subject: Red Stretch Marks – What Causes It and How to Get Rid of It [print this page] Various body changes such as growth spurts, sudden weight gain, pregnancy, and puberty can cause overstretching of the skin's connective tissues which can cause tearing that result to red stretch marks. These scars do not need medications but a lot of people feel ashamed to have these marks on their skin.
Red stretch marks are newly formed marks while old marks are colored silver or white. Sometimes, these new marks can be colored purple. Actually, there are a lot of other causes for the formation of these marks aside from those mentioned. Skin stretching is not only the sole reason for the development of the scars on the skin. The hormones are also playing an important role in the formation of the stretch marks.
The hormone called glucocorticoid plays an important role in stretch mark formation. These glucocorticoids are hormones that are increased during puberty and pregnancy. It can also be increased in patients that are overweight and pregnant. The glucocorticoids are produced by the adrenal glands but the levels can also be increased when the individual is taking medications such as steroids. These steroids can also weaken the skin's connective tissues that can cause breakage which can result to formation of stretch marks.
The breakage occurs in the inner layer of the skin, particularly in the dermis. When the connective tissues are torn, it becomes inflamed and this is what you see as red stretch marks. The effects of glucocorticoids make the skin's connective tissues weak which results to immediate breakage. These hormones prevent the fibroblasts from forming collagen and other fibers which is essential in keeping the skin tight. Hence, when these fibers break, the result would be stretch marks.
Apparently, stretch marks are permanent. There are no solutions for stretch marks except for cosmetic surgery. However, there are some products that promise to reduce the appearance of stretch marks. If you are pregnant and you'd like to use these stretch mark products, it would be best to consult your attending physician first before you decide to use it.
There are also other dermatological procedures that can help in eliminating stretch marks. A good example of this procedure would be laser therapy for stretch marks. According to some medical experts, laser therapy can help in permanently reducing the appearance of the stretch marks on the skin. If you are planning to undergo laser therapy for your stretch marks, it would be best to consult your physician first. You attending physician will assess the stretch marks on your skin and determine the number of sessions you will need to reduce the appearance of the stretch marks. Laser therapy is usually effective for red stretch marks but not as effective for the old or white stretch marks.
Usually, dermatological procedures for stretch marks are quite expensive. A single session would already cost a lot of money and usually, reducing the appearance of stretch marks would require at least six sessions, depending on the severity of the marks on the skin.
Red Stretch Marks What Causes It and How to Get Rid of It
