What are Stretch Marks?
Stretch marks are a rather widespread, hated and tenacious struggle. The problem, typically female but common to both sexes, is more correctly defined by the terms strie distensae and atrophic striae . This last adjective tells us a lot about the features of stretch marks and lays the foundation for the medical definition of the problem:
stretch marks are atrophic, linear and well-delimited alterations of the dermal layer of the skin; they are electively localized to the inner surface of the thighs, to the external part of the gluteal regions, to the hips, to the breast and to the abdomen (atrophy means the significant decrease in the volume and weight of a fabric).
Insights on stretch marks
- Stretch marks: causes, prevention and treatments
- Stretch marks: why are they formed?
- Stretch marks: chemical peeling
- Stretch Marks, Hyaluronic Acid, Betaglucan, Laser
- Prevention of stretch marks
- Prevention of Stretch Marks and Cosmetic Treatment
- Cosmetics against stretch marks
- Drugs to treat stretch marks
- Useful active ingredients against stretch marks
- Stretch marks treatment
- Diet for Stretch Marks
Symptoms
Stretch marks take on different characteristics depending on the evolutionary stage in which they are found. While length and width remain relatively constant over time and are difficult to generalize (from 1-10 mm in width up to several centimeters in length), the color can vary from the initial red-purple to the bright white typical of the advanced stage. Also the shape, generally linear, fused and symmetrical, is variable, so that in not rare cases the stretch marks take on jagged and irregular contours. Often they are grouped in pairs or triads and their course generally follows the lines of tension.
On palpation, stretch marks have a flaccid consistency and are easily stapled, a clear sign of the loss of skin elasticity that is the basis of their appearance.
Causes
The main factors responsible for the onset of stretch marks are the rapid changes in body shapes, excessive and prolonged stress, some diseases (eg Cushing's Syndrome), and long-term corticosteroid therapies.
Why do they appear?
A typical blemish of the last months of pregnancy, stretch marks recognize the rapid change in weight and body size as the main casual agent (MECHANICAL THEORY). This element, favored by a poor congenital elasticity of the dermis, leads to the rupture of the collagen fibers present in it, with the consequent appearance of stretch marks.
To further complicate the picture there may be the stretching of the vessels and the consequent reduced blood flow to the skin structures; less blood means less oxygen, less nutrients and ineffective waste purification: all elements that predispose the skin to the basic alterations of stretch marks.
Not by chance, the typical sites of appearance belong to regions subjected to greater dimensional excursion; we think, for example, of the speed with which they can grow or slim their thighs following an appropriate workout or other conditions, such as an operation that forces the limb to prolonged immobility. Going back to this last hypothesis, we note that the surgical procedure favors the appearance of stretch marks also in the hormonal aspect (ENDOCRINE THEORY). The release of the hormone cortisol, which tends to weaken the elastic fibers present in the skin (catabolism and alterations of elastin), increases in fact in conditions of psychophysical stress.
In the vast majority of cases, even with sometimes important psychological implications, stretch marks are a simple blemish. More rarely they reflect a pathological condition; this is the case, for example of hypersurrenalism and Cushing's disease, characterized by cortisol hyperproduction (stretch marks are typically red - " strie rubre "), or some genetic diseases, such as Marfan's syndrome or Ehlers's Danlos (hereditary diseases that interfere with the normal elasticity of the skin).
Finally, stretch marks, again for an endocrine argument, can be the consequence of a prolonged drug therapy based on creams, lotions, or pills containing corticosteroids.
According to some statistics, the atrophic striae would appear in 50-60% of the cases of pregnancy and would be less frequent in women who give birth for the first time at a very young age or, on the contrary, in old age.
Risk factors
- Pregnancy (to take into account, in addition to the increase in belly volume, hormonal changes),
- rapid growth and variation of body shapes in puberty,
- genetic-constitutional predisposition,
- breast augmentation surgery (breast implant application),
- overweight and obesity,
- malnutrition and vitamin deficiencies,
- use of corticosteroids or anabolic steroids (for the rapid increase in musculature),
- strict diets.
Many of these risk factors are typical or exclusive to the fairer sex, which is why stretch marks are more common among women.
