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

When your skin is exaggeratedly stretched during pregnancy, weight gain or growth spurts, stretch marks or striae can show. They can also be produced by certain medications, mainly hormones and steroids. Stretch marks occur when quickly expanding skin is stretched to its limit and small tears show in the supporting layers of skin.

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

Men and women can have stretch marks on several areas of their skin, including the abdominal area, upper arms, breasts, flank, hips, thighs or lower back. They afflict 70% of adolescent 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 number of undesirable changes that happen in the skin during this time. Some of these are due to hormonal influences and others are due to the mechanical changes in the organism linked with pregnancy.

Stretch marks are one of the most recognized and talked about dermal changes that can happen during pregnancy. They are believed 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 an inherited predisposition to developing stretch marks during pregnancy. Many women consider the appearance of stretch marks to be distressing. Luckily, 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 enhance the appearance of stretch marks. RetinA, glycolic acid, alphahydroxy acids have been prescribed with very little success. Dermabrasion or chemical peels have also been tried. The effects of these therapies vary from regular to minimal.

Surgical alternatives to deal with these types of lesions, imply removing large areas of stretched skin. In a tummy tuck procedure, for instance, skin under the belly button is removed. 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 imply 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, elaborated with the best biological ingredients to regenerate your skin.