04/05/2018 Category: Stretch marksAuthor: Svetlana Magomedova
Stretch marks or stretch marks (Latin striae - stripes) on the back are cosmetic skin defects formed as a result of microscopic tears in the reticular layer of the dermis. Most often, this problem worries people who have gained weight, lost weight, or sharply increased their height in a short period of time. Its victims are mainly women, teenagers and athletes. Why does this happen and how to deal with it correctly? Let's try to figure it out.
- What causes stretch marks on the back?
- How to remove stretch marks on your back at home
Caring cosmetics
- Massage and essential oils
How to do cupping massage correctly to remove traces of stretch marks
What stretch marks look like
The clinical and morphological picture changes at different stages of stretch mark development. At first, in appearance they resemble small scars of a pinkish or purple hue. Depending on the cause of occurrence, they can be either vertical or horizontal. Favorite places for stretch marks are the chest, abdomen, thighs or buttocks, and in some cases the skin on the back may also be affected.
Later, when the damaged tissue has lost its former elasticity, the stretch marks acquire a stable whitish color that does not change even after exposure to ultraviolet rays.
This is what stretch marks look like in the second stage
No matter where stretch marks are located, they are, in fact, just cicatricial changes in the skin - a cosmetic flaw that does not pose a health hazard. They do not cause any physical discomfort, but cause aesthetic discomfort, especially at a young age. However, in some cases, stretch marks can signal alarming changes occurring in the body.
Typical locations of stretch marks
The most typical locations for stretch marks are:
- abdomen, especially during pregnancy and with abdominal fat gain, against the background of Cushing’s disease;
- mammary glands - stretch marks mainly occur during pregnancy and lactation;
- hips - stretch marks occur in pregnant women, against the background of sudden weight gain, during childbirth;
- back - stretch marks in the lower back occur during active growth, weight gain, or playing sports.
On all other parts of the body, stretch marks are extremely rare, only against the background of severe obesity and serious health problems.
What causes stretch marks on the back?
Most often, stretch marks in the back indicate a loss of skin elasticity due to a sharp increase in body fat or muscle mass, for example, during pregnancy or puberty. The skin simply cannot keep up with the growth of a changing organism, since the process of cell division in the epidermis occurs much more slowly than in the tissues of internal organs. This is especially noticeable in teenagers who have grown an entire head in one summer, and whose back is suddenly subjected to an extreme load, which subsequently adversely affects the condition of the skin. It's also common to see men quickly gain muscle mass through strength training (sometimes coupled with anabolic steroids). Together with them, they acquire scars that disfigure the body.
A special role is played by hormonal changes in the body. Complex biochemical processes, lack of collagen, wild growth or weight changes are the main culprits for the occurrence of micro-tears in the reticular layer of the dermis. There are other reasons for the appearance of stretch marks, and some of them are not so harmless and require close attention:
- insufficiently active lifestyle;
- errors in nutrition;
- obesity;
- skin features;
- endocrine disorders;
- decreased immunity;
- long-term hormonal therapy;
- genetic predisposition;
- excessive physical activity;
- vertebral displacement;
- hidden pathologies and diseases of internal organs.
It is good if parents help their children by contacting a qualified dermatologist or cosmetologist in this regard. Specialists will be able to determine the cause and select the most rational solution in each specific case.
Reasons for education
If stretch marks are found on the body of teenagers, the reasons need to be looked for everywhere. Some provoking factors are much more serious than the skin defects themselves and require detailed analysis. The most common factors influencing the formation of stretch marks:
- Hormonal surge.
- Hereditary factor. Feature of development. The structure of the skin can be inherited by adolescents from close relatives.
- Weight jumps. Sudden weight loss and weight gain can cause stretch marks.
- Deficiency of muscle mass. Incorrect distribution of muscle tissue and fat.
- Hypothalamic syndrome. Dysfunction of the hypothalamus can lead to sudden changes in body weight. Most often, the formation of stretch marks is affected by obesity associated with a sharp jump in weight.
- Autoimmune diseases. The immune system becomes hyperactive and attacks the body's own tissues, mistaking them for foreign elements.
- Vertebral displacement. The appearance of stretch marks is usually accompanied by constant back pain.
During puberty, the level of some hormones increases tenfold. As a result, the entire appearance of yesterday's boy and girl changes significantly . At this time, violent physiological events occur in the body of young people, for which not all organs and systems are ready. Growth accelerates, girls develop mammary glands, fat deposits appear, boys' voice changes.
