Approximately 70% of women around the world are affected by this and want to get rid of them - this means the annoying stretch marks, also known as stretch marks. This involves strip-like and visible changes in the skin. They occur when the tissue is stretched quickly and severely. They usually appear after pregnancy or after a sudden change in weight and tend to occur on the stomach, buttocks, thighs and sides of the hips. Which methods can be used to remove stretch marks, how you can prevent them and lots of useful tips can be found in our article!
Removing stretch marks – how do they arise?
Stretch marks are a common skin disease and are caused by very strong strain on the skin tissue. In the first stage they appear with a bluish-reddish color that comes from the underlying blood vessels under the skin.
- InitiallyThe slightly pink stretch marks can be a signal of a protein or vitamin C deficiency. The skin area is also slightly irritated.
- The red cracks, on the other hand, indicate a rapid change in the body, for example due to pregnancy, weight gain or a lot of competitive sport.
- In the second phasethe cracks turn white and it is almost impossible to remove them completely because they are older and completely healed.
What are the most common causes?
- During thepregnancyRapid growth spurts may occur during the second and third trimesters, particularly in the abdomen, thighs, and hips. The skin has trouble keeping up with the sudden stretch, causing the collagen to break down and tear into the over-stretched areas.
- Growth spurts in young people –Stretch marks due to rapid body growth can also occur in many young people during puberty.
- A strong build-up or loss of muscleUnfortunately, this can also lead to unsightly cracks. Both women and men can be affected by this.
- Corticosteroids –Taking corticosteroids for too long can lead to many unwanted side effects, including stretch marks and skin thinning.
- Genetic predisposition –If your mother has ever suffered from this, it is very likely that sooner or later you will have to deal with stretch marks yourself.
Methods for removing stretch marks – laser therapy
The stretch marks fade on their own over time and are barely visible. The most popular and effective method of removing cracks is laser therapy. It works with short flashes of light that penetrate the skin. There they are converted into heat, which in turn stimulates the production of collagen and stimulates skin renewal. Laser therapy to remove stretch marks is completely painless. However, slight swelling and redness of the skin may occur after treatment. Since there are many different procedures that are not suitable for every skin type, you should first consult your doctor.Laser treatment is effective in itself, but requires more than one session to see any results - results are usually only seen after a few months. The costs start at around 350 euros per treatment and are always calculated based on the size of the problem areas.
Carboxytherapie
Carboxytherapy involves injecting carbon dioxide into the stretch marks using very small needles. From there it spreads quickly into the surrounding tissue, creating a vasodilating effect with an increase in blood flow. The oxygen and better blood circulation ensure that the cracks on your skin disappear.
Successfully remove stretch marks with oneOperation
Unfortunately, after a bit of weight loss, the annoying stretch marks become more pronounced. Especially on the stomach, the skin does not recede and can be removed surgically. The excess skin folds are removed and the abdominal wall is tightened. A small scar remains, but it cannot be seen under clothing.
Dermabrasion
You can also remove stretch marks using dermabrasion. The top layer of skin is removed using a diamond grinding head under local anesthesia. In this way, the skin is stimulated to produce new cells. Even if this treatment does not completely eliminate scars, their visibility is reduced to a minimum. If you want good and visible results, you should repeat the procedures every 10 days. After the procedure, your skin may feel dry and the treated area may be slightly reddish, but there is no need to worry - everything will be completely healed after 24 hours.
Other methods
- Micro-Needling:This treatment is used against wrinkles, pigment spots or scars and is also intended to remove stretch marks. This involves the top layer of skintreated with a derma roller, which is covered with fine and small needles. As with any injury, the skin tries to regenerate as quickly as possible and promotes collagen production. This minimizes the white stripes and makes them barely visible.
- The ultrasound treatmentis one of the gentlest methods to successfully remove stretch marks. Gentle vibrations are used, which increases blood circulation. In order to achieve visible results, several treatments are necessary, depending on the severity of the stretch marks. A session usually costs around 30 euros.
Fighting stretch marks with cream – does it really make a difference?
There are endless creams and oils on the market today that claim to remove stretch marks. In order to make a purchase decision, you should consider many factors - skin tolerance, side effects, active ingredients, etc. Special creams with vitamin E or on a plant-based basis made from ivy, coconut or cocoa butter provide your skin with very important nutrients and ensure a pleasant feeling , supple feel. Unfortunately, there is still no evidence that they really help in the fight against unsightly stripes - they can be used more as a preventive measure.
The best home remedies
Aloe Verais a miracle plant that provides the skin with lots of moisture. It has a calming effect and can do more than thatrelieve sunburn, but also supports the healing process of stretch marks and makes them less visible. You can either take the sap from the plant or use a store-bought gel. And this is how it works:
- Cut off an aloe vera leaf and take out the gel. Apply to the affected area of skin and massage in gently. Leave on for about 15 minutes and rinse with lukewarm water. You can repeat the procedure every day until you achieve the desired result.
Coconut oilpromotes blood circulation and the production of collagen, which are of great importance for successfully combating stretch marks. The lauric acid it contains also stimulates cell formation and ensures that the white cracks lighten and become barely visible. All you need to do is apply coconut oil to your skin twice a day and massage it.
Teebaumölcomes from a variety of tea tree plants and has been used by Australian aborigines as a skin care product for centuries. Apply a small amount of the miracle cure to the stretch marks. Massage with gentle, circular movements for 3-5 minutes and leave on for 10 minutes.
castor oilis another natural product that successfully combats age and pigment spots, wrinkles and pimples. So it's no wonder that you can also use it to remove your stretch marks. Simply massage some castor oil in circular movements for about 10 minutes and wrap the area with a cotton cloth. Then warm the affected area with a hot water bottle for around 30 minutes.
A peeling with brown cane sugaris one of the most effective home remedies in the fight against annoying cracks. It removes dead skin cells and leaves skin supple and soft. This is how it works:
- Mix 2 tablespoons of brown cane sugar with a few drops of freshly squeezed lemon juice and 1 teaspoon of almond or avocado oil. Apply to the stretch marks, massage gently for about 5 minutes and rinse with lukewarm water.
Onions for stretch marks? –The onions contain flavonoid and quercetin, which are known to be very powerful antioxidants and anti-inflammatory agents. If you don't mind the smell, this method is definitely worth a try! To do this, simply cut a red onion into rings and rub it into the affected area. Leave on briefly and rinse with lukewarm water.
All women know that good care and regular massage are good for the skin. The best home remedy for annoying stretch marks is the good old pinching massage. And this is how it's done: Take two small rolls of skin between your thumb and index finger and pull them upwards slightly, tugging.
How can you prevent stretch marks?
Even though the formation of stretch marks depends on many different factors, we will give you some tips on how you can prevent them.
- Drink lots of water –Drinking enough water will keep your skin hydrated. In this way it gains elasticity and does not tear so quickly.
- Balanced and healthy diet –To keep your skin beautifully elastic, you need to provide it with lots of nutrients. Silica and zinc are involved in the production of collagen and vitamin C plays a large role in the regeneration of connective tissue. To do this, try to integrate foods such as berries, spinach, cucumbers and nuts into your diet.
- Regular trainingimproves skin elasticity and promotes general blood circulation, which is very important for preventing stretch marks.
