Skin stretch marks: signs, causes, symptoms, and its eradication methods

How to cure skin stretch marks with DIY remedies?

Stretch marks  are a type of scar that generally occur when skin stretches or shrinks quickly. This condition can happen due to numerous reasons including body growth during puberty, weight gain, or pregnancy. This sudden change in skin formation leads collagen and elastin to rupture. These two elements are very crucial for skin tightness. As time goes, human body immunity repairs the affected skin to great extent but leaves small scars. sometimes, these scars are itchy and painful. However, it is not like that anyone who is experiencing puberty, weight gain, or pregnancy, always suffer from stretch marks. Skin stretches can be due to hormonal changes, hereditary, and environmental aspects. 

However, it does not cause any painful situation or serious condition to health. Clinically, Dermatologists use the following procedures to eradicate stretch marks -

• laser treatment
• Chemical Peeling
• Microdermabrasion
• Radio Frequency
• Ultrasound

In this article, we have provided a few home remedies to fade the stretch marks. But it does not happen in a single day so one has to maintain patience in the process.

Cause of Skin stretch marks

Skin stretch marks are result of skin stretching and increased level of cortisone in the system. Cortisone is one of the hormone produced by adrenal glands which is responsible for skin recovery and keeping skin glowing. However, excess of cortisone is body may cause skin to loose elasticity. It specifically affects the skin layer dermis by preventing fibroblasts in forming the collagen and elastin-fibres required to keep rapidly growing skin.  This can result in a lack of supportive material for skin leading to dermal and epidermal tearing. This results in scars that feel like slight ridge or indentation on your skin. Same symptoms can be seen when new tissues reproduced and grow.

Some of the primary reasons / situations in which skin stretches complexity is observed are as follows-

• High intake or application of corticosteroids - Corticosteroid cream, lotion, and pills can also cause skin stretch. Such ingredients make skin inflexible to stretch further.  
• High-intensity Exercise- Generally it is observed that some people have such skin which can not adapt to change and high intensity regular workout causes skin to elongate forcibly leading to scars. 
• Surgery- In most of the cases, surgeries are also found one of the causes of skin stretch marks.
• Pregnancy- In pregnancy, skin stretches to give room to baby so that he/she can fit into womb and baby's growth can take place properly. Continual tugging and stretching can cause skin stretch marks.
• Puberty-  With most of the adolescents, who experience rapid body growth due to puberty can feel that their skin needs to grow as per the rest body growth. However, it does not happen proportionately that results in stretch marks.
• Genetic history- Skin stretch marks are also very common in people due to their genetic and family history of hereditary adoption as well. 
• Cushing Syndrome-  It is also an adrenal gland disorders. In cushing syndrome, level of cortisone increases abruptly that degrades skin elasticity resulting in stretch marks.

Symptoms of skin stretch marks

There are no definite symptoms for skin stretch marks. It may be different for persons depends upon the skin type, skin tone, skin location, and other factors. Some of the common variations include-

• Pink, black, blue, purple, or red streaks 
• Bright streaks that fade to lighter color
• Indented tunnel like streaks visible on stomach, breast, hips, buttocks, or other places of body

Now, you may have one question in your mind that who are at most risk of getting stretch marks-

• Being a women
• Person having fair complexion
• Genetic history of having skin stretch marks
• A pregnant lady delivering large babies or twins
• Being overweight dramatically
• Use of excessive corticosteroids medications
• Having organ surgery including breast enlargement therapy
• Increasing muscle size rapidly by body building

Do-It-Yourself home remedies to skin stretch marks 

There are many natural ways that are very effective in curing stretch marks. Some of them are as follows- 

Castor Oil

Castor oil stimulates the production of collagen and elastin. It also aids in the restoration of damaged tissues to their original shape. It also assists the skin in returning to its original position after stretching. 

• Take some amount of castor oil on your hands.
• Gently massage this oil on stretch marks.

It deeply moisturizes the skin, soothes itchiness, and keeps it from drying out. If you feel too sticky then after some time you can wipe with cloth (dipped in Lukewarm water).

Potato Juice

Potato juice is very rich in antioxidants, which help in soothing skin and remove stretch marks. It is a natural bleaching agent that lightens the scars.

• Grate the potato finely and extract its juice.
• Mix this juice with the grated pulp.
• Apply the pack over stretch marks.
• Let it dry for 30 minutes and wash it over with cold water.

