Useful Resources
Below is a list of useful links and resources related to stretch mark prevention.
"Stretch marks or striae (singular stria), as they are called in dermatology, are a form of scarring on the skin with an off-color hue. They are caused by tearing of the dermis, and over time can diminish but not disappear completely. It is a common misconception that stretch marks are solely the result of the rapid stretching of the skin associated with rapid growth (common in puberty) or weight gain (e.g. pregnancy or muscle building) that overcomes the dermis's elasticity. Stretch marks are influenced by hormonal changes associated with puberty, pregnancy, muscle building etc. Although stretch marks are generally associated with pregnancy and obesity, they can also develop during rapid muscle growth. Medical terminology for these kinds of markings includes striae atrophicae, vergetures, stria distensae, striae cutis distensae, striae gravidarum (in cases where it is caused by pregnancy), lineae atrophicae, striae distensae, linea albicante, or simply striae."
"If you're noticing stretch marks on your body, you're not alone. Most girls and women have stretch marks, which tend to show up on the breasts, thighs, hips, and butt. Many women get them during pregnancy. And while they're more common in girls, guys can get stretch marks, too."
Stretch Marks - Causes, Prevention, and Treatments
" Skin does not bounce back if it's been stretched by rapid growth due to pregnancy, weight gain, or extreme weight loss. Instead, it becomes decorated by a form of scarring called stretch marks, or striae. Stretch marks often start off as reddish or purplish in color and then become glossy skin that appears streaked in silver or white. Stretch marks occur in the dermis, the elastic middle layer of skin that allows it to retain its shape. However, when constantly stretched, the dermis can break down leaving behind stretch marks."
"Getting rid of stretch marks is the main theme of this website but it is also something that a great many women (and some men) worry about every day. I get numerous emails asking how to get rid of stretch marks quickly. The people that email me promise me that they won't attend an event of a lifetime if they can't get rid of stretchmarks. Quite honestly, stretch marks should not keep you from doing the thing in life that are fun. Period."
"Stretch marks may vary in their appearance. When they first show up they may have a reddish or purplish coloration and appear slightly indented into the skin, with a noticeably different texture. In many cases, stretch marks may fade over time to a more silver-white color; however, their texture normally remains fairly consistent. Because scar tissue tends to have less melanin (pigment), tanning may make them become more visible as they may not darken with the surrounding skin."
Stretch Marks - Pregnancy and Child Birth
"They tend to be pinkish in light skinned women, and in dark skinned women they will be lighter than the surrounding skin after pregnancy. They reflect the separation of collagen of the skin. While not painful, the stretching of the skin may cause a tingling or itchy sensation. A good lotion can help with the increased dryness or itchiness of the skin, but will not prevent stretch marks no matter how diligent you are or how much you spend on the cream."
"When searching for stretch marks treatment to heal stretch marks, it’s important to know that the layer of skin that needs to be treated actually has three layers, the epidermis which is the top layer, the dermis or middle layer and the subcutaneous stratum, which is the inner layer. The dermis is responsible for helping skin keep its shape. When the skin is stretched over a period of time, it becomes less elastic, so that the dermis loses its support causing dermal and epidermal tearing, what we call stretch marks. And there is a stretch marks cream that works extremely well for this."
"Stretch marks (striae) are pink, reddish or purplish indented streaks that often appear on the abdomen, breasts, upper arms, buttocks and thighs. Stretch marks are very common in pregnant women, especially during the last half of pregnancy."