Stretch marks are reddish, long, sometimes depressed scars that can stay in your skin for a long time. Stretch marks occur in the dermis, the elastic middle layer of skin that allows it to retain its shape. However, when constantly stretched, the skin can break down leaving behind marks. Dermal collagen is ruptured and blood vessel dilation results in the appearance of reddish or purple-colored stretch marks.

When your skin is excessively stretched during pregnancy, weight changes or growth spurts, stretch marks or striae can show. They can also be caused by some medications, including hormones and steroids. Stretch marks occur when quickly expanding skin is stretched to its limit and tiny tears show in the supporting layers of skin.

Over time the redness of the original scar may disappear and the bands of the stretch mark may become lighter in color than the surrounding skin. The bands may become take on a shiny, depressed appearanceor acquire an aberrant scar like texture.

Men and women can have stretch marks on several patches of their skin, including the abdominal area, flank, thighs, hips, upper arms, breasts or lower back. They afflict 70% of teenage females and nearly 40% of young males.

Stretch Marks and Pregnancy

Though the nine months of pregnancy are a beautiful time in a woman's life, there are a host of undesirable alterations that happen in the skin during this period. Some of these are due to hormonal influences and others are due to the physical alterations in the organism linked with pregnancy.

Stretch marks are one of the most well known and talked about skin alterations that can happen during pregnancy. They are thought to be a consequence of the thinning of the skin during this time period due to female hormones which disrupt the protein balance in the skin. Almost 90% of pregnant women will suffer stretch marks, usually developing during the third trimester.

There is a genetic predisposition to developing stretch marks during pregnancy. Many women find the appearance of stretch marks to be distressing. Fortunately, the removal stretch marks is possible.

How to get rid of stretch marks

There are several over-the-counter treatments aimed to prevent stretch marks, such as Strivectin. Unfortunately no topical remedies have been scientifically proven to improve the appearance of stretch marks. RetinA, glycolic acid, alphahydroxy acids have been reported with very little success. Dermabrasion or chemical peels have also been used. The results of these therapies vary from regular to minimal.

Surgical options to deal with these types of lesions, involve removing large patches of stretched skin. In a tummy tuck procedure, for instance, skin below the belly button is retired. This is usually an area in which stretch marks are prominent. It also works by toning the skin in nearby regions. These surgical procedures are effective, but are more invasive than other options and thus involve longer recovery time.

The best solution to get rid of stretch marks and other skin blemishes comes now in the form of a new skin care product, made with the best natural ingredients to rejuvenate your skin.