Stretch marks, medically known as striae, are a kind of skin scarring.
They form as a result of dermis tearing.
These marks can gradually diminish but will not completely disappear.
Striae usually result from rapid skin stretching.
The rapid stretching causes the dermis to break down and lose its elasticity.
When this happens, microscopic bleeding and inflammation occurs, resulting to the raised red-purplish appearance of fresh striae.
These marks can heal over time, then turning into silvery white marks.
Many conditions can lead to stretch marks formation.
Rapid body growth and weight gain such as the ones occurring during pregnancy, puberty, muscle building can result to the development of striae.
Aside from rapid skin stretching, striae can also be caused by abnormal formation of collagen.
Conditions such as diabetes and Cushing's disease can cause such abnormality.
Post-pregnant women and individuals who use cortisone compounds are also prone to getting the marks.
These scars can also be a result of hormonal changes.
Conditions which can cause hormonal changes include puberty, pregnancy, and hormone replacement therapy.
Striae can develop anywhere in the body.
However, they usually form in parts where fats, in large amounts, are stored.
The abdomen, breasts, underarms, back, buttocks, hips, upper arms, and thighs are the most common site of stretch marks formation.
Prevention of striae formation can be difficult.
Most striae prevention creams do not work, some of them do work but only to a certain extent.
The reddish-purple marks will, however, eventually disappear once the source of stretching or abnormal collagen formation is gone.
If the cause of the marks is rapid skin stretching, the best way to prevent them is to avoid rapid weight gain.
There are a number of stretch marks treatments available-both surgical and nonsurgical methods.
Striae treatments include prescription retinoid, laser treatments, and dermabrasion.
Over-the-counter creams and ointments which claim to remove stretch marks are not usually effective as treatments.
Laser treatments, such as fractional laser resurfacing and pulsed dye laser treatment, are usually the treatment of choice for striae.
However, marks which penetrates the epidermis of the skin can not be removed by laser treatments.
For the removal of such marks, a tummy tuck is usually performed.
Striae do not pose any health risk nor do they cause any disability in the body's normal functions.
They can, however, cause cosmetic problems.
It is for this reason why many individuals, particularly women, seek stretch marks treatment.