The female body undergoes a large number of changes throughout life — pregnancy, increase and decrease in body weight. All of this can lead to skin problems. In addition to cellulite, there is another cosmetic problem in women, which brings a lot of inconvenience. Striae, or stretch marks, are formed mainly on the stomach, chest and hips, as well as the buttocks. A lot of women suffer from this drawback, because they are difficult to hide under open summer clothes or a swimsuit. Typically, striae appear during pregnancy, so the main question about how to remove stretch marks after childbirth, torments many women.
How are gaps formed?
Striae, or stretch marks, is a scar tissue that appears due to skin tears. They are formed due to a violation of the integrity of collagen fibers and blood vessels. Due to the rupture of capillary vessels, freshly formed striae look like a bruise, but collagen fibers are also torn, and the process of their regeneration takes a very long time. This is due to excessive stretching of the skin during pregnancy or too rapid weight gain. Connective tissue forms faster and fills the gaps, because of this, the stretch marks become white. The skin structure also suffers, at the place of tears it becomes flabby and loose.
Causes of stretch marks
Not all women face this problem, because it all depends on the individual elasticity of the skin. Age is also not a barrier to their appearance, they can appear in very young girls and in adult ladies, and sometimes even in men. The main reasons for the appearance of striae are as follows:
- Very fast weight gain, especially during pregnancy. Mostly stretch marks are formed on the abdomen after childbirth. How to remove them? This is the most common question among women giving birth.
- Intensive body growth in adolescence.
- A rapid increase in muscle volume is the main reason for the appearance of stretch marks in men.
- Hormonal failure in the body.
- Genetics is also one of the decisive factors, because skin elasticity is a hereditary factor.
Fighting stretch marks at home
There are many ways to get rid of striae at home. Alternative methods will make them less noticeable, especially these gentle methods are recommended for adolescents. How to remove stretch marks at home? Consider the main ways:
- Scrubbing. The abrasives found in scrubs help remove the stratum corneum of the skin. This speeds up the regeneration process, and the skin renews more intensively. Scrubs can be bought at the store or made with your own hands. There are a great many recipes; scrubs are made on the basis of sea salt, sugar, ground coffee and other natural ingredients with the addition of essential oils. After such a procedure, the skin becomes elastic and velvety.
- Massage. It can easily be done by anyone, most importantly, adhere to certain rules. Each part of the body needs to be massaged in a certain direction. It is recommended to massage the abdomen in a circle and clockwise, hips and waist - from bottom to top vertically, buttocks are massaged horizontally from the center to the edges of the hips. When using special cosmetics, the effect of the procedure will intensify, you can also purchase a massage mitten or brush.
- Cold and hot shower. This is a simple and reliable method not only to improve the elasticity of the skin, but also to strengthen the body as a whole. With alternating cold and warm water, blood circulation is enhanced and enhanced metabolism is triggered. This procedure can be combined with massage using a hard washcloth.
This is one of the most effective means to combat striae. There are many ways to help remove stretch marks on the abdomen at home. For maximum effectiveness, you can also use them simultaneously or alternate.
Cosmetic products
Mummy is a long-known and effective tool that is well known for its effectiveness in the fight against stretch marks. Using it is quite simple, you need to dilute the mummy in water and apply the resulting slurry to the skin. The main thing is not to overdo it, because in large quantities this substance can be toxic. In addition, the mummy can be combined with a moisturizing body cream, this will improve its properties.
Various oils are excellent at fighting stretch marks. They contain a huge amount of vitamin E, which improves skin elasticity. The most effective are oil of orange, almond, grapefruit, rosemary and others. They are applied independently during a massage or after a bath, or combined with various ingredients for the manufacture of scrubs or creams. You can use olive oil, which is often found in housewives in the kitchen and is very appreciated for its beneficial properties. On its basis also produce a huge number of cosmetics for skin care.
Effective Recipes
Consider the most popular folk recipes for cosmetics that can help remove stretch marks.
- Salt scrub. We take salt and sugar in equal proportions (1 cup each), mix with 0.5 cups of any cosmetic oil.
- Coffee scrub. Ground coffee (100 g) is poured with boiling water until gruel is formed, after which add 1 tbsp. a spoonful of cosmetic and 5-7 drops of essential oil (rosemary, grapefruit or others).
