Stretch Marks: Causes and Treatment

[Johnny Sack]

Stretch Marks Are Scars​

If your skin is stretched farther than it’s used to in a short period of time -- during pregnancy or a childhood growth spurt, for example -- the elastic fibers in your skin can tear. Those damaged areas make long, thin scars called stretch marks. They can show up as pink, red, or purple streaks.

Where You Get Them​

You won’t get stretch marks on your face, hands, or feet, but they can be almost anywhere else. They’re most likely to be where your body stores fat, like your belly, hips, thighs, breasts, and buttocks. You also might notice them on your lower back or the backs of your arms. Genetics may play a role in stretch marks. For example, if your mother got them on their thighs during pregnancy, you may be more likely to have them there.

Anyone Can Get Them​

An estimated 50% to 90% of women have them, but men can get them, too. It’s also common for teen girls (breasts, thighs, hips, or buttocks) and boys (lower backs or hips) to get stretch marks during growth spurts.

They Don’t Go Away​

Like any other scars, stretch marks are permanent. But in time, they usually fade and become a little lighter than the rest of your skin -- they may look white or silvery. If you feel self-conscious about them, remember, more than half of adults have them.

Cause: Weight Gain​

You can get stretch marks when you’re young and your body is changing quickly. The more weight you gain and the faster you gain it, the more likely you are to have stretch marks. Putting on lots of muscle mass quickly, as bodybuilders sometimes do, can also cause them.

Cause: Pregnancy​

They’re most common during and after your sixth month. Your body expands as your baby grows, but that might not be the only reason for stretch marks. Changes in your hormones during pregnancy can affect your skin and make it more likely to “tear.”

Cause: Medication​

Some drugs can cause weight gain, swelling, bloating, or other physical changes that stretch your skin and lead to stretch marks. Hormones (like birth control pills) and corticosteroids (which ease inflamed areas of your body) are two that can do this. If you take a medication and are concerned about stretch marks, talk to your doctor about things you can do about them.

Cause: Medical Conditions​

Any health condition that leads to weight gain, sudden growth, or skin problems may cause stretch marks. Some medical conditions lead to physical changes that can bring them on. For example, problems with your adrenal glands, like Cushing’s disease and rare conditions like Marfan and Ehlers-Danlos syndromes (which affect the tissues that connect body parts), can make you more likely to get them.

Can You Prevent Them?​

Experts think genetics play a role in stretch marks, but if your parents had them, that doesn’t mean you will, too. One of the best ways to prevent them is to keep your weight steady. Drinking plenty of water may help prevent damage when your skin stretches. And foods that keep your skin healthy may cut your odds, too. Eat foods rich in zinc, like nuts and fish, and ones with vitamins A, C, and D, like citrus, milk, and sweet potatoes.

See a Dermatologist​

A board-certified skin specialist is the best person to talk with about skin issues, including stretch marks. They can tell you about the best treatments for your skin type, and ways to lower your odds of getting more. Be sure to tell them all the medications you take (including vitamins and over-the-counter drugs) and if you’ve had any other health problems.

What May Help: Retinol Products​

Retinol, which comes from vitamin A, may help make stretch marks less obvious. It makes your skin cells shed, or “turn over,” faster and may make new skin grow faster, too. The catch: You have to start using it soon after stretch marks show up, and then use it regularly for it to work. And the type of retinol that’s been shown to work (tretinoin) is only available by prescription. Talk to your dermatologist about whether you should try it.

What May Help: Laser Therapy​

The American Society for Dermatologic Surgery says laser or light therapy can make stretch marks less noticeable -- light triggers skin changes that help stretch marks blend in. Research shows they’re most effective for medium-tone skin. Laser treatments can be expensive, and it can take 20 sessions to see results. If you go the laser route, see a board-certified dermatologist or plastic surgeon who has worked with your skin tone.

What May Help: Self-Tanning Products​

These lotions and sprays can darken your stretch marks and make your all-over skin tone look more even. That can make them less obvious, especially if they’re white or very light in color. You may have to try different products and shades before you find one that works best for you.

Not Likely to Help: Exfoliating​

Ads for exfoliating treatments may claim that they make stretch marks less noticeable. Scrubs, buffs, and microdermabrasion (this removes the top layer of skin with a tool) can make your skin smoother. But there’s no proof that any of these treatments actually help -- and some dermatologists think microdermabrasion may make stretch marks worse.

