Stretch Marks
The stretching due to rapid growth or weight changes, may lead to tearing of the dermis leading to scaring on the skin, which gradually may diminish, but will not disappear completely.
Stretch marks may be formed by hormonal changes associated with puberty, pregnancy, bodybuilding etc.
Stretch marks formed during pregnancy, mostly during the last trimester, are seen on the belly, but also commonly occur on the breasts, thighs, hips, lower back and buttocks also. They are known as striae gravidarum
Symptoms and signs
The appearance of stretch marks depends on the color of the skin; they can start out pink, reddish brown, brown, or dark brown, and fade over time to a more silvery color.
Most likely to appear in places where larger amounts of fat are stored.
They affect the health in no way, but have an important part in cosmetics
The glucocorticoid hormones is responsible for the development of stretch marks. They affect the dermis by preventing the fibroblasts from forming collagen and elastin fibers, which keep rapidly growing skin taut. This creates a lack of supportive material, as the skin is stretched and leads to dermal and epidermal tearing.
Prevention
In The sustained hormonal levels as a result of pregnancy leads to stretch marks mainly during the sixth or seventh month, primarily during the 3rd trimester. It is believed that the creams and oils containing Vitamin E can prevent the marks upto some extent.
Removal
When stretch marks show up, it’s best to treat them as early as possible.
In recent years new technology, called Platelet Rich Plasma Therapy has come to show great promise. Along with the benefit of using your own tissue and liminating allergy , the power of your own stem cells are used for benefit.
The benefits to you are that platelet rich plasma can rejuvenate your skin improving texture and lines with a gradual natural change. By placing it into the deeper skin layer fibroblasts and other cells can be stimulated to give a glowing and smooth skin, as it increases the collagen and elastin production.
The production of more cells will help the damaged dermis to become more elastic and leaving the scars and marks behind.