Stretch marks on legs: how to remove and avoid their appearance

04/05/2018 Category: Stretch marksAuthor: Lara Lisina

Many of us, unfortunately, have had to deal with stretch marks on our legs. And anyone who is unlucky enough to own them will probably agree that these white stripes on the skin look unaesthetic. But is it possible to get rid of this scourge and how to remove them at home?

• How to remove stretch marks on legs
  How can you get rid of stretch marks on legs at home?

  Photo gallery: medications for stretch marks

• Video: DIY cream

The essence of the natural process of stretch marks

Our skin consists of several layers (epidermis, dermis and hypodermis). The surface layer, the epidermis, is the most plastic and mobile.

Even if our body quickly loses or gains weight, the epidermis stretches in accordance with the changes occurring in the body.

However, the second layer of skin, the dermis, is not so elastic, and with sharp fluctuations in weight, tears can occur in it. They are the visible stretch marks (striae).

If the necessary substances, primarily collagen, are not enough for the complete restoration of the dermis, then the resulting scars do not heal completely, turning into unsightly white stripes on the surface of the skin.

Causes of stretch marks

Stretch marks on the legs or any other parts of the body appear as a result of a sharp increase or decrease in weight caused by changes in the hormonal balance of the body.

The level of certain hormones also affects the elasticity and intensity of skin restoration. The most common causes of stretch marks are:

• intensive growth of the body during puberty;
• pregnancy and breastfeeding;
• disturbances in blood circulation;
• taking oral contraceptives and other hormone-containing drugs;
• diseases of the thyroid glands and other hormonal disorders.

What are striae?

Striae are an unpleasant cosmetic defect that can occur on almost any part of the dermis, regardless of the person’s age and gender. Excessive, sharp stretching of the skin, which leads to the appearance of microtraumas of the skin, resulting in the appearance of areas of skin atrophy in the form of stripes. Depending on the stage of development, stretch marks can be red, blue (purple) or white.

Most often, stretch marks occur in the following areas:

• The back, namely the lumbar region. Typically typical for teenagers. It can occur as a result of obesity, intense physical activity, or hormonal imbalance.
• Red stretch marks on the abdomen in women are associated with the period of gestation. For nulliparous women and men, the appearance of stretch marks may be associated with a sharp increase in fat mass or endocrine pathologies.
• The appearance of atrophic stripes on the chest in men is associated with an intensive gain of muscle mass (such stretch marks, as a rule, spread to the inner area of ​​the shoulder), in women - with the period of gestation, breastfeeding, and surgical breast augmentation.
• Stretch marks on the calves often occur during pregnancy, intense training, or sudden weight loss.
• The appearance of stretch marks on the thighs is associated with a sudden increase in fat or muscle mass as a result of hormonal changes in adolescents and women during pregnancy.
• Atrophic stripes on the knees occur with sudden weight gain or loss.
• The appearance of atrophic stripes on the buttocks in both men and women may be associated with intense training. Adolescents and women during pregnancy are also susceptible to stretch marks in the buttock area.
• In rare cases, as a result of hormonal imbalance or excessive mechanical damage to the subcutaneous tissue and skin, stretch marks can even appear on the skin of the face.

To eliminate the defect, it is necessary to resort to cosmetic or surgical methods.

Remedies to combat stretch marks

Whether you can get rid of stretch marks depends on two main reasons:

• type (degree of maturation) of striae;
• effectiveness of the selected activities.

With the right approach, it is quite possible to “say goodbye” to recently appeared red or pink stretch marks. But old scars that have already turned white are really difficult to remove from the surface of the skin.

The only thing that can be done is to make the damage to the skin less noticeable using laser resurfacing procedures, special creams, etc.

Fresh stretch marks are easier to deal with, but only if you take an integrated approach to solving the problem. We have to take care of sufficient hydration of the body, increasing the intensity of blood circulation, and local procedures for caring for problem areas of the skin.

What can you do at home?

In any case, the easiest way to combat stretch marks is to prevent their occurrence. So, already in the early stages of pregnancy, it makes sense to adjust your diet to avoid sudden weight gain.

