Stretch Mark Scars

Stretch mark scars occur on your body at times of rapid growth. When your skin is trying to expand too fast for your body to keep up, then you get stretch mark scars. When your skin grows, it does so at a rate that the body can deal with. Like growing hair or nails, your body is designed to cope with stretching skin at a reasonable rate. That’s how you can get from a baby to an adult-sized human without all of your skin being discoloured. However, certain times of your life are going to be marked with growth spurts that are well outside the norm. This happens when your body is undergoing other changes, especially hormonal ones. The most common times for stretch mark scars to occur are during an adolescent growth spurt or during pregnancy.

The single most important factor in preventing stretch mark scars is moisture. Stretch mark scars develop when your skin is pulled and stretched by growth underneath it. When this happens too quickly for your body to handle, the fibres that hold your skin together tear, which leaves the discoloured stretch mark scars. The elastin and collagen fibers are less flexible and more likely to tear when they are dehydrated, so you can see why maintaining high levels of moisture is vital to preventing stretch mark scars.

Most women include moisturiser in their daily routines. There are two ways to achieve this. The best way of preventing stretch mark scars is to pay attention to both. The first is maintaining internal fluids, and the second is by externally caring for your skin, especially the areas that are prone to stretch mark scars. Preventing stretch mark scars is much better than having to apply remedies and treatments, which aren’t guaranteed to remove the marks that have occurred.

The simplest and best way to keep yourself moisturized is to always have a glass or bottle of water handy, and sip at it out of reflex. Get into a habit of drinking small amounts of water regularly. Keeping yourself moisturized is important not only to prevent stretch mark scars from occurring, but for your general health. It is especially important when your body is undergoing times of stress and change, such as during pregnancy, which is when stretch mark scars arise.

The second important key to preventing stretch mark scars is by moisturising your skin. Externally moisturising provides a direct application of support to your skin, helping the fibers that are under stress to perform at their peak. Make a daily habit of rubbing moisturiser into areas of your skin that are going to receive the most pressure from the rapid growth. Generally, this is where deposits of fat will be stored, because this is where weight will accumulate and shift the fastest. For most women, stretch mark scars tend to occur around the breasts, lower stomach, thighs and buttocks. So, while a good all-over moisturise once every two or three days is fine, it’s a good idea to moisturise these areas daily during periods when stretch mark scars are likely to develop.

Following these two simple tips will help you prevent stretch mark scars from occurring on your body. However, they are by no means a guarantee. Luckily, there are a wide range of treatments to help deal with stretch mark scars if they do develop. Even if stretch mark scars start to form on your body, make sure you continue to stay well moisturised and moisturise daily. Doing so will stop any more from occurring and minimise the ones that do occur.