​Ask Beautyfeatures.ie: How do I Get Rid of Stretch Marks?

Over 95% of all women experience stretch marks at some stage in their life. This rite of passage may present itself during our teenage years, hormonal fluctuations, the menopause, weight gain and loss and for some stretch marks are as much a part of having a baby as nappies and night feeds! This is one subject our Beautyfeatures.ie readers are always seeking solutions too – so knowing that stretch marks happen when your body grows faster than your skin can keep up with, which causes the elastic fibre’s that are present just under the skin – to break, we thought we’d give you the heads up on stretch marks and the truth about how to prevent and reduce the appearance of these self-esteem zapping silvery lines.

What are stretch marks?

The dreaded stretch mark occurs as the skin is stretched extensively over a short period of time. When the body is subjected to a rapid stretching that breaks the dermis (middle layer of the skin) this allows the skin layers beneath to show through. The dermis is a vital network of inter connected fibres that allows your skin to stretch as your body grows, but if for a reason (as stated above) your body has cause to grow quickly the fibres become thin and over stretched and may in fact break altogether. Often when stretch marks first appear they are red or purple in colour which is as a result of the blood vessels showing through, as the blood vessels shrink the pale coloured fat beneath the skin will be visible and your stretch marks will morph into a silvery white colour.

What causes stretch marks?

Stretch marks can be the result of many different issues, but all of them causing a rapid stretching of the skin. The blight of the bikini body is most prevalent throughout pregnancy, after rapid weight gain or loss, perhaps during puberty and it is thought that genetics may also play a part in their unsightly formation. On a rare occasion stretch marks can also be from an underlying health conditions such as Marfan syndrome and may appear after a prolonged or ill advised use of corticosteroid medication. For further information read our blog Farewell to Scars, Stretchmarks' and Pigmentation with Dermalogica.

Can you get rid of them?

Technically. No. However, there are many treatments that you can use that will greatly reduce and fade their appearance.

Ways to fade stretch marks:

For those with money to burn there is the choice to subject yourself to Laser therapy. This therapy uses intense wavelengths of light to help grow collagen, elastin or melanin in your skin. But if your more of a hands on girl, then we have a selection of award winning products that are a more natural approach to what is essentially a natural process that the skin undergoes when put to stress. There is also Microdermabrasion. This involves a device that blows tiny crystals onto the skin. These crystals gently polish your skin’s surface. This is a more viable option for older stretch marks that have faded to white.

Mama Mio – Goodbye Stretch Marks

A visible stretch mark minimiser that has been clinically proven to help repair pesky and persistent stretch marks – both old and new. Goodbye Stretch Marks delivers a robust blend of peptides, supported by fruit and algae extracts combined with nourishing oils that work to minimise and reduce the appearance of stretch marks. On application apply a thin layer over the stretch mark as if finger painting, and is perfectly safe for use throughout pregnancy and beyond. Why not give it a try?

Thalgo Stretch Mark Cream

Beautifully enriched with marine extracts this stretch mark cream is ideal for pre and post pregnancy, adolescence and weight gain and loss. It works to soften and support the skin so that it is strengthened and able to tolerate extensive stretching whilst diminishing the appearance of stretch marks. Not only does it restructure and fortify tissues it also promotes new cellular activity.

Clarins Stretch Mark Control

The classic brilliance of Clarins is evident in their stretch mark control cream. Designed to improve and enhance the skins elasticity and self-healing process. It works to protect skin firming collagen and elastin as it fades and reduces the colour of new stretch marks. Clarins Stretch Mark Control stimulates the skin to repair as it delivers a super comforting texture that doubles as a gorgeous massage medium. It is a rich yet non oily, fragrance and colour free cream that creates skin soothing relaxation

Have you ever gotten stretch marks? What wonders have worked for you?