- Cream with mummy. One gram of mummy is bred in 1 tbsp. spoon of water and mix with 80 g of baby or any moisturizer.
- Masks with sour cream and kefir. These dairy products are simply rubbed into the skin or applied to stretch marks for 20 minutes.
All recipes consist of natural ingredients, so the finished cosmetics should be stored in a cool place.
Cosmetic procedures against stretch marks
With deep ruptures of the epidermis, home methods are not always effective, creams and other cosmetics also do not help remove stretch marks. After unsuccessful attempts of independent struggle, many women give themselves into the hands of professional cosmetologists. In modern medicine, there are several effective methods of dealing with striae. It is easy to remove stretch marks with a laser, chemical peeling, as well as using microdermabrasion or mesotherapy. Many beauty salons offer complex procedures, they will help get rid of fresh shallow tears. With old stretch marks, the situation is more complicated, it is quite difficult to remove them, but making them less noticeable is quite realistic.
Laser resurfacing
You can remove laser stretch marks on the stomach, hips, buttocks and other parts of the body. This procedure is considered the most effective against old striae, because with the help of a cosmetology apparatus, scar tissue is destroyed. The skin on the site of old stretch marks is updated, the course of such procedures makes tears inconspicuous. You can enhance the effect with professional cosmetics.
Chemical peeling
During this procedure, acids are applied to the problem areas, they give an effect comparable to a chemical burn. Thanks to this radical, but effective method, the old layer of skin dies and exfoliates, and in its place a new one is formed - smooth and beautiful. This method is also very good in the fight against old stretch marks, but only with course use.
Mechanical peeling, or microdermabrasion
This standard hardware procedure exfoliates the stratum corneum of the epidermis. The appearance and elasticity of the skin are greatly improved, it becomes smooth and supple. With a course application and a combination of therapeutic agents against stretch marks, it is quite easy to achieve good results.
Mesotherapy
This gentle procedure is suitable for newly formed stretch marks or is used in combination with other methods. During mesotherapy, vitamins, acids and other active ingredients are introduced by injection, which improve the regeneration and metabolism in the skin cells.
Pregnancy Stretch Marks
Mostly skin defects occur in pregnant women. The uterus grows in size, and the skin on the stomach and hips is greatly stretched. With poor elasticity, stretch marks are difficult to avoid, but following some rules can prevent their appearance.
- Proper nutrition. It is very important for a pregnant woman to maintain a balanced diet. The diet should include fresh fruits and vegetables, fatty fish, sour-milk products and dishes that are rich in protein and fiber. It is better to refrain from sweet and starchy foods, this will help not overeat and prevent stretch marks from too sharp weight gain.
- Physical exercise. After consulting a doctor, you can begin to perform a special set of exercises for pregnant women. And you can visit the pool or just walk a little more.
- Properly selected clothing. During pregnancy, it is better to give preference to free things from natural fabrics. It is also necessary to wear a bandage and a supporting bra, this will help to avoid sagging skin and stretch marks.
- Skin care. Be sure to use moisturizers or oils, you can buy them in the store or cook yourself. It is necessary to apply them after a shower and scrubbing.
Stretch Mark Prevention
Of course, the most effective method in the fight against stretch marks is the prevention of their appearance. There are very simple recommendations that any woman can follow. If observed, the skin will remain beautiful and supple.
- During intense exercise, you must adhere to a proper and healthy diet. The diet should include foods rich in protein, as well as sports nutrition with glucosamine, protein, collagen and chondroitin.
- During pregnancy, you must follow all the rules for the prevention of stretch marks.
- Regular body care improves skin elasticity, do not neglect creams and scrubs. At the first appearance of stretch marks, it is better to use special healing creams.
- Be sure to control your weight, because too sharp a set or losing weight inevitably leads to the appearance of striae.
- It is necessary to regularly do massage or self-massage of problem areas using oils and creams.
- The diet should contain a sufficient amount of vitamins and minerals.
If prevention did not help and ugly scars appeared on the skin, do not get upset. Modern cosmetology can solve most of the problems associated with the skin. Cosmetic companies produce various medications that help remove stretch marks. With timely use, they will return the skin to its former elasticity and velvety.