Although many think that it can only happen to pregnant women, there are many moments in our lives when stretch marks can appear, from puberty to simply a time when we have changed significantly in weight in a very short time.
What are stretch marks
They are neither more nor less than scars or lesions that form on the skin. During pregnancy or when a person loses or gains a lot of weight in a short period of time, the epidermis tightens and loses thickness, breaking the internal collagen and elastin fibers and developing stretch marks as a result. It usually occurs on the belly, chest, upper thighs, hips, and buttocks.
These marks can also appear during adolescence, because this is the time that with rapid growth and hormonal disorder, the skin becomes "stressed" and forms those little red lines, which will turn pearly white over time.
How stretch marks evolve
Stretch marks always begin with inflammation, with an edema on the surface of the skin. Then it is slightly bulky and red or purple in color . In a second stage, after a long healing process (6 to 18 months), the stretch mark lowers its relief and becomes narrower. It turns into a white line on the skin. It is at this stage that it can be most difficult to treat.
Better to prevent or treat them at the beginning
As the loss of collagen and elastin is decisive and, if they are not well prepared, the skin breaks, creams with highly effective components that treat the problem from within should be applied. It does not work with a simple moisturizer. Anti-stretch mark products are an excellent ally to apply as prevention during pregnancy and when they have appeared, but are in their initial phase, when they are reddish. At that time, it should be applied daily and for a few weeks to blur and even eliminate them
What ingredients should an anti-stretch mark cosmetic include
Very nutritious vegetable oils (almond, wheat germ, rice germ, jojoba, etc.) are a great source of essential fatty acids and vitamins and, therefore, a good option because they provide elasticity to the skin. Rosehip oil is one of the most effective, because it has a great regenerative power on damaged tissues. As for anti-stretch mark creams, some of the star ingredients are gotu kola, silicon, collagen, hyaluronic acid and retinol.
And is there an effective treatment against stretch marks?
Depending on the case, it can be difficult to remove them completely. Let us remember that they are scars. But, on many occasions, they CAN be made practically invisible and there is a commitment to reduce them by between 50 and 80%.
- Red stretch marks . They are more recent and their color indicates that there is still blood circulation in them, so they can be blurred with techniques such as microdermabrasion (exfoliation at deep levels to promote cell renewal) or carboxytherapy (carbon dioxide injections, which are also very good to fight cellulite).
- White stretch marks. Being more mature, you have to resort to lasers. The power of fractional technology is used to reduce the appearance of marks without damaging the surrounding tissue. The natural healing process removes damaged tissue and produces collagen and elastin to create new tissue. The result is good, but not immediate. Usually 4 sessions are carried out (one per month) and after that time you have to wait another 3 months to see the final result. It is the time it takes for the new collagen to form again. The price depends on the center and the sessions, but the treatment exceeds € 600-750.
What can I do at home to prevent stretch marks?
- When you shower. Gradually lower the water temperature from hot to cold to activate circulation and keep skin toned.
- In the table. Follow a diet rich in protein and vitamins A, C and E. It will improve the quality of your skin.
- Are you planning to go on a diet? If you decide to lose weight, especially do it gradually and controlled by a nutritionist. Find a diet that does not make you suffer and remember that sudden changes in weight can cause stretch marks.
- Massages When applying the oil or anti-stretch mark cream, do so in an upward, circular motion to stimulate blood flow.
- Exercise. Practice some physical activity (yes, yoga or brisk walking will also work). It will help you not to lose the elasticity of the tissues.
Patience and perseverance are the keywords to make those stretch marks disappear … And, while you get to work with the best anti- stretch mark creams that we offer you below, you do not have to resort to photoshop when you take photos in a bikini. Do like Kourtney Kardashian, who shows off her stretch marks without complexes or retouching on her Instagram.
Although many think that it can only happen to pregnant women, there are many moments in our lives when stretch marks can appear, from puberty to simply a time when we have changed significantly in weight in a very short time.