Against the background of such changes, the skin of adolescents remains immature; there is a lack of collagen and elastin - the protein that forms the basis of the connective tissue of the skin. As a result, the skin cannot withstand stress and stretches, forming stretch marks in different parts of the body. Stretch marks on the legs often occur in teenagers, the reason for this is growth hormone and lack of muscle mass.
The formation of stretch marks is also influenced by thyroid hormones and disruption of the endocrine system.
Adrenocorticotropic hormone is produced in the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland and affects the production of adrenal hormones, which include sex hormones. In adolescents, ACTH levels can be elevated for a long time, which leads to an acceleration of metabolic processes and skin changes. Purple stretch marks on the abdomen may be the result of an excess of this particular hormone.
Uneven redistribution of fat deposits, their disproportion with muscle mass leads to skin tension and rupture of dermal fibers.
When puberty ends, the production of hormones normalizes, their level will correspond to the physiological state of the body. The structure of subcutaneous tissues will be maintained at the hormonal level. A teenager's skin will become mature enough to perform its important functions. The underlying layers of skin will acquire elasticity and mechanical stability. As a result, the fibrous structure of the connective tissue will act as a shock absorber, which will allow the skin to resist negative influences. However, old stretch marks on a teenager’s skin will remain if you do not work to eliminate them.
How to remove stretch marks on your back at home
Today there are many ways to combat stretch marks on the back, but most of them are effective only when the stretch marks have not yet turned white. Otherwise, you can only reduce the depth of the stretch marks and make them less noticeable. Unfortunately, neither tanning nor decorative cosmetic products are able to disguise these stripes, so all that remains is to approach the problem comprehensively, using not only care products, essential oils or massage, but also changing your diet and even lifestyle. And if treatment at home does not produce an effect, you can try to resort to hardware techniques that will help get rid of cosmetic defects quickly and forever. Let's look at popular home methods for dealing with stretch marks.
Caring cosmetics
Today, pharmaceutical cosmetology produces various moisturizing and regenerating creams containing collagen, elastin, as well as a complex of vitamins necessary for skin restoration. They help reduce the depth of stretch marks on the back and prevent the appearance of new stretch marks on the back, increasing turgor. For example, Avent moisturizing cream, recognized as one of the best cosmetics for combating stretch marks and congestion.
Avent stretch mark cream has helped many women restore their skin elasticity. The product contains papaya and shea seed oils, as well as seaweed extract
You can moisturize your skin with it several times a day, paying attention not only to problem areas, but also to the surface surrounding them. Cosmetologists strongly recommend treating the body with a hard washcloth or soft scrub 2 times a week before applying the cream, thus helping to exfoliate dead cells and speed up their renewal.
You can replace the scrub with leftover ground coffee!
Sanosan mama cream, developed by German manufacturers, has also proven itself well.
Sanosan mama stretch mark cream contains beeswax, wheat proteins and jojoba oil
Despite the fact that most cosmetic products are designed to combat stretch marks during pregnancy, they can also be prescribed to adolescents, since they contain mainly natural ingredients and are safe.
Massage and essential oils
During puberty, the skin of a growing organism becomes extremely sensitive and quickly responds to any massaging influences. Thanks to careful treatment of problem areas, skin tone significantly increases, blood and lymph circulation improves. The main thing is to do it correctly, starting with soft kneading movements, smoothly moving to more intense actions, and ending with relaxing stroking. Be sure to include a variety of techniques. For example, tong-like kneading, felting or rubbing. Use additional devices (soft brushes, rollers). All manipulations should cause only pleasant sensations.
It is advisable to use special oils for stretch marks on the back or moisturizing creams during the procedure to ensure easy and quick gliding. You can prepare a massage mixture yourself by adding a few drops of lavender, neroli, rosewood or rosemary ether to 1 tablespoon of any base oil (almond, coconut, jojoba or even sunflower).
Back massage is easier to do with the help of various devices
Tangible results are obtained by cupping (vacuum) massage, during which lymph and blood circulation increases, and along with their influx, a large amount of oxygen and nutrients enters the tissues. However, this technique requires maximum caution, preparation and certain skills.
How to do cupping massage correctly to remove traces of stretch marks
The massage is carried out using silicone cups. First, the skin is thoroughly cleansed, generously moisturized with massage oil, and warmed with light hand movements. Some people use anti-cellulite cream instead of oil. The massage jar should be pressed against the surface being massaged, squeezed in your hands to force out the air, then carefully move in different directions along the lines of least stretch.
