31 years
Why do I have pronounced stretch marks on my thighs? Ive always been very thin. And how to get rid of them?
Aug 12, 2014
Stretch marks are pink, red or purple streaks often appear on the abdomen, breasts, upper arms, buttocks and thighs and eventually fade to white or gray.
Their mechanism of appearance in a simple description is that for some reasons and /or factors the skin can't extend with the quick speed of a weight loss or gain ,and thus it tear inside causing these striated lines to appear which we call stretch marks .
Thus any rapid weight loss or weight gain changes or even the fluctuation in between gain and loss may cause in some people this condition ,this condition is seen in pregnant women mostly and in bodybuilder too and the case seen more in presence of a family hIstory or heredity or in presence of dry unhydrated skin (not enough intake of water or not enough moisturizing for the skin)
They are caused by a stretching of the skin for that they are called like this .Stretch marks are more extreme when coupled with an increase in cortisone, a hormone produced by the adrenal glands. Cortisone weakens elastic fibers in the skin.
Stretch marks develop in a variety of circumstances, including:
>Pregnancy. Most pregnant women develop stretch marks by the end of their pregnancy.
> hormonal factors may play a role in elasticity of the skin
>Weight gain ,Weightlifters can develop stretch marks, particularly on the arms. Adolescents may notice stretch marks during growth spurts.
>Medication use,Corticosteroid creams, lotions and pills and chronic use of oral or systemic steroids can cause stretch marks.
>Conditions or diseases. Cushing's syndrome and adrenal gland diseases can cause widespread stretch
>Being female are more prone to this condition whereas some men had it too
>Having a family history of stretch marks
>Rapidly gaining or losing weight
If you are currently hitting the weights, there are several things you can do to reduce your risk of developing those annoying purple lines on your skin.
Step 1
When you lift really heavy weights, you run the risk of bulking up quickly, which can stretch your skin. Keep your weights to moderate levels and perform higher reps. Aim for the 12 to 15 range. Keep your rest periods to 60 seconds or less.
Step 2
Eat enough food to fuel your workouts and promote muscle gain, but do not go overboard. Any type of fast weight gain can lead to stretch marks. Prevent this from happening by keeping your calories under control. Follow a healthy diet that is loaded with fruits, vegetables, lean meats, whole grains and low-fat dairy. Also drink plenty of water to keep your skin hydrated. Aim for at least 10 cups daily.
Step 3
Perform cardiovascular exercise. This can lead to an efficient caloric expenditure and prevent you from bulking up too quickly. Do cardio three days a week for at least 30 minutes. Running, fast-paced walking, stair climbing and swimming are good cardio exercises.
Step 4
Apply a skin moisturizer one or two times a day. This can keep your skin supple and soft, and further safeguard you from developing stretch marks. Use cocoa butter or some form of cream that's enriched with antioxidants and minerals and vtamin E.
Step 5
Exfoliate your skin to stimulate circulation and remove old skin cells. Use a soft-bristled brush while you are in the shower and go in circular motions. Work your way from the areas farthest from your heart toward it. Target all of the areas where stretch marks from exercise commonly appear, such as the upper arms, shoulders and chest.
Step 6
-If bothering you you can check with a dermatologist to prescribe you depending on their appearance and condition a retinoid cream if not contraindicated , this speeds up cell turnover and can stimulate new collagen growth, leading to plumper, healthier skin.
-other more treatments are lasers that heat the skin. That boosts collagen growth and shrinks dilated blood vessels. It may take a number of sessions to see results
-Gentler processes such as dermabrasion can also help renew the skin.
However ,ususally stretch marks are better to be prevented than treated ,and if pink in color the chance of treatment is bigger than if white but usually the white color will fade over time especially in white people .
Strict to healthy plan stay away of weight fluctuatings eat healthy ,boost with vitamins ,drink plenty of water moisturise your skin that all what you need to protect your skin from such appearance .
Their mechanism of appearance in a simple description is that for some reasons and /or factors the skin can't extend with the quick speed of a weight loss or gain ,and thus it tear inside causing these striated lines to appear which we call stretch marks .
Thus any rapid weight loss or weight gain changes or even the fluctuation in between gain and loss may cause in some people this condition ,this condition is seen in pregnant women mostly and in bodybuilder too and the case seen more in presence of a family hIstory or heredity or in presence of dry unhydrated skin (not enough intake of water or not enough moisturizing for the skin)
They are caused by a stretching of the skin for that they are called like this .Stretch marks are more extreme when coupled with an increase in cortisone, a hormone produced by the adrenal glands. Cortisone weakens elastic fibers in the skin.
Stretch marks develop in a variety of circumstances, including:
>Pregnancy. Most pregnant women develop stretch marks by the end of their pregnancy.
