The spindly bands that appear on the skin are stretch marks. Their appearance can have many causes, and once they settle on the skin, it is extremely difficult to get rid of them. Many women are still looking for effective methods on how to fight stretch marks and ways to remove stretch marks. Where do stretch marks on the skin come from? How to prevent them and how to deal with them?
What exactly are these stretch marks?
They appear most often and in large numbers in the thighs, buttocks, abdomen and bust area, although they can actually appear in any other place. These are spindle-shaped, elongated bands, visible on the skin. They can turn red, but over time they become lighter than the skin, making them very easy to spot. The problem of stretch marks affects both men and women and can appear at any age. This is usually the reason for complexes and lowered self-confidence.
What are the causes of stretch marks?
The two primary causes of stretch marks on the skin are a very rapid change in body weight and a significant weakening of connective tissue structures. However, wanting to delve into the details of the direct causes of the appearance of stretch marks on the skin, it is necessary to mention:
- endocrine disruptors
- rapid weight loss
- rapid weight gain, especially the period of pregnancy
- genetic burdens
- Taking substances containing corticoids for a long time
As a result of the above factors, elastin and collagen fibers are stretched, weakened or completely ruptured, so it is very difficult and, after a long time, even impossible to remove stretch marks on their own. Then you should reach for laser treatments. Laser stretch mark removal is the only method that can restore the skin to its former smoothness and firmness.
How to prevent stretch marks?
Removing stretch marks that have appeared on the skin requires the work of specialists in aesthetic medicine. However, it is possible to act even before the skin changes appear. It is very important to maintain an adequate level of hydration of the skin, which significantly improves its elasticity and firmness, which is very important especially during sudden weight changes. It is also necessary to properly hydrate the body, which means taking in at least 2 liters of fluids a day. Regular massages and exercises to improve skin tone also serve an effective function. During weight changes, especially during intense exercise or pregnancy, it is also recommended to oil the skin. The use of special body butters – most often cocoa butter – helps protect the skin from the formation of stretch marks.
When stretch marks appear – laser stretch mark removal
In the first phase, you can still try to remove the stretch marks yourself, but when they have managed to completely form, then only laser stretch mark removal can be effective. One method of laser stretch mark removal is the IPixel treatment. It is one of the modules of the versatile Alma Harmony XL Pro technology. It works on the principle of resurfacing to effectively remove damaged connective tissue cells and thus visible stretch marks. The IPixel laser only acts on damaged cells, to which it owes its very high effectiveness, but above all its safety during the procedure.
Effects of removing stretch marks with laser
Performing one treatment can reduce the appearance of stretch marks. To get the full effect, it is necessary to repeat this process 3 to 5 times, depending on the area, as well as the depth of the stretch marks. After performing the entire series, the skin is visibly smoother and stretch marks become invisible.