To Anyone Who Has Stretch Marks

WHAT CAUSES STRETCH MARKS?

Your middle layer of skin is called ‘dermis’ - Stretch marks happen when this stretches, causing it to tear, allowing the deeper skin layers to show through.

The dermis contains strong, inter-connected fibres that allow your skin to stretch as your body grows. However, rapid growth can cause the skin to over-stretch and break these fibres.

At first the stretch marks will appear purple, this is a result of your blood vessels, but when they contract, the stretch marks will change to a silvery-white colour.

However, stretch marks can be caused by more than just rapid weight gain Other causes include:

• Pregnancy (doctors refer to this as striae gravidarum)

This usually happens in the later stages, just before you are about to pop out little Jimmy. It affects about 8 out of 10 pregnant women and usually those who are fortunate enough to avoid stretch marks have more elasticated skin.

It isn’t just little Jimmy making your tummy blow up which causes the stretch marks, it’s your hormones. They are going crackers, softening the ligaments in your pelvis so you are more flexible when you give birth. However, the same hormones also soften the fibres in your skin, making it more prone to stretch marks! Remember – “eating for two is a myth”, stick to a healthy and nutritious diet and don’t use pregnancy as an excuse to over indulge!

• During puberty

As if acne and mood swings weren’t bad enough. This is the result of growth spurts where the body develops quickly. Lads tend to develop stretch marks on their back and shoulders, lasses may notice them on their tummy, thighs or boobs.

• If you have a underlying health condition or syndrome (Marfan syndrome is an example)

Marfan syndrome is caused by a faulty gene that weakens the body's skin and connective tissues, reducing their elasticity (ability to stretch). This means the skin isn't as resistant to stretch marks as it should be. If you think this may be a cause, your GP can send you for blood, urine or imaging testing.

Cushing’s syndrome is another problem and happens when the blood contains high levels of cortisol (that dreaded word again – see previous blog), this can result in wide, large stretch marks than can even appear on the face!

• If you have a family history of stretch marks

If your mother has stretch marks you are more likely to get them also. Although they can occur in both male and female family members, stretch marks do typically occur more often than women. Sorry ladies.

• Even after prolonged or inappropriate use of medication

Overuse of creams and lotions for skin conditions can cause stretch marks, this is because of corticosteroids. They work similarly to cortisol in the sense that they can ease inflammatory skin conditions but they also reduce the amount of collagen in your skin. Collagen is a protein that helps keep your skin stretchy. Less stretchy skin = increased likelihood of stretch marks.

TYPICAL PLACES FOR STRETCH MARKS TO OCCUR

They tend to occur anywhere where fat has been stored, some of the places you may notice stretch marks include:

• Tummy (abdomen)

• Breasts

• Upper arms

• Buttocks

• Thighs

• Shoulders (in bodybuilders)

• Back (this is where I got them in my youth and they are still there. On the back they tend to form over the spine horizontally, like the rungs on a ladder)

HOW DO I GET RID OF THE BASTARDS?

1. Camouflage

Cosmetic camouflage (make-up) is available at boots and the like. It can be used for small areas of skin affected by stretch marks. Some types are waterproof and can last two to three days.

2. Creams, Gels and Lotions

If your stretch marks are purple, this may be an option. However, these won’t prevent stretch marks or make them disappear permanently, despite of the bogus claims of the manufacturers.

Tretinoin cream (Retin-A, Renova) can restore collagen, but it can cause irritability and shouldn’t be used if you are preggers.

3. Laser Therapy

If you notice stretch marks appearing (they will be red or purple) you can opt for pulsed dye laser treatment – its pain free. The energy from the laser is absorbed by the blood vessels underneath your stretch marks and the blood vessels collapse causing the red/purple colouring to disappear completely or turn white.

Sounds great, but this isn’t available on the NHS and will cost you a small fortune. You may also need more than one treatment

Fractional photothermolysis is another laser treatment. If you have loads of stretch marks this isn’t ideal, but if you have small areas then this is an option.

The excimer laser is another option - it stimulates skin colour (melanin) production so that stretch marks match the surrounding skin more closely.

4. Cosmetic Surgery

The process is known as an abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) and the cost is fucking extortionate. You will have excess fat and skin removed. The NHS won’t stump up the fee, there’s a shit load of risk involved and you could end up with scarring anyway. Is it worth it? Personally, if it were me, I’d work on my confidence and self-esteem (loads of helpful hypnosis videos uploaded by GP’s and other health professionals on YouTube) and stick to a healthy food and training program to limit the risk of more developing.

Microdermabrasion - This involves polishing the skin with tiny crystals to reveal new skin that’s under the more elastic stretch marks. Microdermabrasion can improve the appearance of older stretch marks.

BOTTOM LINE

1. Stop yo-yo dieting. Diets DO NOT WORK, if they did, then why are there a million different ‘miracle diets’ but also an obesity epidemic? Think about it. There are vitamins and minerals that will keep your skin healthy, such as vitamin E, C, minerals as zinc and silicon. Contact me for recipe guidance.

2. If you are seriously depressed over your stretch marks contact ‘Changing Faces’ or the ‘British Association of Skin Camouflage’. They can offer support. You will find both on Google.

3. It’s just another part of yourself that society tells you that you have to hate. Refuse to hate it. Media have an agenda and are paid a lot of money to advertise products produced by huge corporations that make millions from your crushed self esteem. Fuck them. Work on your self-esteem and confidence, so what if you have some stretch marks? Who doesn’t? Learn to love and accept yourself then it isn’t a problem anymore is it?