It is also necessary to apply special care products to areas of the skin where the likelihood of stretch marks appearing is maximum.

Budget products can also be quite effective: fragrance-free baby oil, baby cream to which you can add mumiyo, etc.

If it was not possible to avoid the appearance of stretch marks, it is better to start fighting them as early as possible, the effects on the skin are complex.

You can get an excellent result if you combine:

• a reasonable approach to nutrition;
• a well-chosen set of exercises;
• special cosmetic procedures (use of peelings, wraps, creams, baths with algae and essential oils);
• massages and visiting a sauna or steam bath (in the absence of contraindications).

How to remove stretch marks on legs

The fight against stretch marks is not a priority, but many, especially women, want to have perfectly smooth legs. But stretch marks are not such an easy obstacle, since they indicate that the skin has been damaged deeply and deeply. The easiest way to deal with them is immediately after they appear. But it is completely impossible to remove old stretch marks, as well as old scars - you can only make them a little less noticeable.

How can you get rid of stretch marks on legs at home?

To begin with, you can try to get rid of stretch marks on your own. There are several most popular methods:

• Ointment. First of all, you can go to the pharmacy and stock up on any ointment or gel for scars. After all, stretch marks are essentially scars, which means they should be dealt with in the same way. A good option would be products such as Dermatix, Zeraderm, Mederma, Clearvin. Most of them contain heparin, collagen and its derivatives, as well as extracts from algae and beneficial plants. You just need to buy the ointment and apply it, strictly following the instructions.
• Creams. Modern cosmetology offers a fairly extensive range of creams for stretch marks, but there are some general recommendations. For example, it is desirable that the composition contains collagen, elastin, hyaluronic acid, algae extracts, retinol and vitamin E. All these ingredients stimulate metabolism, promote skin regeneration, as well as moisturize and increase elasticity. Anti-stretch mark products are produced by such giants as Vichy, Lierac, Avent and Clarins. Weleda, “9 months”, Mustela and Mama comfort creams are also popular today. All of them are more effective for prevention than for directly combating stretch marks. But you can find something suitable among the products of both large concerns and little-known companies, or you can create your own cream.
• Scrubs. Peeling helps remove the upper layers of the epidermis, improves blood circulation and stimulates the growth of new cells. It is also easy to make and use at home. To do this, you need to mix a base oil—almond, jojoba, or shea oil is best—with coarse salt, coffee grounds, or sugar. For the best effect, it will be useful to add a couple of drops of essential oil of tea tree, mandarin, thuja, neroli or rose to the mixture - they all help eliminate scars and smooth the skin.

Coffee peeling is popular as a means of combating stretch marks.
My recipe for stretch marks: mix blue clay (1 bag, 50 grams), 2 teaspoons of almond oil, 1 tablespoon of cane sugar, 2 drops each of tangerine essential oil, tea tree and vitamin A, then add a little chamomile decoction to bring the mixture to the consistency of a thick cream. The scrub helped in combination with Clearwin cream.

• Wraps.
  Another topical remedy is plastic wraps. The beneficial substance is diluted with water or cosmetic oil and applied to the affected area. Then the leg is tightly wrapped in layers of cling film and secured with thick clothing - leggings or tights. For example, 200 grams of clay are mixed with 3 tablespoons of cinnamon, 3 drops of any citrus essential oil and diluted with water to the consistency of liquid pancake batter. This mixture can be kept on the skin for no more than an hour. You can use algae powder (it is sold in pharmacies), mixed with camphor oil in the following proportion: 2 tablespoons of powder and 20 drops of oil, then add a raw chicken egg and 5-6 drops of lemon essential oil. This recipe is designed to be used in no more than 45 minutes. One of the most popular options is Altai mummy diluted with warm boiled water. You need to take enough of it so that the pasty mixture completely covers the areas of skin with stretch marks. The usual proportion is two mummy tablets per teaspoon of water. Wrapping with this healing substance is considered absolutely safe, some even do it every day or leave it overnight. But it’s better to keep the mummy on the skin for no more than a couple of hours. It is recommended to do wraps at intervals of a day or two, repeating sessions until the desired effect is achieved.

