Suddenly they are there:stretch marks on your hips, stomach or breasts. Can you do something about that or not?
Stretch marks are not a rare skin phenomenon. Nearly three quarters of women will experience it at some point in their lives. But how exactly do you get it? Marjolein Leenarts is a dermatologist and founder of the skin care brand Drs. loan doctor. She knows all about stretch marks:“Stretch marks can't hurt. It is really a cosmetic 'problem'. Women often don't like the stretch marks, especially when they stand out.”
Stretch marks are subcutaneous scars caused by tears in the collagen and elastin fibers in the skin. “This usually happens due to the rapid stretching of the skin, for example during pregnancy or during a growth spurt during puberty,” says Leenarts. Hormones can also play a role in the development of stretch marks. Under the influence of hormonal factors, the collagen in the skin can decrease, causing the skin to be damaged more quickly. You can recognize stretch marks by their striped appearance – almost like claw marks. In the beginning, the welts are pink, red or purple. They become lighter after a few months. Stretch marks can basically appear anywhere on the body, but there are popular spots. Leenarts:“The BBBB zone is an area where stretch marks are common:the abdomen, buttocks, legs and breasts.” Although stretch marks are common, not all women experience them.
This has to do with genetic predisposition, but also with lifestyle:women who smoke and women of color are more likely to get stretch marks. And are you under thirty and do you get pregnant? Even then you are more likely to get stretch marks than if you get pregnant at a later age. Leenarts:“This is because the connective tissue of younger women is tighter, making it less likely to stretch and therefore tearing more quickly.” That stretch marks are a typical women's problem is a misconception. Men can also get stretch marks when the skin stretches. “Boys who have a growth spurt during puberty can get stretch marks. The problem can also arise when men gain a lot of weight in a short period of time," says Leenarts.
Read also: "Why do you look slimmer when you're tan?"
If you are pregnant, gain weight in a short period of time or grow a lot of muscle quickly, you can assume that stretch marks are part of the package. Research has shown that hyaluronic acid could help prevent stretch marks, but according to Dr. Marjolein Leenarts, no ingredient has been scientifically proven to be effective for stretch marks. “In short, you cannot prevent stretch marks. Of course it can't hurt to keep your skin supple with a moisturizing cream, but so-called anti-stretch marks don't do what they promise. The ingredients in stretch mark products simply cannot penetrate the skin that deeply.” Specific care for skin with stretch marks is not necessary. Treat stretch marks just like the rest of your body, with a moisturizing body lotion or cream.
