Stretch marks or striae are atrophic scars on the epidermis, which are formed due to prolonged stretching of the skin. Their color varies from cyanotic to white. Most often appear in women. However, men are not immune from them. Striae are often formed on the abdomen, chest, hips. May be multiple or single.
Striae is the result of a breakdown of the elastin and collagen fibers in the dermis. Tears are replaced by connective tissue, which visually resembles scar scars. Stretch marks - this is not a disease or even its consequence. This is a cosmetic defect that worries women solely for an aesthetic reason.
Why do stretch marks form?
The main reasons for their occurrence are:
- Pregnancy. A natural condition in which stretch marks are almost inevitable due to a sharp increase in weight and changes in hormonal levels. Today on sale you can find a number of cosmetics that are approved for use during pregnancy. During the period of carrying the fetus, deep, vertical striae are usually formed.
- Disruption of the hormonal background. In adolescents, due to such a violation, a predisposition to stretch marks often appears. In this case, they can appear on the skin in the form of horizontal defects.
Also, stretch marks can appear due to some diseases of the endocrine system and the intake of hormones.
Can stretch marks be removed?
This question is asked by every woman who has a similar cosmetic defect. Modern cosmetology offers many procedures to eliminate it. But it is impossible to get rid of deep, pronounced stretch marks. The skin will still remain barely noticeable stripes.
If the striae are shallow, you can eliminate them at home. Beauticians advise regular peeling, especially coffee ones, and lubricate the skin with natural oils. After all, damaged skin needs constant cleansing and moisturizing.
In stores you can find many creams for stretch marks, which are recommended for use during pregnancy. They have a moisturizing effect. The skin becomes more elastic and resilient, and ruptures of the dermis do not occur during abrupt weight gain. However, no cream can guarantee a 100% result. Indeed, the appearance of stretch marks is influenced by many factors - genetics, skin condition, nutrition. But a quality cream is able to prevent the appearance of deep stretch marks and reduce the severity of already appeared.
On the recommendation of doctors, it is worth starting moisturizing creams during the growth period of the pregnant tummy. Today we will consider the rating of the best remedies for the prevention of striae. Which cream for stretch marks is better?
Important! Doctors advise choosing a cream for stretch marks, which is quickly absorbed, since its active rubbing can provoke uterine tension.
Emulsion "Bepanthol"
The composition of the drug includes the substance dexpanthenol, which, when penetrated into the cells, turns into vitamin B5. It also contains centella extract, glycerin, vitamins A, E and D.
It is one of the best creams for stretch marks. The product has an unobtrusive aroma, is well absorbed and leaves no residue on clothing. But at the same time, Bepantol has a rather oily consistency and forms a film on the skin, which can be inconvenient. This is noticed by girls with sensitive skin.
The cream is ineffective against already existing stretch marks. However, it is an excellent tool for their prevention. Bepanthol moisturizes the skin, making it more supple, supple and soft. Promotes cell regeneration. You can use it throughout the gestation period.
Cream "Biolan"
The product is intended for pregnant women, therefore it has a 97% natural composition. The main component is argan oil, which nourishes the skin and restores its elasticity. The product also contains the Hydra-bleine component - a unique complex of plant origin, combining vegetable oils and wheat proteins. Its main task is to prevent dehydration of the skin.
The cream is intended for application to the chest, thighs, abdomen and buttocks. It effectively prevents the appearance of stretch marks and even reduces the severity of old stretch marks. The product gives the skin velvet and softness. It is quickly absorbed and leaves no residue on clothing. Its only drawback is a specific smell, which not everyone likes.
Sanosan Cream
One of the best creams for the prevention of striae with anti-cellulite effect. It contains an extract of hibiscus seeds, jojoba oil and chitosan. Since the drug is used by pregnant women and nursing mothers, it does not contain paraffin oil and dyes.
The cream has a rejuvenating effect, moisturizes the epidermis, stimulates tissue regeneration. An extract from hibiscus seeds provides nourishment to the skin. Chitosan is used in medicine for wound healing without scarring.
