Stretch Marks
What It Is
Stretch marks are a common skin complaint and famously appear on the abdomen, legs, chest, buttocks and back. These distinctive scars can develop elsewhere but normally form on areas of the body that contain a higher concentration of fat.
Whilst harmless, stretch marks are lines and streaks of varying sizes that can arrive in a host of colours (red, pink, purple and blue) and may cause many people to experience a significant loss in confidence. They may not pose much of a threat to our physical health, but stretch marks are often sore, uncomfortable and can remain on the skin for a lifetime without proper cosmetic intervention.
Why It Happens
Medically, the physical appearance of stretch marks can be attributed to the lack of time that is given to the fibroblasts to form collagen and elastin – natural proteins responsible for keeping the skin taut and free from damage – during periods of rapid growth.
Stretch marks are a typical side effect of pregnancy, owing to the amount of extra pressure placed on the body by a developing baby. This can cause the skin to stretch at a rate to which it is unaccustomed. Other periods of bodily expansion, such as significant weight loss/gain or that encountered during puberty, can also lead to the appearance of stretch marks on certain areas of the body.
How it can be treated
Stretch marks normally fade over time, but will never completely disappear. Of the treatment options available, retinoid creams are probably the most popular and these can be routinely applied to the skin to kickstart its natural processes of repair. Laser therapy and microdermabrasion – two forms of non-surgical treatment that stimulate collagen production and strip away the top layers of the skin – are frequently used to reduce the visibility of more severe-looking stretch marks.
More La Fuente Conditions
-
Open Pores
Open pores are pesky, small, dimple-like pits that you might find if you look closely at your cheeks and face. They are usually spoken about in a negative light as they can contribute to a more aged look via the release of oil and sweat.
View
-
Melasma
Melasma, also referred to as chloasma or ‘the mask of pregnancy’, is a skin condition that commonly occurs in the facial areas of adults. It is a pigmentation condition that causes skin discolouration.
View
-
Excess Body Hair
Hair growth is a perfectly natural bodily process, however, this is often viewed negatively if hair starts to appear on certain parts of the body such as the legs or the face.
View
-
Uneven Skin Tone
An uneven skin tone or a pigmentation disorder can affect the colour of your skin. Those who suffer from uneven skin tone will see patches of darker skin form on different parts of their body – these areas are often referred to as ‘aged skin’.
View