Stretch marks, or stria atrophicae in dermatology, are considered as scarring on the skin caused by weight gain or pregnancy. They mostly appear on body spots where larger amounts of fat are stored like the hips, thighs, abdomen, and buttocks.
Stretch marks are produced from the over-stretching of the middle layer of the skin namely, the dermis. This layer stretches to its maximum capability to be able to fit a larger body. This would result to microscopic bleeding and tissue inflammation and would manifest as reddish-purple lines on the skin. Also, this would cause the outer layer of the skin to expand making the lines visible enough. The stretch marks would appear once these lines heal and would have a shade lighter than the natural skin tone.
Some studies suggest that glucocorticoids, a group of steroids, are associated with stretch marks. Cortisol is the most common example of a glucocorticoid. Research showed that when the body is at stress, it releases cortisol at a level above its normal amount. This could halt fibrolasts from forming elastin fibers and collagen, which are essential for keeping a new skin firm. This would ultimately lead to the tearing of the epidermal and dermal layer due to lack of these supporting materials.
Excess amounts of cortisol could inhibit the formation of elastin fibers and collagen from fibrolasts, which are both needed to keep new skin firm. As a consequence, the dermal and epidermal layer of the skin could tear easily due to the absence of these supportive substances.
On the other hand, retinoids and alpha-hydroxy acids negate the bad effects caused by steroids. And this combination reduces the formation of stretch marks.
Other methods are available to make existing stretch marks barely there, including laser treatments, dermabrasion, and prescription retinoids. Dermabrasion is a cosmetic procedure in which the stratum corneum (outer surface of the epidermis) is being removed by abrasion, or sanding, targeting sun-damaged skin and dark spots on the skin. A laser treatment, called fractional laser resurfacing, uses pulses of light that creates microscopic wounds on the scar. In which, body produces new collagen and epithelium that improves the texture and appearance of mature stretch marks.
Another method uses a surgical procedure, the tummy tuck. In here, the part of skin below the navel is being removed because this is where stretch marks oftenly form.
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