What are stretch marks
They are neither more nor less than scars or lesions that form on the skin. During pregnancy or when a person loses or gains a lot of weight in a short period of time, the epidermis tightens and loses thickness, breaking the internal collagen and elastin fibers and developing stretch marks as a result. It usually occurs on the belly, chest, upper thighs, hips, and buttocks.
These marks can also appear during adolescence, because this is the time that with rapid growth and hormonal disorder, the skin becomes "stressed" and forms those little red lines, which will turn pearly white over time.
How stretch marks evolve
Stretch marks always begin with inflammation, with an edema on the surface of the skin. Then it is slightly bulky and red or purple in color . In a second stage, after a long healing process (6 to 18 months), the stretch mark lowers its relief and becomes narrower. It turns into a white line on the skin. It is at this stage that it can be most difficult to treat.
Better to prevent or treat them at the beginning
As the loss of collagen and elastin is decisive and, if they are not well prepared, the skin breaks, creams with highly effective components that treat the problem from within should be applied. It does not work with a simple moisturizer. Anti-stretch mark products are an excellent ally to apply as prevention during pregnancy and when they have appeared, but are in their initial phase, when they are reddish. At that time, it should be applied daily and for a few weeks to blur and even eliminate them
What ingredients should an anti-stretch mark cosmetic include
Very nutritious vegetable oils (almond, wheat germ, rice germ, jojoba, etc.) are a great source of essential fatty acids and vitamins and, therefore, a good option because they provide elasticity to the skin. Rosehip oil is one of the most effective, because it has a great regenerative power on damaged tissues. As for anti-stretch mark creams, some of the star ingredients are gotu kola, silicon, collagen, hyaluronic acid and retinol.
And is there an effective treatment against stretch marks?
Depending on the case, it can be difficult to remove them completely. Let us remember that they are scars. But, on many occasions, they CAN be made practically invisible and there is a commitment to reduce them by between 50 and 80%.
- Red stretch marks . They are more recent and their color indicates that there is still blood circulation in them, so they can be blurred with techniques such as microdermabrasion (exfoliation at deep levels to promote cell renewal) or carboxytherapy (carbon dioxide injections, which are also very good to fight cellulite).
- White stretch marks. Being more mature, you have to resort to lasers. The power of fractional technology is used to reduce the appearance of marks without damaging the surrounding tissue. The natural healing process removes damaged tissue and produces collagen and elastin to create new tissue. The result is good, but not immediate. Usually 4 sessions are carried out (one per month) and after that time you have to wait another 3 months to see the final result. It is the time it takes for the new collagen to form again. The price depends on the center and the sessions, but the treatment exceeds € 600-750.
What can I do at home to prevent stretch marks?
- When you shower. Gradually lower the water temperature from hot to cold to activate circulation and keep skin toned.
- In the table. Follow a diet rich in protein and vitamins A, C and E. It will improve the quality of your skin.
- Are you planning to go on a diet? If you decide to lose weight, especially do it gradually and controlled by a nutritionist. Find a diet that does not make you suffer and remember that sudden changes in weight can cause stretch marks.
- Massages When applying the oil or anti-stretch mark cream, do so in an upward, circular motion to stimulate blood flow.
- Exercise. Practice some physical activity (yes, yoga or brisk walking will also work). It will help you not to lose the elasticity of the tissues.
Patience and perseverance are the keywords to make those stretch marks disappear … And, while you get to work with the best anti- stretch mark creams that we offer you below, you do not have to resort to photoshop when you take photos in a bikini. Do like Kourtney Kardashian, who shows off her stretch marks without complexes or retouching on her Instagram.
Promofarma
€ 33.98 € 40.38Elancyl: cream with safflower oil and vitamin E
Stretch marks start as reddish lesions that mature and leave whitish scars. To prevent them, Elancyl has formulated this cream that deeply nourishes the skin. It helps to reduce stretch marks and prevents new ones from coming out.
MyPharma
€ 18.07 € 20.33Atlantia: with 100% natural ingredients
In addition to pure aloe vera from the Canary Islands, which is the star ingredient of this firm, the Regestimul cream incorporates shea butter, which has a high content of vitamin F and 100% pure rosehip oil, with high regenerative capacity, which helps to improve skin tone and texture. If you are a lover of natural and vegan cosmetics, you will love this cream.