Clay with shungite removes stretch marks very well. I buy a ready-made mask in buckets and after a day or two I make wraps. I even apply it to my chest, as there are stretch marks there too. I’m afraid that my breasts might “get thinner” from such spas, but these scars are simply killing. Clay is my most versatile and favorite product. I have been using it for both face and body since I was a teenager. There are practically no contraindications, and there are a lot of benefits.

Spiny thorn

https://www.woman.ru/health/woman-health/thread/4188536/1/#m56083678

Girls, mumiyo really helps!!! After giving birth, I woke up only when the child was 6 years old... I decided to try mumiyo, rubbed it every day at night and wrapped myself in cling film... you will see the result on the third day!!! Now there are only a few left and they are not noticeable at all)))

Kate

https://www.woman.ru/beauty/plastic/thread/4068953/2/#m41812449

• Massage. A daily 10–20-minute massage after a bath or contrast shower also helps improve blood circulation and tone muscles and skin. The problem area is gently but intensively kneaded and rubbed with your hands, sometimes also using pinching and patting. For massage, be sure to use oil - any vegetable oil, from olive to apricot kernels, will do. You can add a couple of drops of tea tree oil, or camphor oil, or rose oil. The procedures should be repeated until the stretch marks become invisible.

Photo gallery: medications for stretch marks

Mederma is produced by different medical companies, but its composition does not change

Imoferase may help treat stretch marks

Dermatix Ultra - good old Dermatix, but enhanced

Fermenkol is available in gel form

Contractubex helps with scars, and therefore stretch marks too

Clearwin - Ayurvedic cream based on natural extracts

Zeraderm - ointment for scars and scars

Video: DIY cream

Home methods for dealing with stretch marks are good because you don’t have to pay extra for expensive equipment and the work of specialists. Therefore, you can try several products individually or in combination without spending a lot of money.

Salon products

If you don’t trust people’s experience or despair from a fruitless struggle, welcome to a beauty salon or clinic. Now services for the reduction of stretch marks are provided almost everywhere, they are in great demand. Prices and duration of therapy will depend not only on the luxury of the salon, but also on the type of procedure. There are several main ways to treat stretch marks.

• Laser resurfacing is considered one of the most effective means. Essentially, it involves removing the top layer of the epidermis - and therefore all the damage accumulated in it - using a laser. The procedure is performed under local or complete anesthesia. The course of treatment lasts at least one to two months, as it consists of several sessions. However, the money and time spent will pay off with smooth and even skin.

Laser resurfacing is carried out by professionals using the most modern equipment.

The laser nanoperfaration procedure helped me a lot; after 3 procedures, the stretch marks became barely noticeable; I did not expect such an amazing effect.

Lina7704

https://www.woman.ru/beauty/body/thread/4179984/1/#m35681453

• Chemical peeling is, by and large, good old-fashioned skin scrubbing. But in the salon, instead of abrasive elements, special acids are used - they remove dead skin cells in the same way, but softer and more delicately. And stimulation of blood circulation and skin regeneration becomes a pleasant addition.
• Salon wraps differ from home wraps mainly in the intensity and duration of the session. First, the legs are quickly and strongly steamed so that the skin is ready to accept beneficial substances, and then they are covered with a medicinal product. It contains extracts of algae and medicinal herbs, as well as vitamins, collagen, elastin and everything that the affected skin lacks.
• Ultrasound exposure to the deep layers of the skin is good for recent scars. Low-frequency radiation causes an increase in the production of natural collagen, which itself smoothes out stretch marks, filling them out. But if fresh stretch marks can completely resolve thanks to ultrasound, then old scars will most likely simply become less noticeable.
• Mesotherapy is more effective than wraps because it delivers nutrients directly to the deep layers of the skin. This method involves injections of elastin, collagen, vitamins and other components directly into the epidermis, hypodermis and dermis. In this way, metabolism and cell regeneration are stimulated, tissues are restored on their own and strengthened. The course of therapy consists of several procedures - depending on the condition of the skin, the patient’s age and other characteristics - which are repeated no more than once a week.

Inject lidase into old white stretch marks every 2 mm, after 15 sessions they will disappear!

