Stretch Marks: Stretch marks are more common in women than men. People often think that these white or red marks on the stomach, waist or chest are only due to pregnancy, but this is not true. They can occur in men and women at any age. Medically, science calls stretch marks striae. You may have experienced these marks on your upper arms, stomach, waist, thighs and other areas. So, let’s find out about their causes and whether they can be fixed.
Why do stretch marks form?
Science says that stretch marks appear when our skin stretches faster than normal and the elastic fibers within it break. These marks are also seen in overweight, pregnant women, men, girls and athletes.
In simple terms, our skin has three layers. The first is the epidermis, the second is the dermis, and the third is the lower layer of skin. When the body experiences rapid weight gain or loss, a sudden increase in height, or hormonal changes, the middle layer of the skin, the dermis, is directly stressed.
Then, the collagen and elastin fibers in the dermis cannot withstand the stretch, and tiny tears form in them. That’s why stretch marks initially appear red, pink, or purple, and eventually turn white or silver.
What does science say about stretch marks?
A review published in Science Direct in 2022, Striae Distensae: Pathogenesis & Therapy Overview 2022, states that stretch marks are caused by the breakdown of elastic and collagen fibers in the skin.
Research published in the Wiley Online Library in 2016, titled “Unraveling the Molecular and Cellular Mechanisms of Stretch Marks,” revealed that reduced activity of elastin fibrils in the skin and reduced production of colitis contribute to stretch marks.
Skin biopsy analysis at OUP Academic revealed a tendency for stretch marks. The study found that people with stretch marks had lower levels of the normal skin components, elastin and colitis.
What do American doctors say?
Renowned American dermatologist Dr. Medical Director of Dermatology and Laser Surgery Centers in Houston and New York. Paul Friedman says that stretch marks are not only caused by pregnancy, but also by hormonal changes in the body and sudden stretching of the skin. Stretch marks are not easy to treat and often develop when the skin is stretched rapidly or hormonal changes occur suddenly in the body.
These marks can appear on both men and women at any age, such as on the biceps of men who exercise heavily in the gym, on the hips and breasts of girls during puberty, and on the abdomen of women after pregnancy.
About the treatment, Dr. Laser therapy, especially non-ablative fractional lasers, helps rebuild collagen and elastin in the skin, which can lighten stretch marks, Friedman says. However, no method has yet been developed that can completely eliminate stretch marks.
What are the causes of stretch marks in adults?
According to science, stretch marks are not only caused by stretching of the skin but also due to hormonal changes. For example, increased cortisol can make the skin thin and weak. Increased androgens can reduce the skin’s elastic support. Growth hormones increase rapidly during puberty, causing the body to expand suddenly, leading to this problem. Therefore, these marks often appear on the shoulders, thighs, chest and abdomen of adult boys and girls.
Additionally, stretch marks can be caused by rapid weight gain, sudden weight loss, massive muscle growth, steroid use, hormonal medication, or genetic factors. In men, stretch marks often appear on the chest, shoulders, and arms, while in women, they are more common on the stomach, hips, hips, and breasts.
Can stretch marks be eliminated?
According to science, there is no natural way to completely remove stretch marks, but some basic methods can help lighten them. Apply moisturizer, vitamin E, almond oil, or cocoa butter, or apply a retinoid cream as directed by a doctor.
If you are in a field where stretch marks are a risk factor minimize your exposure, consider laser therapy, microneedling, or a chemical peel. These methods can reduce the appearance of scars by increasing collagen in the skin.