According to the reviews of women, the cream from stretch marks for pregnant women “Sanosan” effectively moisturizes the skin, slightly increases its elasticity. It is well distributed on the skin and smells good. Slowly absorbed. It is noted that the cream helps to reduce the severity of the formed stretch marks, make them more pale and invisible. The approximate cost is 320 rubles.
Avent Cream
Avent Stretch Mark Cream for Pregnant Women is a specialized anti-striae treatment. It was tested many times before it hit the shelves. One of its main advantages is the absence of contraindications. Its natural composition allows you to use the product during pregnancy and lactation. Among the ingredients of the cream are shea butter and papaya, as well as algae extract. The manufacturer notes that the cream is especially effective in early pregnancy, when stretch marks can be prevented.
It is proved that Avent helps to avoid the appearance of deep stretch marks and gradually reduces the severity of those that appear. In their reviews, the girls note that the product eliminates the itching on the skin that accompanies its stretching, smells nice and leaves no residue on the skin. Effectively removes dryness. The only drawback of Avent cream is its high cost. But in 2017, he took first place in the rating of creams for stretch marks in terms of price and quality. The approximate cost is 920 rubles.
Mustela Cream
A cosmetic product created by a French laboratory is sold worldwide. It was made specifically for pregnant women and nursing mothers, so it has an absolutely natural composition.
The cream of Mustela stretch marks contains natural ingredients - silicon, oligo-elements and Japanese Sophora, beeswax, shea butter, avocado peptides.
The tool received rave reviews from many of the women who used it. The cream has a pleasant aroma and a thick, oily consistency. It is quickly absorbed and economically consumed. Which is especially important, given its cost. Effective against striae. Cream 100% increases the skin's resistance to stretch marks. In the testing process, 92% of women helped to avoid striae. It is recommended to apply it on the chest, abdomen and thighs. The approximate cost is 2399 rubles.
Vitabiotics Pregnacare
This is a good cream for stretch marks, reviews of which are mostly positive. The cream is enriched with primrose oil, vitamins B, E, C. It is in demand both during pregnancy and during lactation.
The product relieves inflammation, nourishes the skin with the substances it needs, promotes tissue regeneration and eliminates stretch marks. It has a pleasant creamy texture and is easily distributed over the skin. In their reviews of Pregnacare stretch marks cream, young mothers note that the cream copes with its main task - it prevents the appearance of new stretch marks. However, he is not able to reduce the already appeared ones. Many continue to use it after childbirth, as a nourishing and moisturizing agent.
But there are also disadvantages of the remedy. It is slowly absorbed. It forms a thin film on the skin, which is difficult to wash off and stain clothes. The approximate cost is 1200 rubles.
Mamma Care Baby Bom Cream
This tool is one of the best creams for the prevention of stretch marks. The cream contains coconut oil, fruit acids, Fucus extract and essential oils. Of course, not without synthetic ingredients. The product is a thick white cream of medium fat content with an unobtrusive pleasant smell. Leaves no marks on clothes and is quickly absorbed.
The manufacturer promises intensive hydration and prevention of stretch marks. However, reviews indicate that the cream does not help everyone. Some still have stretch marks. However, no cosmetic product can guarantee a 100% result. After all, the appearance of stretch marks depends on many factors.
Its main function is hydration and nutrition, Mamma Care Baby Bom performs perfectly.
Cream by Vichy
This cosmetic product from the Vichy brand has a hypoallergenic composition and is suitable for all skin types. It is well absorbed and leaves no residue on the skin. It has an unobtrusive odorless odor that resembles a drug.
The manufacturer positions the cream as an aid in the fight against stretch marks. He cannot guarantee their complete absence. However, the cream effectively moisturizes and nourishes the skin, improving its condition and increasing elasticity. The product contains Vichy thermal water, glycerin, silicon, bassia oil, tocopherol (vitamin E) and the hydroxyproline amino acid.
Its main disadvantages are uneconomical consumption and high price. The approximate cost is 750 rubles.
Application of oils
It is difficult to say which cream for stretch marks is better. Every woman is looking for her perfect product.
