Stretch marks reduction

The skin, strongly stretched due to changes in the body shape, cannot keep up with the production of the right amount of collagen fibers and becomes weakened, as a result of which stretch marks appear, initially looking like cracks on the skin. Despite the fact that collagen fibers are very durable, and according to studies, a force of 10 kg is needed to break one collagen fiber with a diameter of 1 mm, weakening of collagen fibers can occur in both teenagers and much older people. During pregnancy, the woman's body increases the level of cortisol, called the stress hormone, which disrupts the work of fibroblasts - connective tissue cells and weakens collagen fibers, then stretch marks appear on the skin, stretched by the developing fetus.

The causes of stretch marks

Stretch marks arise as a result of skin stretching due to rapid weight gain, body shape changes in adolescence, hormonal changes during a developing pregnancy or as a result of building muscle mass. Stretch marks can appear on the breasts, abdomen, buttocks, thighs and arms.

How to deal with stretch marks?

Specially developed cosmetic treatments can help with stretch marks. They do not remove stretch marks completely, but they can visibly reduce them and make them shallow. One of the treatments used to minimize stretch marks is a chemical peel, which consists in applying to the affected skin a mixture of acetic acid - for example, glycolic acid, trichloroacetic acid and retinol. The acids are supposed to exfoliate dead epidermis and stimulate the production of elastin and collagen in the skin. There are other treatments to reduce stretch marks:

-supplementation with vitamin E.

-collagen rebuilding peels

-massages with olive oil or coconut oil

-proper diet