Are you wondering what causes and how to prevent and treat stretch marks?

You can wisely choose how to prevent and treat them once you understand that the skin is composed of the intercellular elements that serve as scaffolds for the different structural elements of the skin. These elements are in charge of the skin's mechanical properties: firmness, strength, suppleness, and elasticity.

Stretch marks affect skin that is subjected to continuous and progressive stretching; increased stress is placed on the connective tissue due to increased size of the various parts of the body.

It occurs on the abdomen and the breasts of pregnant women, on the shoulders of body builders, in adolescents undergoing their growth spurt, and in individuals who are overweight.

It has also been suggested that they develop more easily in skin that has a high proportion of rigid cross-linked collagen, as occurs in early adult life.

Prolonged use of oral or topical corticosteroids or Cushing syndrome (increased adrenal cortical activity) leads to the development of stretch marks. Genetic factors could certainly play a role, although this is not fully understood.

The most commonly affected areas of the body include the abdominal area, thighs, upper arms, breasts, hips, and lower back.

Causes of stretch marks (stria)

Dermal inflammation and dilated capillaries mark the initial presentation, which results in an erythematous appearance with characteristic pink, lavender, and purple hues. Later, striae appear hypopigmented and fibrotic. Pathogenesis remains unclear, although estrogen and mast cell degranulation with elastolysis may be contributing factors.

Skin distension apparently leads to excessive mast cell degranulation with subsequent immoderate inflammation that damages collagen and elastin connective skin tissues.

It has been postulated that stretch marks may result from an exaggerated wound healing process, and, clinically — in pregnancy at least — the severity of stetch marks appears to be related to a younger maternal age, although the age of onset of stretch marks was not recorded by Salter et al. (2006). Of further interest is a significantly higher occurrence of varicosities in those individuals also presenting with stretch marks. It is plausible that these phenomena describe a generalized deterioration of extracellular matriz structures that could result from a number of biological events.

Mast cell degranulation and elastolysis in the early stage of striae distensae.

1.- A mast cell is a free cell of the connective tissue. This means it is able to migrate through surrounding extracellular matrix using its pseudopodes (or filopodes) which are several micrometers long and motile. The mast cell cytoplasma contains several hundred vesicles (granules). Mast cells are a normal component of body tissues that play a role in the process of tissue repair by releasing inflammatory mediators such as histamine, proteoglycans, and cytokines. Mast-cell activation also stimulates the arrival of other inflammatory cells—a critical step in local inflammation.

They start their lives in the bone marrow, leaving it as monocytes released into the bloodstream. But the monocyte is really just a transit stage: fairly rapidly a monocyte will find a place to exit the vascular system, because they're really a conective tissue cell. They enter intercellular spaces, where they settle down and complete their final differentiation into the definitive mast cell morphology. Mast cells are involved in allergy, acute and chronic inflammation processes, T-cell activation and tissue defense of parasites. Their function is improper in many deseases of the skin e.g., psoriasis, chronic eczema, sclerodermia, lichen simplex and - planus.

2.- Elastolysis is characterized by degenerative changes in the elastic fibers resulting in loose, pendulous skin. The skin is sagging, redundant, and stretchable, with reduced elastic recoil. Alterations in the quantity or the morphology of elastin in which fragmentation or a loss of elastic fibers is present. Abnormal cross-linking of elastin may also exist.

Studies have shown that several factors, such as copper deficiency, lysyl oxidase, elastases, and elastase inhibitors, contribute to abnormal elastin degradation. Lysyl oxidase, a copper-dependent enzyme, is important in the synthesis and cross-linking of elastin and collagen. Therefore, low levels of serum copper could lead to diminished elastin synthesis. However, only a few patients with cutis laxa (elastolysis) have demonstrated low serum copper levels. Defective copper utilization may also lead to decreased activity of elastase inhibitor alpha-1 antitrypsin, resulting in destruction of elastic fibers.

Cultured dermal fibroblasts from patients with cutis laxa (elastolysis) have shown increased elastolytic activity compared with healthy skin, and elastolysis has been suggested to result from increased elastase activity.

Inflammatory cells or their mediators might damage elastic fibers. Polymorphonuclear leukocytes and macrophages release elastases, which could damage elastic fibers with subsequent phagocytosis.