With your free hand, try to help by creating resistance.
It is important that the jar slides easily and quickly over the skin, otherwise it will leave severe bruises that will take a very long time to heal. After 5–7 minutes, it is better to complete the massage, not forgetting to wipe the affected areas with ice cubes. Ice contrast will reduce the likelihood of bruising and increase the effect of the procedure.
Properly organized nutrition
A diet containing healthy foods, fresh fruits and vegetables will help those who suffer from stretch marks on the back due to excess weight and everyone else. In addition, by eating a balanced diet, it is much easier for teenagers to endure the difficulties of hormonal surges, strengthen the immune system and prevent the appearance of not only stretch marks, but also acne.
To stimulate the production of collagen and elastin, as well as speed up metabolic processes, it is necessary to provide the body with enough water. The menu should include dishes high in vitamins A and E, C, D and K as often as possible, which have a beneficial effect on the condition of the epidermis, promote accelerated cell renewal and healing of scars. In addition, it is important to provide the growing body with products containing zinc and silicon. These microelements increase the level of skin resistance to atrophy and other adverse factors.
The diet of young people must certainly contain proteins - building material for the formation of new epithelial cells. It is also worth buying at the pharmacy a suitable multivitamin complex with macro- and microelements, which allows you to develop harmoniously during adolescence. These are such popular drugs as Vitrum Junior or Alphabet Teen, specially designed to meet the needs of a growing body.
Gymnastics
People who are predisposed to the appearance of stretch marks on their back should definitely strengthen the muscles of their back, arms, abdomen, hips and chest by regularly exercising. You should not choose complex strength exercises for this, which involve intense muscle work and physical overexertion, as this can aggravate the situation. It is better to give preference to water sports, during which there is a soft and deep massage effect of water jets on the skin, shaping, yoga or light jogging. The skin of teenagers who love sports is more elastic and toned, therefore it is resistant to adverse factors.
Preventive recommendations
Stretch marks appear more often during pregnancy, and rubbing olive oil helps.
To reduce the risk of stretch marks on the back and other parts of the body, it is recommended to follow the following rules:
- Treat thyroid diseases in a timely manner and monitor hormonal levels. If there are problems with the endocrine system, constant monitoring of the condition is important.
- Lose weight and treat obesity. These factors are fundamental in the development of striae on the trunk.
- Visit the gym for training, do physical exercises at home. This will help increase the elasticity of the skin and reduce the risk of stretch marks. Yoga sessions, swimming in the pool and ponds are useful.
- Maintain proper nutrition. The diet should include foods containing sufficient amounts of vitamins and beneficial microelements. These are dried fruits, nuts, cereals, meat and fish, herbs, etc.
- Perform caring procedures at home, use nourishing body creams. Massage with a washcloth and contrast shower are useful.
If there is a predisposition to the formation of stretch marks, it is recommended to use body products containing elastin and collagen. Essential oils that can be added to baths will be effective.
To treat stretch marks, it is better to consult a doctor. The specialist will select the most effective method of therapy, taking into account the peculiarities of the formation of stretch marks. The main condition for quickly getting rid of the defect is not to overuse self-medication.
How to get rid of stretch marks on the back forever in the salon: before and after photos
Most specialists in the field of cosmetology and dermatologists who have studied this problem agreed that noticeable and lasting improvements can only be achieved with the help of certain hardware techniques. These include:
- radiofrequency therapy in combination with laser irradiation (photorejuvenation), as a result of which collagen synthesis is activated;
- mechanical dermabrasion - deep resurfacing of the skin, during which the damaged layers are gradually removed;
- mesotherapy - the introduction under the skin of special mesotherapy preparations containing biologically active substances and capable of accelerating collagen synthesis;
- Skin resurfacing using laser, chemical peeling or microdermabrasion are effective methods that quickly smooth out the skin texture.
These are the results obtained after a laser procedure using the FRAXEL ReStore DUAL device.
Many clinics successfully treat even chronic stretch marks using the 3D method. It is based on a combination of laser technology with collagen injections.
Impressive results from 3D treatment of stretch marks
All of the above procedures are carried out exclusively by specialists after appropriate examination, since they have restrictions on their use.