MMM

https://www.woman.ru/beauty/plastic/thread/4068953/2/#m44889675

Treatment of stretch marks today is carried out not only in beauty salons, but also in clinics specializing in cosmetology and aesthetic medicine.

How not to harm yourself

Despite the fact that the fight against stretch marks in itself seems like a treatment to us, there are several universal and individual contraindications for some of its methods:

• Skin diseases - shingles, psoriasis, eczema, dermatitis, allergies, fungus and others. Any means of combating stretch marks is designed to affect the skin - from the outside or from the inside. This means that the consequences of its interaction with a skin disease or with medications for it can be unpredictable. Be sure to deal with the more serious illness first and then wait at least a few weeks after treatment to allow the skin to recover.

From my own experience, I note: if you are prone to seasonal allergies, it is better not to undertake any skin procedures during the appropriate period. It is better to wait out the time of spring flowering of trees and summer flowering of grasses. And if you are allergic to dust, space out the general cleaning of your apartment, house and garden and the fight against stretch marks. Otherwise, the manifestations of allergies on the skin can noticeably intensify and disable you for a long time.

• Infectious and viral diseases. They exclude the use of laser, ultrasound, injections, wraps and any scrubs. As for ointments and creams, you can use those that affect only the upper layers of the skin, but only on the condition that your well-being does not deteriorate after this. You should avoid using hormonal ointments. But the best solution is to consult with your doctor about the compatibility of medications and your remedy for stretch marks.
• Pregnancy and lactation. It makes sense to postpone laser, ultrasound and mesotherapy, body wraps and chemical peeling until better times. No matter how much you would like to get your legs back to normal as quickly as possible and no matter how safe the procedures may seem, the health of both yours and your newborn baby should be a priority. During this period, it is better to limit yourself to the use of special creams for expectant mothers and soft scrubs.
• Phlebeurysm. If you suffer from this disease, but want to reduce stretch marks, consult your phlebologist and he will tell you which method is right for you, depending on the stage of varicose veins and the characteristics of the body.
• Kidney failure. Your nephrologist will probably be able to choose a method for dealing with stretch marks that will not cause swelling. The most risky in this regard are laser, wraps, ultrasound and mesotherapy, but more gentle methods may be suitable.
• Individual intolerance. It can manifest itself during any treatment, in the form of a response to any component. Therefore, it is necessary to know exactly the substances and drugs that your body rejects in order to reduce the likelihood of problems. And you should be careful during the treatment process in order to immediately interrupt it if you feel worse than expected.

Examples of exercises to combat stretch marks

Most often, stretch marks appear on the upper thighs. Therefore, any squats and lunges that allow you to work the hip area and make blood circulation in this area more intense will be excellent helpers in the fight against unsightly stretch marks. In addition, you can perform additional exercises.

Low amplitude leg raises

While lying on your back, raise your straightened legs to a height of 15-20 cm from the floor, hold them in this position for at least 10 seconds, and then slowly lower them. You need to repeat the movement at least 3 times.

Raising the leg from the “bridge” position

We make a simplified version of the bridge - while lying on your back, bend your legs at the knees to a right angle, and lift your pelvis higher from the floor. In this position, we straighten and pull one leg up with the heel, while leaving the other one for support on the floor.

After 3-5 seconds, return the leg to its original position and straighten the second leg. It is recommended to perform at least 2 cycles of 20 such movements.

Alternate leg raises

Lying on your back, straighten your legs on the floor, then alternately lift them from to a right angle (you should feel a slight burning sensation in the buttocks). For each leg you will have to do 2-3 approaches of 15 times.

Raising legs from a prone position

Lie on your stomach, straighten your legs. From this position, we raise our legs one by one to the maximum possible height. It is advisable to do at least 30 movements on each leg.

"Birch"

A classic exercise of wise yogis, which, perhaps, everyone performs in childhood. We lie on our backs, place our arms along the body, and raise our legs and pelvis from the floor.

We use our hands to help maintain the pelvis in a raised state for 30 seconds or more, after which we “unwind” the body and again lie flat on the floor.

When they appear

The physiology of such a skin defect lies in the insufficient production of substances (collagen and elastin) responsible for the skin’s ability to stretch and return to its original size. There are many reasons for this.

