty - 10 months ago 24th Jan 12:31
I am 16 and i have stretch marks all over, i have them on my, stomach, breasts, upper thighs and my lower sides they are disgusiting they are easy to see and totally stand out i feel li... READ MORE
#24 by Kay - 9 months ago 05th Feb 21:10
I'm 15 years old, approximately 5"6, and not fat,but im not skinny either. I have stretch marks around my hip area, but I have no idea where they could have came from because I haven't ... READ MORE
#25 by miley - 9 months ago 16th Feb 03:37
im nearly 17 and i have strech marks on my inner thighs
im not fat
im 5f 7
and weigh 9 stone 6
no idea why i have them
i've tried bio oil
coconut cream
im exercising regualry and... READ MORE
#26 by Marlon - 8 months ago 10th Mar 09:14
Hi, im 18 and have stretch marks on my back, dunno if its normal. Is there a way to remove them completely ?
#27 by Ellie - 8 months ago 15th Mar 17:17
i am 15, about 5"7/8 and i am a size 12, i have stretch marks all over my hips and breasts and they're very noticeable. you just have to think- the majority of girls our age have them a... READ MORE
#28 by hating - 6 months ago 05th May 21:00
Im 14, size 8 and about 5.5 I have huge stretch marks all over my theighs and they are spreading down them aswell. I hate them so much they make me feel sick. I have got really bad self... READ MORE
#29 by danielle - 6 months ago 26th May 23:11
im 17 and have just had a baby,
i have stretch marks over the front of my stomach, my sides, inner thighs and my upper area, they are really getting me down, i am currently using bio o... READ MORE
#30 by anonymous - 5 months ago 24th Jun 20:56
I'm 16 and have stretch marks that are really visible on my inner thighs and on my breasts. They seem to be spreading and are really vibrant against my skin pigment. I'm using bio oil b... READ MORE
#31 by natalie - 4 months ago 03rd Jul 13:18
I am 17 and i have stretch marks on my sides and thighes under my bum at the back and and did have them on my breast, but its undescriable how upset they are getting me. I cant wear a... READ MORE