It might not be a widely discussed topic, but stretch marks affect almost half of all pregnant women and many adolescents in Australia. And while some people think that it’s a small issue, having stretch marks can actually affect someone’s confidence and self-esteem.
But before you learn about how to get rid of stretch marks, it’s also very important to understand the most common of causes and risk factors of stretch marks:
- Pregnancy. More than half of women get stretch marks during their pregnancy, especially in the belly area due to the stretching of the skin to accommodate the growing baby. Stretch marks in pregnant women can also be caused by scratching the belly and the general weight gain that comes with the pregnancy.
- Rapid weight loss or gain. If you tried losing or gaining weight rapidly due to illness, a change in diet or just a lifestyle shift, then you probably noticed stretch marks in your abdominal area as well as your upper and lower extremities.
- Adolescence. A lot of teenagers experience stretch marks as part of their body change. Since adolescence is a time for growth spurts, these sudden changes can cause the body to get stretch marks that can easily affect the confidence of teenagers, especially with hormonal changes.
- Family history of stretch marks. According to several studies, people with a family history of stretch marks are more likely to get them at some point in their lives. These studies also discovered that women are at a higher risk for getting stretch marks than men due mostly to their genetic buildup.
- Pre-existing medical conditions. Certain medical conditions can cause stretch marks, especially genetic disorders like Marfan syndrome and Cushing syndrome.
Now that you know the different causes of stretch marks, it’s also very important to know its symptoms, so you can identify the early signs of stretch marks and have them treated before they get worse.
One of the most common symptoms of stretch marks is a reddish, brownish or even purplish discolouration on the affected area. In some cases, these discolorations may also be accompanied by tiny rashes that’s a sign of skin irritation.
Another prominent sign of stretch marks is sunken lines in the skin, most especially in the abdomen, arms and thighs that means that the skin is already stretching in those areas. If not addressed right away, these lines will eventually turn into prominent marks that will appear glossy and have white streaks in them. When this happens, the affected area will become more itchy and irritated due to the stretching, and scratching them will make the marks even worse.
The Bottomline
Stretch marks can really take a toll on your physical and emotional health, which is why it’s very important to address it with the right procedures and also the best daily habits that will allow you to improve your health in general. Of course, it’s also very important to find procedures and tools that will help you get rid of these stretch marks fast.