And before you start getting rid of them, you need to figure out why they arose.

A qualified specialist, having learned the factors contributing to the appearance of stretch marks, will choose appropriate techniques and correction methods.

Most often, stretch marks on the legs appear when metabolic processes in the body are disrupted, hormonal imbalance is preceded by:

• excess progesterone in women, inhibiting collagen production. This phenomenon often occurs during pregnancy, menopause, and puberty. Due to the rapid increase in body weight at this time, tissue fibers rupture;
• disturbances in the functioning of the pancreas, thyroid glands, and adrenal glands, which change the hormonal system in the body. This causes a decrease in collagen production;
• genetic Morphan syndrome. With this disease, a person has a defective gene that negatively affects connective tissue. As a result of this, they become not very elastic;
• Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. With this pathology, excess production of collagen occurs, which is the root cause for the appearance of stretch marks. Symptoms of this syndrome are expressed by intense growth on the body and face, back pain and weight gain without any prerequisites. Stretch marks in this case have a darker shade than usual;
• use of hormonal drugs, including contraceptives, use of steroids by athletes to gain muscle mass;
• hypercortisolism in adolescents. This pathology is expressed in the excessive production of a hormone (cortisol) that destroys protein. This process has a negative impact on the tissue structure, forming strip-like defects throughout the skin, but more often forming stretch marks.

Also, factors that provoke the formation of stretch marks include:

• rapid weight gain and loss;
• heredity;
• lack of a balanced diet and violation of the drinking regime. With insufficient consumption of essential nutrients, especially protein, the skin stretches worse;
• strong physical activity, with the help of which a sharp increase in muscle mass is achieved. The skin does not keep up with the rate of weight growth, so it is injured. Stretch marks form only in those athletes who have a low level of skin elasticity determined genetically.

Folk remedies for stretch marks

The desire to have slender, luxurious legs was not alien to our grandmothers. Is it any wonder that some recipes for stretch marks have been known for hundreds of years, but even today they can compete with modern cosmetics in terms of effectiveness.

Masks made from egg whites, rubbing a mixture of lemon and cucumber juice, as well as potato and aloe juice into the skin allowed beauties to get rid of stretch marks decades ago.

Currently, the most common remedy for stretch marks is homemade scrubs.

First option

The following are mixed in equal proportions: ground coffee and sea salt, which are diluted with olive or almond oil until the consistency of sour cream.

Place the resulting mass in an old sock or a specially sewn fabric bag, after which we intensively massage the problem areas of the legs for 10 minutes.

The procedure ends with taking a shower and applying any caring cream. Such sessions need to be repeated every other day for several weeks.

Second option

A scrub consisting of 1 part sea salt, 2 parts glycerin and honey gives a similar effect. It is enough to rub this product into your feet for 5 minutes, then rinse with water. You can repeat the procedure twice a day.

Third option

Rubbing crushed coffee beans diluted with olive oil into the skin also helps improve the condition of problem areas. The composition is rubbed into the skin, after which the legs are wrapped in a towel. You need to wash off the product after 30 minutes.

Retinoic ointment

The rate of skin cell regeneration is influenced by several important factors, including the amount of vitamin A (retinol) consumed by a person.

You can help your skin recover faster by either taking a complex of high-quality multivitamins or locally applying products with a high content of retinol.

One of the affordable and reliable options is retinoic ointment, sold in any pharmacy. You can simply rub it into the skin while simultaneously performing a light pinch massage.

This will simultaneously increase blood circulation and speed up the absorption of substances beneficial to the skin.

General rules of treatment

There are many time-tested home remedies. The list of procedures is quite large.

Consult a dermatologist or cosmetologist, listen to the opinion of a specialist. Perhaps in your case only modern cosmetic procedures will be effective.

Will help:

• traditional methods - masks, scrubs, peelings, rubbing, wraps, self-massage, baths;
• hardware cosmetology. The best option is laser skin resurfacing;
• topical medications. Effective drugs - Mederma, Contractubex. Over time, ointments and creams remove not only stretch marks, but also scars.

