Causes of Stretch Marks

Stretch marks or known as Striae atrophicae in dermatology, are normal in the majority of boys and girls. Overstretching of skin, due to putting on weight during puberty, pregnancy, body building, or fat accumulation, might cause occurrence of these stretch marks that are ugly scars appearing on the skin like fine lines with off colored tinge.Although our skin is quite elastic yet frequent overstretching might lead to these marks. Breasts, thighs, hips, abdomen, and buttock are the chief areas that often show these stretch marks. Your health is not at any kind of risk as a result of these stretch marks. You also don’t have to compromise with any body functions due to these stretch marks.

Stretch Marks’ Causes
Although our skin is reasonably pliant, overstretching might perturb the normal production of the connective tissue building protein, collagen, in the body. At one point, overstretching breaks the elasticity of skin that causes the appearance of scars in the form of fine lines known as stretch marks.

Major reasons for the evidence of stretch marks are:
Corpulence
Stretch marks generally occur as a result of rapid surge in weight. Because of increased weight, your skin is stretched to an extent that crosses its elasticity.As the skin stretches, fine lines show up on the skin in the form of stretch marks.

In Pregnancy
Pregnancy is a phase involving physical and hormonal changes. During the second and third term of pregnancy, when the body starts to gain an extra weight, stretchmarks in the form of fine lines around the skin of abdomen appear.

Adolescence
Due to hormonal changes occurring along the way of puberty, some teenagers often gain an extra weight. As a result, the accumulation of fats leads to the event of stretch marks because of stretching of skin.

Body building
Sometimes, muscle building leads to an extra weight gain on upper arms. This extra weight results in expansion of skin leading to formation of stretch marks’ scars.

Signs of Stretch Marks
Stretch marks refer to scars of fine lines appearing on the skin. Gradually these marks heal up leaving behind the marks of stretch marks. These stretch marks will often be red or purple lines when they begin to appear but these get lighter thereby attaining a silvery white color and becoming less noticeable in the future. These scars or lines feature a texture that is quitedistinctive from that of normal skin surrounding them. The areas showing stretch marks often appear empty and are quite soft to feel.

For those facing the humiliation of stretch marks, many helpful lotions and teatments have been introduced. Various home remedies can also be applied to remove these stretch marks. Also, latest technology has introduced laser treatment to solve the problem of stretch marks. As well as these treatments, there are many ways by which you can avoid the occurrence of these stretch marks.