Many creams against stretch marks help in the fight against this cosmetic defect. However, natural oils and products based on them are even more effective. Thanks to intensive hydration, it is much easier for the skin to cope with weight gain. Oils nourish the skin, saturate it with vitamins and minerals, add velvety and increase elasticity. In addition, they are absolutely safe for the health of developing crumbs, since they do not contain any harmful substances.
However, they also have their drawbacks. First of all, any base oil with constant use clogs the pores. Therefore, the skin should be regularly cleaned with peeling based on oatmeal, coffee or sugar. Also, oils are slowly absorbed and often leave marks on clothing.
What oils are most effective for the prevention of stretch marks?
- Almond oil, thanks to vitamins A, E, F and group B, nourishes the skin and promotes the production of elastane. As a result, the skin becomes more firm and elastic. Almond oil also normalizes lipid-water balance, which can be disturbed during pregnancy.
- Coconut oil fights the already formed striae and prevents the emergence of new ones. Vitamin E, contained in its composition, makes the skin more even and protects its cells from damage.
- Apricot oil is approved for use by pregnant and lactating mothers, as well as newborns. Suitable for any skin type. It has a regenerating and tonic effect.
- Olive oil is one of the most popular in the cosmetics industry. It promotes intense skin hydration. It is recommended to apply it twice a day to problem areas. Olive oil can be consumed orally in the morning to maintain the body. But before that, it is important to familiarize yourself with its contraindications. It contains omega-3 unsaturated fatty acids, which are involved in the formation of the fetus and improve maternal health. In later pregnancy, it even contributes to the opening of the cervix.
These oils not only help to avoid stretch marks, but are also allowed during pregnancy. Beauticians are also advised to use essential oils that are allowed during pregnancy. They are added to creams, shower gels, lotions and scrubs in 1-2 drops. The concentration of substances in the essential oil is how high that more is not required.
For pregnant women, in order to prevent stretch marks, you can add a drop of essential oils to the bath. However, while wearing the baby, such baths must be taken very carefully, no more than 1-2 times a week with a water temperature of up to 38 degrees. The duration of the procedure is up to 15 minutes.
Almond, geranium, lavender, calendula and orange essential oils can be added to the bath. They can also enrich base oils, which are applied to the skin instead of a cream to prevent stretch marks. However, it should be noted: a number of oils during pregnancy are strictly prohibited.
Weleda Stretch Mark Oil
The Swiss company Weleda produces cosmetics based on natural ingredients. Weleda oil is especially popular for the prevention of stretch marks. It contains only natural ingredients - jojoba oil, almond oil, wheat germ, arnica, as well as a mixture of essential oils - roses, myrrh, neroli and frankincense.
The product is a moderately thick, oily liquid with a stable, but dim aroma. Like any natural oil, it is slowly absorbed and may leave marks on clothing, so it is recommended to use it before bedtime.
Oil is one of the best moisturizers in the cosmetic market. It nourishes the skin with the necessary substances, makes it more elastic. The tool is very economically consumed due to its oily consistency.
Its price is somewhat overpriced. After all, 100 ml of oil costs about 2,000 rubles. For the entire period of pregnancy you will need several bottles. According to the observations of future mothers, 100 ml should be enough for 4 months.
Johnson Baby Stretch Mark Oil
This is a budget but effective remedy for stretch marks. The oil is absolutely safe for a future mother and a growing baby, so you can use it from the first months of pregnancy and during lactation. It is recommended to apply the oil several times a day, applying it to problem areas.
Reviews indicate that the oil perfectly moisturizes and nourishes the skin. It is economically consumed, has a pleasant aroma. It is especially effective against already existing stretch marks, which become almost invisible after several months of constant use of the product.
During pregnancy, the oil prevents stretch marks and relieves the itching that precedes the rupture of the dermis. As a result, stretch marks either do not appear at all or gradually disappear.
Conclusion
No remedy can guarantee the absence of stretch marks. However, creams or oils with an intense moisturizing effect can prevent the appearance of deep, pronounced striae.