Important! Before starting therapy, decide what you want. The first option is to remove stretch marks quickly, but pay a fairly decent amount. Contact a cosmetology clinic. The second option is to treat stretch marks longer, but at minimal cost. Use home methods.

conclusions

Today there are many ways to make stretch marks on your legs almost invisible. As salon procedures, this can be mesotherapy, laser perforation, chemical peeling. At home, you can achieve results using a set of measures:

• cosmetic procedures;
• properly selected physical exercises;
• massages and baths;
• balanced diet.

This approach to self-care will allow you to get the desired result. However, this will not happen earlier than 2-3 months after the start of the procedures.

Methods for eliminating stretch marks

How to get rid of stretch marks on legs? The main condition in the fight against atrophic stripes is timeliness. Elimination of the defect should begin from the moment when the first signs of stretch marks begin to appear. This will ensure high efficiency and quality of procedures.

Cosmetology offers a number of methods aimed at getting rid of an unaesthetic defect, namely:

• Laser therapy. Depending on the extent of the cosmetic defect, the type of skin and the age of the stretch marks, laser exposure will help completely eliminate or make atrophic stripes less noticeable in just a few sessions.
• The use of ointments, creams, serums, lotions and other cosmetic products will prevent the occurrence of stretch marks, as well as make them less noticeable or completely eliminate them (provided they are of low prevalence and timely use).
• Mesotherapy will help eliminate stretch marks on the legs due to hormonal changes and other factors. This is a method that activates collagen synthesis in atrophic stripes. A set of procedures will ensure the density of the damaged skin area and natural color.
• Removing areas of atrophied stripes is important in a situation where sagging skin is very pronounced and cannot be eliminated by other methods. Often sagging appears when a person loses excess weight very suddenly. The operation consists of removing excess skin, subcutaneous fat and stretch marks.
• Massage procedures, wraps, applications using cosmetics for stretch marks, sesame oil, olive oil, cocoa and other natural ingredients such as honey, algae.

To determine how to get rid of all stretch marks on your legs, you will need to consult a cosmetologist. He will identify the cause of the appearance of stretch marks and give recommendations on each method regarding its effectiveness and safety.

What can you do at home?

For stretch marks on the legs with a comprehensive treatment approach, massage gives excellent results.

A very good effect can be obtained by combining this procedure with peeling, wrapping or the use of medicinal cosmetics.

Massage increases blood circulation and promotes rapid and complete delivery of active substances into the deep layers of the skin.

There are several types of massage that can be performed at home:

1. Honey. To do this, apply a little honey to the area of ​​stretch marks using patting movements. Continue this action until all the honey is absorbed into the skin. After such a massage, take a warm shower without using soap.
2. Canned. The effect of such a massage is aimed not only at combating stretch marks, but also cellulite. It is carried out in special jars sold in pharmacies. It is recommended to do it on steamed skin after a bath. Then you need to take a contrast shower.
3. Manual. It is considered a preventive measure in the fight against stretch marks. It must be carried out when the prerequisites for them exist. This massage is performed using essential oils using pinching movements of the fingers. You cannot stretch the skin, as it already has a tendency to stretch.
4. Hydromassage. This procedure is performed not only during the period of prevention, but also during already formed stretch marks on the skin. You can perform a contrast shower at home or an underwater massage in a specialized center. In combination with other procedures, scars soften and skin elasticity returns.

You can remove stretch marks on your legs at home using wraps. A very effective and efficient procedure. To use this method, you need polyethylene and a special active composition that acts on problem areas.

With the help of polyethylene, a greenhouse effect is created, which increases the temperature level at which the skin actively absorbs nutrients and medicinal substances. For wrapping against stretch marks, Dead Sea mud, chocolate, algae, and clay are used.

According to the recommendations of experts, seaweed wraps are most effective in the fight against stretch marks. Since brown algae (kelp) contains alginic acid and other useful microelements and substances that make the skin more elastic and firm.

Warm baths are very useful in treating stretch marks. Taking a bath will help you relax and relieve stress. By adding nourishing moisturizers, algae, and essential oils (geranium, nutmeg, orange, incense), the skin will become softer and the cell renewal process will be activated. Such baths must be taken three times a week for at least 20 minutes.

