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Q. What
Are Stretch Marks?
A. Stretch
marks are tiny tears in the dermis that are scars and
can vary in color from a light pink to a dark purple.
Over a very long period of time, usually years, stretch
marks can fade in color, but the scars remain.
Q. What
is the cause of Stretch marks?
A. Stretch
marks are caused when the skin is stretched to the point
of breaking down, similar to elastic losing its'
elasticity. Losing collagen and elastin in the skin
causes stretch marks, loss of tone, fine lines and
wrinkles. When there is a breakdown or loss of elastin
and collagen fibers or excessive stretching in the skin,
the mark actually shows through to the epidermis (top
layer of skin).
Our
skin consists of three layers.
-
The Epidermis - The top layer of
the skin, locks in moisture and blocks toxins from
entering the body.
-
The Dermis - The second layer of
the skin, (where stretch marks occur), is where our
skin produces collagen and elastin fibers which give
it a firmer and younger appearance.
-
The Hypodermis - The third layer
of skin, which is composed of fat and connective
tissue.
Q. Why Do
People Get Stretch Marks ?
A. There are
several different factors that contribute to the
formation of stretch marks.
Heredity - Some skin is genetically prone to
stretch marks
Skin Type - Some skin is dryer with less
elasticity than others i.e. dry skin vs. oily skin,
Weight - rapid gain or loss,
Pregnancy - the weight gain associated with
pregnancy.
Although some people are more susceptible to stretch
marks, anyone can get them.
Stretching of the skin during rapid weight gain or rapid
growth (in young children and adolescents) is a major
cause of stretch marks.
The non-occurrence of stretch marks during one pregnancy
does not necessarily mean stretch marks will not occur
in another.
Stretch marks are not gender specific - men and women
are susceptible to these unsightly marks.
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