Stretch marks aren't something that anyone looks forward to, but they are definitely something that the vast majority of us have to deal with at some point in life.
Despite the popular myth that they are only for women, men can also get stretch marks. They are the result of the middle layer of skin, the dermis, stretching out rapidly. They can appear at almost any point in life for a wide variety of reasons. For women, they don't just occur around pregnancy, although that is a very common time for them to appear on bellies.
What exactly are these marks, and what are they telling you about your body? These 10 lesser known facts about stretch marks may help you have a better understanding about what these lines on your skin actually are.
It's important to know that they are completely natural and harmless. So, why not embrace your body, stretch marks and all?
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Thumbnail Source: Flickr / Jacob Botter
1. They Are Affected By Genetics
According to What to Expect, genetics are involved in whether or not you are likely to get stretch marks. Most women get them during pregnancy, and many, many men and women have them on different parts of their bodies. How susceptible you are to stretch marks often depends on how susceptible your mother and father are to them.
2. They Are Scars
Stretch marks are scars on your skin, pretty much just like a scar from a wound or surgery. Much like other scars, they can and probably will fade over time.
3. You May Be Able To Expedite The Fading Process
There are some things you can do to make your stretch marks fade or potentially even come close to disappearing.
Some common home treatments include drinking tons of water to keep the skin hydrated, rubbing egg whites on the skin to supply extra protein, and rubbing on natural oils like lavender, olive, or chamomile.
4. Hormones Play An Important Role
Hormones aren't just what cause headaches and wreak havoc on your body: they are also what create the elastin fibers and the collagen in your middle layer of skin that allow it to stretch.
When your hormones go off-kilter, you may become more likely to develop stretch marks, according to Empowher. If you think you may be having issues surrounding hormone levels, see your doctor to figure out how to get them back in check.
5. Diet And Exercise May Lower Your Chance Of Developing Them
According to WikiHow, eating a healthy diet rich in vitamins E and A, antioxidants, and omega 3s will help improve your skin's elasticity. Getting regular exercise helps keep up your circulation, therefore maintaining your skin's elasticity.
While it does have a lot to do with genetics, making these healthy choices can lessen the effects of rapid skin stretching.
6. Stretch Marks Could Point To Other Health Issues
Cushing’s syndrome, Marfan syndrome, and Ehlers-Danlos syndrome can all alter the skin's elasticity and make stretch marks more likely.
Empowher reports that if you haven't been feeling top-notch and you've noticed a rapid increase in stretch marks, you may want to check in with your doctor. You may end up being thankful that your skin pointed you in the right direction before a serious health issue got out of hand!
7. Any Body Type Can Get Them
Literally anyone can get stretch marks, no matter what their size. Anyone who goes through a change in their body are prone to the marks, particularly during puberty when bodies are changing. This can also happen during a rapid weight gain or loss, whether it be in muscle or body fat.
8. There Are Two Kinds, And One Is Easier To Treat
Well, it's more like two stages in a stretch mark's life. Red or purple stretch marks are new, and still trying to heal themselves. This is the kind of stretch mark that doctors say are easier to treat with oils, creams, or even lasers. They're easier to treat because they haven't formed entirely into a scar yet.
The white stretch marks, however, have already healed themselves into fully formed scars, making them much harder to treat.
However, neither kind needs to be treated. They are natural and harmless, but folks who do want them to fade may be interested in knowing that the window for effective treatment is small.
9. Losing Weight Doesn't Make Them Go Away
Just because rapid weight gain causes stretch marks doesn't mean that shedding the pounds will make them disappear. When your weight vanishes, your stretched skin doesn't magically disappear as well. That is your skin for life!
10. They Affect Your Ego More Than Anything Else
While they can get a little bit itchy and inflamed, they pose no threat to your overall well-being. Again, they may be a sign of a more serious issue, but the only real harm they can do is to your ego.
The best thing to remember is that everyone gets them, and they are completely normal! Because they don't cause negative health problems, insurance companies generally count them as a cosmetic issue, meaning stretch-mark removal treatments would most likely not be covered.
It may just be better to let go of your ego and embrace the skin you're in!
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