Read how to do self-massage for cellulite at home.

How to prepare a mask for cellulite on legs at home? Details here.

Does honey mustard wrap help against cellulite? Read on.

Prevention

The fight against stretch marks is a long process, and in some cases very expensive. To avoid using the above methods on yourself, prevent the appearance of “scars” by following the following recommendations:

• eat right;
• watch your weight;
• do self-massage or visit a massage therapist;
• drink plenty of fluids;
• play sports, do physical exercises;
• use moisturizing, nourishing creams, gels (special ones for pregnant women);
• Wear compression garments during pregnancy;
• take a contrast shower, herbal baths, douse yourself;
• take care of your skin.

Measures to prevent stretch marks

Prevention of stretch marks, both on the legs and on other parts of the body, is no different. There are a number of requirements that must be met day after day, without ignoring any of the points. Provide:

1. Proper balanced nutrition with sufficient intake of protein, potassium, iron, fluoride (meat, liver, fish, dairy products, beans and lentils, eggs).
2. Drink water daily (at least 2 liters per day).
3. Eating vegetables, fruits, foods rich in vitamins A, E (bell peppers, cauliflower, pumpkin, red caviar, carrots, prunes, apples, mint, green onions).
4. Limit salt intake.
5. Take baths with herbal extracts and decoctions that stimulate blood circulation.
6. Systematically perform pinch massage on the affected areas of the body.
7. Lubricating the skin with special creams for stretch marks.
8. Performing sports exercises (Pilates).

To avoid stretch marks, you need to remember that preventing the appearance is always easier than treating it later. Preventive methods give excellent results if used in combination.

How to distinguish stretch marks from other skin defects

Stretch marks are distinguished by young and old. Depending on age, stretch marks acquire color and shape. Scars that appear within six months are considered young and are initially pink in color. Fresh stretch marks quickly turn from pink to red, purple, purple, russet or violet. Looks like lightning, stripes, waves or visible veins. There are clear outlines and different lengths, sometimes convex, and when pressed they “fall” inward. Are located vertically or horizontally.

Stretch marks on the skin

Old stretch marks are harder to get rid of. After six months, the color of the stretch marks changes, the scars lighten. White scars and grayish stretch marks are an indicator of their old age. In fair-skinned people, the scars turn silvery white or pearly. Old scars show unclear outlines and lack bulge.

Red striae, with shades from pinkish to red-bluish, are an indicator of the location of blood capillaries. The closer the capillaries are to the surface of the skin, the brighter the shade of the stretch marks.

The color, size and shape do not depend on the place of appearance - on the back, hips or between the buttocks.

For what reasons do stretch marks appear?

What causes such a serious imbalance in the body, leading to skin defects? Causes of stretch marks:

1. Taking anabolic steroids - drugs that are made from the male hormone testosterone. They accelerate the growth of proteins, resulting in a sharp increase in muscle tissue.
2. Puberty. During this period, special changes occur in the teenager’s body. The body is growing, the skin does not have time to grow after the skeletal system. In adolescence, the skin, as it renews itself, “gets rid” of stretch marks on its own; no additional measures are required to eliminate the defect.
3. Disruption of the endocrine system. Hormonal imbalance develops, often occurring under stress, or as a result of disruption of the thyroid gland or gonads.

   
   The appearance of stretch marks

4. Juvenile hypercortisolism is a disease associated with prolonged oversaturation of the adrenal cortex with hormones.
5. Pregnancy. Many women suffer due to the fact that as a result of the abundance of amniotic fluid or the large size of the fetus, their body weight greatly increases. Gaining up to 17-20 extra pounds.
6. Obesity or sudden weight loss are reasons considered to be frequent causes of tears on the body and the appearance of scars.
7. Adrenal hyperplasia is a disease in which the tissue cells of a certain organ become enlarged when scars appear on the abdomen and thighs.
8. Hereditary or genetic predisposition to stretch marks.

If excess hair growth appears with striae, blood pressure rises, and body weight increases sharply, you should immediately contact an endocrinologist for a thorough examination. It’s better not to delay treatment.