Amazon
€ 15.78 € 20Babé: corrective and preventive
The rosehip oil and gotu kola present in the formula of this cream favor the repairing process of the tissues. This healing action is joined by other ingredients such as milk thistle or seed sprouts, which promote elasticity and flexibility of the skin, and vitamin E, which fights free radicals.
Promofarma
€ 33.48+ Farma Dorsch: accelerates cell renewal
Laboratorios + Farma Dorsch has used regenerating and healing active ingredients to formulate its Anti-Stretch Mark Cream, a treatment that reinforces and stimulates cell regeneration, favoring the progressive disappearance of stretch marks and cracks in the skin. Among its star ingredients: rosehip oil and extracts of gotu kola and horsetail.
Amazon
€ 21.16 28.95Suavinex: anti-stretch marks for sensitive skin
One of the attractions of this anti-stretch mark cream is its light texture, easily absorbed, and its pleasant smell. With 89% ingredients of natural origin, the gotu kola and hyaluronic acid stand out. And to take into account its size, because it is 500 ml. Do you want to know what other uses for hyaluronic acid, apart from deeply hydrating?
Promofarma
€ 18.68 € 21.80Weleda: anti-stretch mark massage oil
Taking on a few extra pounds in a very short period of time - something that has happened to more than one during confinement - causes the skin to tighten and crack. And there are the fatal stretch marks. Before they "mature" and become more difficult to remove, massage the area with an oil rich in nourishing ingredients, such as this one from Weleda, which combines the action of jojoba and almond oil.
Lookfantastic
€ 28.45Mama mio: butter with combination of oils
Tummy Rub butter is one of the most used by future moms who see their tummy grow and grow and do not want the tension of the skin to cause stretch marks. Experts recommend applying it twice a day, massaging from the upper part of the chest to the lower part of the belly, covering everything well. With a dense but fast-absorbing texture, its clinically proven formula is a unique combination of avocado, sacha inchi and argan oils (rich in omegas 3, 6 and 9), which helps keep skin elastic and firm.
Perfumes Club
€ 31.86Biotherm: delicately scented oil
Enriched with Life Plankton water, an exclusive Biotherm complex, which has a powerful regenerative action, the brand ensures that this powerful combination of correcting oils (rapeseed, sweet almond and olive) improves the pigmentation and relief of stretch marks in so only 28 days, leaving it visibly smoother and more elastic. It does not contain alcohol, silicones or parabens.
Promofarma
€ 19.79 € 21.69Bio Oil: the most popular
If not the most popular one because it is a CEITE multipurpose we've heard a lot about having very good value. Used by celebrities and influencers, its active ingredients include vitamins A and E, which promote the formation of collagen, which is responsible for restoring the elasticity of the skin. In addition, it provides an important antioxidant action, protecting the skin against free radicals.
MyPharma
€ 11.45 € 19.36Uriage: intense nourishing oil
Bariederm Cica Oil prevents the appearance of stretch marks and corrects existing ones, making it perfect for the skin care of pregnant women and mothers. Although it is also indicated in other situations in which the body undergoes changes, such as sudden weight gain or marks after an operation. It contains jojoba, avocado and sunflower oil, among other ingredients, all of them rich in omegas and vitamins.
MyPharma
€ 19.45 € 24.45Isdin: collagen activator
Its highly concentrated formula, with gotu kola, rosehip oil and vitamin E, allows the formation of collagen to be activated to prevent and treat stretch marks. Dermatologically tested, it has been clinically evaluated by more than 500 women, obtaining very satisfactory results.
Amazon
€ 39Me and Me: Anti-stretch and anti-stress ultra mask
It seems like a play on words, but it is. Me and Me's anti-stretch mark cream is also firming (it claims to increase skin firmness by 53%) and contains neurocosmetic ingredients, which help reduce stress and cortisol levels. And one more plus: it includes prebiotics that maintain skin health, restoring microbiological balance. Very complete.