Coconut Oil

Coconut oil has anti-inflammatory properties that help in reducing the healing time for the stretch marks (that already exists) Coconut oil hydrates the skin very deeply and benefits in eliminating the itching.

• Add half tsp of turmeric powder and 1 tsp of coconut oil.
• Apply the mixture to the affected area and let it sit for 1 hour.
• Wash it with normal water and apply moisturizer.
  

Sesame Oil, Olive Oil, and Almond Oil

Combine Sesame oil with pure olive and almond oil and gently massage it over the stretch marks area regularly. It will also help in lightening the skin marks.

Vitamin A

Vitamin A is considered beneficial especially for skin irregularities. Skin care product containing Vitamin A are also referred to as Retinoids. Retinoids can make skin brighter and rejuvenate it from several ailments including stretch marks. Excessive application can also cause irritation. So, it is always advisable to use retinoids as per the instructions indented on such products. However, it is highly recommended not to use retinoids in pregnant & lactating mother. Such medicines can be procured from the over-the-counter shops. You can make your own retinoids as well at home using natural materials having Vitamin A as well.

Sugar

Sugar is an excellent exfoliator. The small sugar crystals can easily remove dead skin while scrubbing on skin and soothes skin. Its application will make you feeling smoother. This is also one of the few clinically proven methods to make stretch marks fade away practiced by dermatologists. All the ingredients are available at home. To make a sugar scrub, follow the steps given below-

• Combine 1/2 cup of sugar with softening agent like coconut oil or almond oil
• Mix oil in sugar well; it might take some time. Your sugar scrub is ready when it looks like wet beach sand. (You may need to add 1/2 cup of softening oil)
•  Gently rub the scrub on the affected skin for sometime
• Rinse the skin with warm water;

Apply this scrub 2 times a day and repeat the same procedure. Make small batches of scrub and gradually increase the amount of sugar & oil when you see its usability. You can also make it in bulk and store it in a glass jar for future usage. However, remember that when it become smelly then you should start with fresh batch of sugar scrub by following the above methods.

Aloe Vera

Aloe vera is boon to human kind from mother nature especially in skin ailments. It posses a lot of miraculous properties. It is advisable to use jelly obtained from the aloe vera plant leaves. Its leaves are generally very thick. We do not recommend the over-the-counter substitutes as these may contain harmful chemicals. However, if there is no availability of aloe vera then you can opt for OTC products. 

Aloe vera jelly should be applied directly to the affected skin and keep your skin open until skin pores completely absorb the jelly moisture. It is not advised to wash your skin after the aloe vera jelly absorption as well because this thin layer provides protection against the bacteria and cure skin for a long time. 

Microneedling / Dermaroller

In micro-needling, there are tiny pricks that are used on the skin. Dermaroller is a small device with small plastic pricks in it. With these pricks, small pores of skin are opened that induces collagen and elastin in skin resulting in skin tightening. 

Precaution(s)

There are several ways to prevent stretch marks formation such as:

• Avoid scratching on the itches during the pregnancy
• Maintain your weight to the optimal
• Increase intake of more Vitamin C
• Keep yourself hydrated
• Soak up Vitamin D in sunlight
• Eat foods rich in Zinc
• Adopt proper treatment the fresh stretch marks (as they appear)

FAQs

Q. Why do people get stretch marks on their legs? 

Stretch marks appear on the thighs either when a person gains weight or muscle around the thighs. In other cases, it may be observed when a person loses weight in this area. Growth spurts and pregnancy can also cause stretch marks on the thighs.

Q. What are the different types of stretch marks?

There are four different kinds of stretch marks namely:

• Striae atrophica: These are the most common types of stretch marks. This type is caused by the breakdown of elastin or collagen components in the skin.
• Striae distensae: These are most common during puberty. They usually involve linear lines that resemble stripes.
• Striae gravidarum: This type is only seen during pregnancy.
• Vergetures: These are long, patterned stretch marks that look like whip lashings.

Q. Can stretch marks go away if left untreated?

Stretch marks are a natural part of body growth. Stretch marks do not disappear on their own.

Q. Do stretch marks fade away after losing weight?

Stretch marks can reduce in severity and even disappear after losing weight and returning to 'normal' body size. But this isn't always the case, it happens only in very few cases.

Q. What causes stretch marks in skinny people?

Stretch marks can affect anyone, regardless of the size. Stretch marks are not only dependent on rapid weight gain/loss or rapid growth spurts and puberty. It is not only the stretching of skin but hormones can also cause stretch marks.