Stretch marks are just about the most common skin markings on the planet and affect most of the population at one time or other in their lives. Known by doctors as Striae, stretch marks occur when the skin literally stretches – usually during pregnancy or from rapid weight loss or weight gain – and you are left with unsightly red lines, which fade in time to white. Stretch marks never actually go away – you are stuck with them for life – but their appearance can be minimized with carefully-chosen products, and steps can be taken to reduce the likelihood of getting them.
Stretch marks affect mainly women, and we are most certainly the ones who complain about them the most. Stretch marks can also affect men, and teenagers often get them during the rapid growth spurts that come with puberty. The most common places the stretch marks appear include the stomach area in women, especially during and after pregnancy, and around the breast and hip areas of girls as they grow.
With boys, the most common places for stretch marks are arms and shoulders; sometimes even the back. Bodybuilders who build their muscles up massively often get stretch marks in these areas when the skin stretches due to the underlying muscle bulk. This is often made worse by the fact that many bodybuilders take steroids, which can cause the skin to become thinner thus making the stretch marks worse.
Stretch marks are unsightly but harmless! Most women hate the fact that they have them and try and hide them away, but there is a wonderful line in the film “Shirley Valentine” where Kostas the Greek points out to Shirley that her pregnancy stretch marks are something to be proud of, as they are a sign of life. I rather liked that, and it made me feel a lot better about mine. I blame the children!
Whether or not a person will actually get stretch marks is a bit of a lottery; it depends on the actual makeup and elasticity of the collagen in any one individual’s skin. Taking care of your skin and keeping it smooth and moisturised may help to prevent you developing stretch marks.
What most people do not realise is that your skin is the largest organ in your body, and one of the most susceptible to your lifestyle. It goes without saying that eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly and avoiding alcohol and tobacco will help to keep your skin in optimum condition.
Choosing your bath and shower products carefully also helps; try to avoid harsh soaps and gels and look for organic product that don’t contain chemicals if you can. Moisturising daily is essential to keep your skin soft and supple, and natural products like cocoa butter are renowned for their skin nourishing properties. If your skin is healthy and properly cared for, then any stretch marks that life gives you will be minimal.