Finding a natural remedy for your stretch marks

 Stretch marks are often noticed  due to over stretching of the tissue of the body as in fat people, pregnant mothers etc.

 Stretch marks are lines developed on the layer of the skin. Anyone can develop stretch marks  although  some studies suggested that it affects women more than men. Some stretch marks are natural and are not associated to any health problem. However some people found it uncomfortable and irritating. The parts of the body that are affected by stretch marks includes, the breast, thigh, stomach. Buttocks. Dr Macrene Alexaides-Armenakas a dermatologist, noted that stretch marks are often associated with the rapid growth spurts (muscle or weight related) and high hormonal levels that occur during pregnancy (about 90% of women will get them sometime after their sixth or seventh month of pregnancy), puberty and bodybuilding. According to medicalnewstoday, they form in the demis or the middle layer of the skin when the connective tissues are stretched beyond the limits  of its elasticity. A study published in ncbi  also pointed out that stretch marks (striae)are indented streaks that often affect the abdomen, buttocks, thighs, back, breast, axillae and groin. The study further stressed that stretch marks  are classified according to the appearance or epidemiology, thus they are classified as 

Striae atrophilians (thinned skin)

Striae gravidarum (following pregnancy)

Striae rubrae(red)

Striae albae (white)

Striae nigra (black)

Striae caerulea (dark blue)

Striae are form of demal scarring associated with stretching of dermis. 

Causes of stretch marks

Genetic factors : Some studies have associated stretch marks with genetic factors

Medical condition  such as Marfan syndrome

Pregnancy Studies have shown that pregnancy stretch marks are common in younger women than older women.  Steretch marks occur during pregnancy as a result of stretched skin and a surge in hormones that weakens the skin fibre.  A study also reported that striae (stretch marks) are more prevalent in smokers than non-smokers.

 According to research, there is no parmanent cure for stretch marks but some home remedies can help minimize the appearance of stretch marks and could help them fade more quickly. 

Remedy for stretch marks

Creams such that containes retinioc acid  a compound related to vitamin A may help to fade away the stretch marks by increasing collagen production. An article in Jama dermatology noted that application of tretinoin (Retinoic acid)i the clinical appearance of early, active stretch marks. The processes that are responsible for the clinical improvement remain unknown.

Sugar is used as a natural exfoliant for skin. Exfoliating the skin encourages the growth of new skin cells, which may help reduce the appearance of the stretch marks. Mixture of sugar and almond oil or virgin coconut oil can help remove the stretch marks. 

Bitter almond oil  One study shows that women who massage into the skin on their bellies during pregnancy had fewer stretch marks than those who just ust oil without massage.

Aloe vera gel can be used to effectively treat all kinds of skin conditions. A research published in pubmed showed that that Aloe vera and sweet almond oil creams are more effective in decreasing itching and erythema and preventing the spread of striae on the surface of abdomen. Stretch marks can also be treated medically using laser therapy, microdermabrasion, microneedling and other form of medical treatment that may help to reduce the severity of the mark.

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Sources: www.ncbi.nim.nih.gov/stretch marks

                 www.webmd.com/what are stretch 

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                 www.healthline.com/how to get rid of                   your stretch marks