Treating Stretch Marks - Facts and Myths

Stretch marks have become one of the leading skin problems among today's generation. The instances of this disorder are fast increasing owing to unhealthy lifestyle. In dermatology, this skin disorder is described as Striae distensae and it is considered as a fairly harmless problem. However, people fear the disorder most because it mars the beauty of their skin for an indefinite period of time. It is caused when the skin is stretched beyond its bearable limits. Hence it is popularly known as "stretch" marks.

In general medicine, there is no specific treatment or medication to remove stretch marks completely. It fades off by the passage of time. It takes 5 to 10 years for a fully developed stretch mark to disappear. This is the main reason why people are so frantic about stretch marks and they take several steps to prevent and cure the problem. Stretch marks are commonly seen in obese people because their skin is stretched as they grow fat. Similar is the case with pregnant woman. They get stretch marks on their belly and waist as their stomach bulges towards the end of their pregnancy period. It is caused due to the tearing of the dermis that becomes incapable of producing enough collagen to cover the expansion process. Usual skin problems affect the epidermis but stretch marks affect the underlying dermis layer. This is the reason why it cannot be treated like any other skin disorder.

During the past few years, there is an increasing awareness about this growing skin problem and people all over are searching for ways and means to free their skin from this disorder. They are aware of the fact that these marks wean off on their own and they cannot be possibly eradicated at once. Yet they are searching for remedies that can speed up the process.

The increasing demand for stretch mark treatments have led to increased researches and experiments by scientists all over. And consequently manufacturers of cosmetic products have come up with several products that claim to remove or reduce these marks within months. However, not all of these products function as they claim to but certainly there are some items that help in faster healing of the damaged tissue which reduces the intensity of these marks considerably. Skin creams and lotions containing elements like Centella asiatica, Elastin, Vitamin E, hyaluronic acid, collagen-elastin hydrolysates, menthol and panthenol have proved beneficial in faster removal of stretch marks.

Consumption of nutritious food items rich in proteins, vitamin E, and omega fatty acids also helps in making our skin healthier and function faster. This internally helps in accelerating the pace of stretch mark treatments.

There are many products marketed by online advertisers and companies that give a money-back guarantee and promise to treat the stretch marks within months or even weeks. Such products can bring harmful side affects in future even if they appear to reduce your marks. Some of these products contain chemicals that bleach the entire skin tone so that the stretch marks become less visible but within a matter of weeks they again show up prominently.