Not Likely to Help: Most Lotions and Creams​

Many skin products claim to fade stretch marks. But there’s little evidence that over-the-counter products can fix the torn elastic fibers that cause them. And experts don’t know if rubbing oils or cocoa butter products will prevent stretch marks during pregnancy, either. They may make your stretching skin less itchy, though, which can make you more comfortable.

 

[Johnny Sack]

Top Cellulite Fixes and Treatments

Smooth Moves​

Cellulite: Most women have it on their thighs, bottoms, or bellies. It's normal, but if yours bothers you, there are ways to make it less noticeable.

Exercise Smart​

Get moving. It's one of the best treatments. It won't make your cellulite disappear, but strong muscles under lumpy areas can make your skin look more even. Try a three-part plan: a healthy diet, brisk exercise, and moves that tone your muscles.

Eat More Raw Foods​

Eat more fiber -- in whole grains, fruit, and vegetables -- instead of "empty"-calorie foods. The simple or "refined" carbs found in many breads, candy, and soft drinks add calories. This leads to fat, especially in cellulite-prone areas.

Lose a Few Pounds​

Skinny or plump, you can have cellulite. But extra weight often makes it more visible. If you're overweight, the best remedy is to shed a few pounds. Try to lose weight slowly, though. Yo-yo dieting can make cellulite look worse. If you've lost a lot of weight, it might show up in areas where your skin is loose. Ask your doctor about treatments.

Kick the Habit​

Every puff affects the blood supply to your skin. It gets thinner and more likely to sag. This makes the cellulite on your arms, thighs, and bottom more visible. Ask your doctor which stop-smoking method is best for you.

Massage the Dimpled Zone​

Take a few extra minutes every day to give these spots a firm rubdown.Try it in the shower or when you apply lotion. Massage improves blood flow and gets rid of excess fluid, which may make dimples less noticeable for a while.

Take Products on a Test Run​

Creams with plant extracts might make your skin look better for a while. For example, products with caffeine can help quickly tighten your skin. But would a massage or your normal moisturizer work just as well? Run a test. And before you slather yourself with a new product, try a small dab so you know how your skin reacts.

Add Retinol Cream to Your Routine​

When you scan ads for firming creams, look for the word retinol. It won't cure cellulite -- nothing does. But it can improve your skin's look and texture. A product with 0.3% retinol is best. You need to use it for at least 6 months to see effects. It should thicken your skin's outer layer to help cover bumpy areas underneath.

Smooth on a "Bottle Tan"​

If you have fair skin, a self-tanner may help. Dimpled areas are less noticeable on darker skin. Start with a gentle body scrub, then apply a self-tanning lotion to cellulite areas only. Next spritz your entire body with a tanning spray. Pass on a real tan. It'll damage your skin and make cellulite look worse.

Step Out in Support Stockings​

Modern support hose don't look like those thick, saggy things your granny wore. If you wear them often, your skin should look smoother because they help prevent cellulite from storing fluid. Your doctor or pharmacist can help you choose the right grade. The catch: It could take a year or two!

Indulge in a Body Wrap​

Hit the spa! A body wrap can tighten and smooth your skin for a while. The effects last about a day, and costs vary. A body shaper or an elastic bandage wrapped around your cellulite zones might give you spa results for less cash.

Massage and Suction Team Up​

Lipomassage uses a rolling suction device to gather and massage your skin. The treatment is FDA-approved but it's also pricey. And it may take several sessions to get results. The benefits are likely to go away unless you have it done over and over.

Bring the Heat With Lasers and RF​

Lasers or radiofrequency (RF) blast your skin with heat, plus added massage and suction. The treatments can give your bumps a smoother look -- in some cases, for 6 months or more. They don't hurt much, but can be expensive, and you may need several visits.

Cellulaze Shows Promise​

This FDA-approved surgery zaps cellulite at the source. The doctor slips a laser under your skin to shrink fat cells, cut the tough bands that cause bumps, and thicken your skin. Results should last a year or more, but the long-term effects are unknown. Make sure you go to a board-certified cosmetic surgeon for this procedure. It may not work well if you're very heavy or have severe cellulite. Ask your doctor for guidance.

Single Treatment Success​

Cellfina, another FDA-approved treatment, promises to reduce cellulite in a single session. Your doctor will numb the area then insert a needle-sized device in your skin. They’ll slice through the cellulite-causing bands under your skin that cause the lumps and bumps. The changes should last about 2 years. Cellfina doesn’t work if you have loose skin or so-called “orange peel” cellulite.