Excessive loss of cutaneous elastin in one patient with cutis laxa (elastolysis) appeared to be related to the combined effects of low lysyl oxidase activity with high levels of cathepsin G, an elastolytic protease. However, variations in the morphology of the elastic fibers among skin samples from individuals with cutis laxa (elastolysis) suggest that the biochemical basis of the disorder may be heterogeneous. Indeed, cutis laxa (elastolysis) could result from mutations that affect the synthesis, the stabilization, or the degradation of elastic fibers.

3.- According to Sheu HM, Yu HS, Chang CH. Department of Dermatology, Kaohsiung Medical College, Taiwan, R.O.C. Journal of Cutaneous Pathology 01/01/1992; 18(6):410-6. ISSN: 0303-6987: "The lesions of nine patients with early striae distensae (SD = stretch marks) during puberty were examined by light and electron microscopy. Specific changes were seen in very early stage SD, and in clinically uninvolved skin 0.5 to 3 cm remote from the edge of the long axis of the stretch mark lesions.

Sequential changes of elastolysis accompanied by mast cell degranulation appeared first, followed by an influx of activated macrophages that enveloped fragmented elastic fibers. The relationships among elastic fibers, mast cells, and macrophages seen suggest their critical roles in the process of stretch marks formation, especially in the early stage.

Our results also indicate that the elastic fiber is the primary target of the pathological process, and the abnormalities extend as far as 3 cm beyond the lesion into normal skin."

Stretch marks can vary in appearance however; many are much like scars as they take on a shiny, depressed texture and redish color. Over time it is possible that this appearance can fade. The scar can be reduced and the reddish lines can become lighter in color.

Pregnancy: the main occasion of stretch marks

Pregnancy is a beautiful time with a number of ugly consequences. Many of those occur with the skin due to hormonal changes as well as the physical changes the body undergoes when expecting.

The most commonly experienced consequence is stretch marks. Skin becomes thinner during pregnancy because of high hormone levels that disrupt the skin's equilibrium. By the third trimester, about 90 % of women have experienced stretch marks. These marks could be disgusting, but luckily there are options available for stretch mark removal.

Stretch Mark Removal by Surgery

A popular way to get rid of stretch marks is by surgery. Tummy tucks, or more medically known as abdominoplasties remove skin in the area under the belly button. During pregnancy, this is where the majority of stretch marks appear. Removal of this area eliminates stretch marks entirely.

No matter where you experience stretch marks the surgery can be done as long as there is an excess of skin. Surgeries always come with the risk of scarring as well. However, these will be low enough to cover up with clothing. And with proper care and treatment, they can be completely faded within the first year after surgery.

Seek Natural Alternatives

Are you determined to do something about your stretch marks before they get worse?

Unfortunately, health insurance does not always cover aesthetic surgeries such as this one. The cost depends on where you get the procedure done. An estimated price could range from 4000 to 7500 dollars. Therefore, it is in your best interest to evade stretch marks all together by preventing their appearance by using particular natural products.

You don't have to pay for expensive treatments. Instead, why not try a more natural approach that is helping thousands of people forget their stretch marks.

The best way to treat stretch marks is with natural products. Bio Body Cream eliminates stretch marks by dissolving and renewing damaged tissues. This stretch mark scar removal cream is able to digest scar tissue and moisturize your skin with its specially formulated biological ingredients.

Avoid expensive plastic surgeries and get rid of stretch marks the natural way with effective and organic Biocutis skin treatment products.

BIO BODY CREAM

FOR SCARS & STRETCH MARKS

For the treatment of stretch marks and body scars. Not for facial application because it contains a higher content of our biological serum than our other creams. This difference results in a thin protective film on the applied area which may feel tacky on the face.

$79.98 for 120 grams = 4 oz.

BIOSKINEXFOL

FOR RAISED SCARS & OLD STRETCH MARKS

A home microdermabrasion cream with high quality microcrystals, the same that professionals use to breakdown and polish away hard, rough and old scar tissues. Allows for a deeper penetration of the biological natural skin moisturizing and regeneration serum that is combined with the crystals in the microdermabrasion cream.

$89 for 120 grams = 4 oz.