How to prevent stretch marks on your body
The best way to deal with any problems is to prevent them in a timely manner. Prevention of microtrauma to skin fibers consists of following simple rules:
- balanced diet with enough water, minerals, vitamins, proteins, carbohydrates;
- active lifestyle;
- maintaining constant body weight in accordance with age standards;
- careful skin care, especially during adolescence;
- regular use of exfoliating products and cosmetic oils;
- hardening the body with water procedures, paying special attention to contrast showers;
- normalization of hormonal levels.
I want to share my personal experience. Even in the first trimester of pregnancy, I developed reddish stretch marks on the upper part of the mammary glands, most likely associated with hormonal changes in the body, since there was no tendency to be overweight. During my rare shaping sessions before pregnancy, I neglected exercises for the chest muscles, believing that everything was fine in this area, and put the main emphasis on working out the hips and abs. It is in these areas that the skin retained its elasticity and remained clean, without stretch marks. Exercises for the chest muscles, massage with essential oils, and contrast douches again helped to reduce the manifestations of stretch marks.
Home therapy
There are many ways to combat stretch marks on the back, the main ones are presented below.
Using cosmetics - experts recommend treating defects with special ointments, creams, gels, and balms. Pharmacy chains and stores offer a variety of solutions to the problem.
Effective cosmetics contain essential oils, collagen, hyaluronic acid, and elastin. These substances make it possible to provide the dermis with the necessary components and restore its former firmness and elasticity. The level of positive effect depends on the duration of the disease.
Cosmetics allows you to get rid of the initial forms of pathology, when stretch marks on the back have a reddish or purple tint. If stretch marks have acquired a whitish color, then creams against them will be powerless.
Be sure to read: Bloodletting method for weight loss Hijama
By switching to the right diet - rapid weight gain, obesity or weight loss is the main source of defects. Adjusting your daily menu helps prevent the formation of new stretch marks. It should be dominated by protein and plant foods.
Carbohydrates and fats must be reduced to reasonable limits. Everything salted, fried, smoked and pickled is excluded from the menu. Only adherence to the dietary table will allow the skin to begin self-healing processes and prevent the occurrence of new flaws in the dermis.
Massage sessions - manipulations improve blood circulation directly in the affected areas. When performing procedures, it should affect not only problem areas, but also nearby areas. Correct implementation of therapy is carried out in a specialized office; amateur procedures will not give the required effect.
At home, manipulations can be performed using special devices that are distributed in medical equipment stores. While taking a shower, you should rub yourself with a massage glove.
Physical activity - dermatologists note that in people who are constantly involved in sports, stretch marks on the skin form in exceptional cases.
Exercise improves the condition of the skin, making it firm and elastic. Walking in the fresh air, jogging, exercising in the pool, training in fitness clubs will prevent the formation of defects on the dermis and improve the general condition of the body.
Therapy for whitened stretch marks does not guarantee maximum results. Regular cosmetic procedures will reduce the volume of areas damaged by pathology:
- Cold wraps - manipulations are carried out using special compounds purchased at a pharmacy or made with your own hands. The total time of the procedures should not exceed one hour. A common remedy is seaweed - they are soaked in warm water, applied to the affected areas, and fixed with plastic wrap. Keep the compress for half an hour and wash off under a cool shower.
- Peeling - in addition to ready-made preparations, it is allowed to use natural crushed coffee or sea salt diluted with vegetable oil. After warming up in the shower, the stretch marks are treated for at least 15 minutes; therapy is carried out in the evening.
- Compress with honey - bee extract is mixed with olive oil. The mixture is applied to problem areas and covered with plastic film. Procedures are carried out three times a week.
Be sure to read: How do stretch marks appear on the butt and what to do about it?
Precautions and contraindications
Before using any cosmetic and pharmaceutical products, it is better to consult with your doctor, read the instructions/instructions for use, and first test the products on a small and sensitive area of skin.
Most hardware techniques have strict contraindications. Here is just a sample list:
- suspicious neoplasms;
- oncology;
- blood diseases and clotting problems;
- pulmonary tuberculosis;
- infectious diseases in the acute stage;
- cardiovascular diseases;
- heart, kidney and liver failure;
- severe forms of diabetes mellitus;
- mental disorders;
- feverish conditions;
- thyrotoxicosis;
- pregnancy;
- individual intolerance, etc.
Important! If the formation of stretch marks on a teenager’s back is accompanied by suspicious symptoms such as increased blood pressure or excess hair growth, it is worth examining him with a specialist and finding out if there are any disorders or ailments in the growing body.
