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Stretch marks and other scars are reminders of our past, from moments of celebration to reminders of pain endured. As much as they can be mementos to cherish, they also can negatively impact our lives, by affecting our mood, self-confidence or our feelings of self-worth.
The good news is, not only do scarring and stretch marks typically fade with time, but we can also speed up our skin’s healing process with a few natural and over-the-counter remedies.
What causes stretch marks?
All it takes is one yoga session to see how flexible our skin can be! From downward dog to crow pose, our skin moves fluidly with us no matter which way we flow.
So how does this ultra-flexible organ scar?
Our skin is perfectly suited to moving with our body; however, sometimes our muscles, bones and skin “disagree” on how fast we should grow. When we suddenly gain (or lose) mass, whether from a change in diet and exercise or natural growth, our skin can struggle to keep up. When this happens, it can rupture the elastin and
collagen – the building blocks of our skin.
If the rupture is severe enough, it can result in scarring that can last long past the sudden change in mass.
These skin ruptures typically happen to:
- Pregnant women: As a mother’s body rapidly expands to make space for her growing child, her skin – especially around her belly – needs to stretch in a relatively short period of time.
- Growing teenagers: Sudden weight gain in muscle and fat, such as during a growth spurt, occurs in another relatively short amount of time, which can cause stretch marks to appear.
But, there’s another reason why stretch marks can develop: a sudden increase in the hormone
cortisone.
Though it’s naturally produced by the adrenal glands, too much cortisone can cause our skin to lose its elasticity. This typically happens to those who regularly use corticosteroid medications in the form of creams, lotions or pills.
Do stretch marks go away?
Our skin is resilient and, over time, the appearance of scars tends to naturally fade. But, this process can take many years. That’s why many people choose to use specially formulated
products to help diminish the appearance of scars and stretch marks faster and more effectively!
How to treat stretch marks
Before we dive into the process of getting rid of scars and stretch marks, it’s important to take a moment to acknowledge the past and be grateful for the experiences our skin has taken us through – even the ones that have marked us. This self-love can help us move forward with grace as we journey to heal our bodies.
The best way to assist our skin in smoothing out these blemishes is through maintaining a
daily skincare routine that pampers our skin and encourages it to heal on its own.
Daily skincare to minimize stretch marks
- Moisturizers: Skin’s best defense is moisturizing, both inside and out. By using a daily moisturizer with SPF, you’re equipping your skin with the necessary tools to begin the healing process – and to protect itself daily. Be sure also to stay hydrated and eat a nutritious, whole food-focused diet.
- Prescription creams: Certain topical treatments such as tretinoin (a vitamin A synthetic) may help diminish the look of stretch marks. Ask your healthcare provider about these options during your next appointment.
- Self-tanning lotions: A little bit of color -- thanks to help from a sunless tanner -- will help minimize the contrast between your skin tone and the color of the stretch marks, helping them blend in and fade away.
Recommended products to try for stretch marks
While just about any good moisturizer will help your skin to heal, there are a variety of specially formulated oils and lotions that can help it to heal faster.
We recommend:
Medical treatments for stretch marks
Not everyone wants to wait for natural healing to take place. For those who want a quicker route to blemish-free skin, there are a variety of more intensive treatments you can get at a dermatologist.
For more information, schedule an appointment with a doctor or dermatologist. They can help you determine the best solution for your skin, such as laser therapies, microdermabrasion and other prescription creams to help get rid of stretch marks for good.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_text_separator title="Featured Products" border_width="2"][vc_row_inner equal_height="yes" content_placement="middle" gap="35"][vc_column_inner width="1/3"][vc_single_image image="158253" img_size="full" alignment="center" onclick="custom_link" img_link_target="_blank" css=".vc_custom_1646347128993{padding-right: 7% !important;padding-left: 7% !important;}" link="https://www.vitacost.com/mommy-knows-best-stretch-mark-vanishing-cream"][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width="1/3"][vc_single_image image="158252" img_size="full" alignment="center" onclick="custom_link" img_link_target="_blank" css=".vc_custom_1646347148659{padding-right: 7% !important;padding-left: 7% !important;}" link="https://www.vitacost.com/mederma-stretch-marks-therapy-5-29-oz-2"][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width="1/3"][vc_single_image image="158254" img_size="full" alignment="center" onclick="custom_link" img_link_target="_blank" css=".vc_custom_1646347167865{padding-right: 7% !important;padding-left: 7% !important;}" link="https://www.vitacost.com/palmers-cocoa-butter-formula-massage-cream-for-stretch-marks-4-4-oz"][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row]
