What Causes Stretch Marks
There are several different known stretch mark causes. Most common is during pregnancy, but also during puberty, with rapid weight gain or loss and sometimes associated with those who use steroids. Stretch marks are caused when the skin is forced to stretch too rapidly and the elastin and collagen fibers become dehydrated and tear. It is said that some are just more prone to developing stretch marks during these times of sudden growth or change. In order to help reduce your risks or to improve those already developed marks, applying creams or oils containing cocoa butter, vitamin E or almond oil are just a few ways to help reduce their appearance.
The more technically term for stretch marks is called striae, it is a form of scarring on the skin that first appears red or purplish and sometimes dark brown depending on the severity. They are caused by the tearing of the layer of skin called the dermis. The tearing occurs because of the rapid growth in the body, although the skin is fairly elastic, the stretching of the skin can leave somewhat perminent marks.
If you are genetically prone to stretch marks, you most likely will get them during times of rapid weight gain or loss. For example, your mother has them and your sister, and then yes you will probably get them too. These times of rapid weight gain or loss is considered to be during pregnancy and even many adolescents notice them during puberty. Men can also be candidates for stretch marks during times of heavy weight gain or loss and especially if they use drugs such as steroids.
It is said to be possible to prevent these stretch marks from ever existing or at least limit their existence or severity but using these creams and/or oils on a constant daily basis, at least twice a day and more in colder weather or after a hot shower or bath especially. The most common creams contain cocoa butter and shea butters, also popular vitamin E or sweet almond oil.
So really the common stretch mark causes are in times of rapid weight gain or loss, during pregnancy and puberty and with drug use such as steroids. These factors cause the elastin and collagen fibers in the skin to stretch too much in one direction and thus creating a tear resulting in the actual stretch mark itself. To help prevent these unsightly marks from appearing or to reduce their appearance it is recommended to use moister rich creams and oils containing cocoa and shea butters and oils such as vitamin E and almond oil.
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