Therapy during pregnancy and lactation
Experts recommend starting to take care of your skin several months before conception. The cosmetics industry offers a large number of specialized products:
- Mom Comfort;
- Avent;
- Mustela;
- Sanosan;
- Vichy.
Be sure to read: Causes of stretch marks on the hands of women and men
Various procedures are permitted for use only after consultation with a gynecologist leading the pregnancy. These include massage sessions, contrast showers, cold and hot wraps. Despite preventive measures, stretch marks on the back may occur after childbirth. Treatment of stretch marks with home methods is allowed, but before using them you must:
- Consult your doctor;
- Do not use products with essential oils;
- Do not allow creams to accidentally enter the child’s mouth;
- Leave therapy if unusual reactions of the body occur.
Reviews
Avent stretch mark cream is excellent at preventing stretch marks on the back, it is important to know how to use it correctly! In my review, I want to not only describe the advantages of Avent cream, but also give some tips and dispel some myths.
I started using Avent cream back in 2002, on the recommendation of my friend, who had already had two pregnancies and not a single stretch mark. My doctor confirmed that the cream perfectly prevents the appearance of stretch marks and gave me many recommendations for its use.
1. You need to start using the cream immediately when you become aware of pregnancy. The skin needs to be prepared for stretching in advance; the collagen contained in it accumulates gradually, and it helps prevent stretch marks on the back; the less collagen protein in the skin, the greater the chances of getting stretch marks. In pregnant women, the amount of collagen in the skin decreases under the influence of the hormone Cortisol. The substances included in the cream nourish and moisturize the skin more intensely than regular body cream.
2. Be sure to use the cream twice a day, every day after a shower! There is no need to shower with detergents every time, as you wash away the protective sebum and thereby cause dry skin. These procedures cannot be skipped. Use it before and after childbirth, for another couple of months.
3. For the cream to be more effective, a couple of times a week you need to remove dead skin layers using peeling or a medium-hard sponge.
4. It is recommended to apply the cream from the neck to the knees; it is from these areas that the skin begins to stretch towards the center. Rub the cream in with intense, circular, massage movements. This method will improve blood circulation and help the formation of new, young skin cells! The breasts need to be given special attention.
5. Finish your shower with a contrast douche on your chest, this will improve blood circulation and tone the skin, preparing it for applying the cream.
6. Itching on the skin indicates a moment of stretching. Don’t be lazy to apply a drop of cream to this place one more time!
Overall impression: Great for preventing stretch marks, it's important to know how to use it correctly!
HVZ
https://otzovik.com/review_254566.html
This is some kind of miracle! Getting rid of stretch marks and tightened skin for PENIES and a minimum of time with the help of a badyagi! Advantages: 100% natural remedy, accessible to everyone, beneficial for the whole body, easy to use, effective. Disadvantages: somewhat painful, you need to force yourself to do it regularly.
I encountered the problem of stretch marks back in my teens—at about 14 years old. Stretch marks crawled up my outer thighs and along the sides of my abdomen. At first they were translucent, thin and white, but after about 6 years deep, wide dark stretch marks began to appear; there weren’t many of them, but they were very noticeable. At the same time, during the period when such stretch marks appeared, my weight did not change at all; most likely, this is just a feature of my skin.
I struggled with them for 2 years with the help of regular use of regeneration creams, but they did not help at all. I found one recipe, very simple, consisting of a bag of dry badyagi and any oil, even sunflower. The mixture is applied with rubbing movements to problem areas. The first time, leave it on for 5 minutes and wash off with water.
For the first time I observed slight redness 10 minutes after the procedure. On the second day, the feeling of discomfort decreases, but you can still see that the skin is slightly inflamed. After about 5-6 days, the skin began to peel and itch slightly, but it was quite tolerable. I began to actively use body milk so as not to dry out my skin too much.
According to the prescription, it is recommended to do the procedure every other day for 20 days, i.e. 10 times. But since the New Year was just around the corner, I stopped at 4. So, what have we achieved? The skin has become much more even, there are no pronounced stretch marks, the dark ones have become much lighter, the light ones have become less noticeable, as new skin has covered the top. By the way, I previously bought a badyagu for 8 rubles, and now I took some other one, more expensive - there is no difference!
Sunny_Spring
https://irecommend.ru/content/kak-izbavitsya-ot-rastyazhek-strii-na-bedrakhtele-kak-ustranit-umenshit-rastyazhki-strii-bad