> hormonal factors may play a role in elasticity of the skin
>Weight gain ,Weightlifters can develop stretch marks, particularly on the arms. Adolescents may notice stretch marks during growth spurts.
>Medication use,Corticosteroid creams, lotions and pills and chronic use of oral or systemic steroids can cause stretch marks.
>Conditions or diseases. Cushing's syndrome and adrenal gland diseases can cause widespread stretch
>Being female are more prone to this condition whereas some men had it too
>Having a family history of stretch marks
>Rapidly gaining or losing weight
If you are currently hitting the weights, there are several things you can do to reduce your risk of developing those annoying purple lines on your skin.
Step 1
When you lift really heavy weights, you run the risk of bulking up quickly, which can stretch your skin. Keep your weights to moderate levels and perform higher reps. Aim for the 12 to 15 range. Keep your rest periods to 60 seconds or less.
Step 2
Eat enough food to fuel your workouts and promote muscle gain, but do not go overboard. Any type of fast weight gain can lead to stretch marks. Prevent this from happening by keeping your calories under control. Follow a healthy diet that is loaded with fruits, vegetables, lean meats, whole grains and low-fat dairy. Also drink plenty of water to keep your skin hydrated. Aim for at least 10 cups daily.
Step 3
Perform cardiovascular exercise. This can lead to an efficient caloric expenditure and prevent you from bulking up too quickly. Do cardio three days a week for at least 30 minutes. Running, fast-paced walking, stair climbing and swimming are good cardio exercises.
Step 4
Apply a skin moisturizer one or two times a day. This can keep your skin supple and soft, and further safeguard you from developing stretch marks. Use cocoa butter or some form of cream that's enriched with antioxidants and minerals and vtamin E.
Step 5
Exfoliate your skin to stimulate circulation and remove old skin cells. Use a soft-bristled brush while you are in the shower and go in circular motions. Work your way from the areas farthest from your heart toward it. Target all of the areas where stretch marks from exercise commonly appear, such as the upper arms, shoulders and chest.
Step 6
-If bothering you you can check with a dermatologist to prescribe you depending on their appearance and condition a retinoid cream if not contraindicated , this speeds up cell turnover and can stimulate new collagen growth, leading to plumper, healthier skin.
-other more treatments are lasers that heat the skin. That boosts collagen growth and shrinks dilated blood vessels. It may take a number of sessions to see results
-Gentler processes such as dermabrasion can also help renew the skin.
However ,ususally stretch marks are better to be prevented than treated ,and if pink in color the chance of treatment is bigger than if white but usually the white color will fade over time especially in white people .
Strict to healthy plan stay away of weight fluctuatings eat healthy ,boost with vitamins ,drink plenty of water moisturise your skin that all what you need to protect your skin from such appearance .
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Stretch marks are lines that appear on the body that are due to tissue underneath the skin tearing from rapid growth or over-stretching. It is a rather common condition (affecting 70% of adolescent girls and 40% of boys) that does not result in any medical problems, but it can be esthetically bothersome. Stretch marks are also known as striae distensae, striae atrophicans, striae rubra (which are red) and striae alba (white).
Stretch marks occur in certain areas of the body where skin is undergoes continuous and progressive stretching. These areas include:
Abdomen and breast in pregnant women
Adolescents undergoing growth spurts (thighs, buttocks, breasts)
Shoulders in body-builders
Obese or overweight people
Stretch marks can also result from long-term use of oral or topical corticosteroids, and from anabolic steroids (in body builders). They are also a hallmark feature of the disease Cushing's syndrome, which occurs when the adrenal gland, the small gland situated on top of each kidney, enlarges and secretes excessive amounts of cortisol (this disease is associated with other features, including abdominal obesity but thinning of the arms and legs, round moon-shaped face, easy bruising, increase in body hair, high blood pressure, among other features). If you do not have any of thses associated signs and symptoms, you need not worry about Cushing’s syndrome.
Stretch marks begin to form when an area of skin becomes flattened and thin with a pink color, with an occasional itchy sensation associated with it. This is followed by the appearance of reddish or purplish lines that are perpendicular to the direction of skin tension (striae rubra). Over time, these lines turn whitish or flesh-colored and much less noticeable (striae alba). Stretch marks are usually several centimeters in length and 1-10 mm in width. Those associated with corticosteroid use or Cushing's syndrome are often larger and wider and may involve other regions, including the face.
Factors leading to the development of striae have not been fully revealed. Striae distensae are a reflection of "breaks" in the connective tissue. Skin distension may lead to damage of collagen and elastin, the two major proteins in the skin. Prolonged use of oral or topical corticosteroids or Cushing syndrome (as previously mentioned) leads to the development of striae. Genetic factors play a rile that is not well understood.
Stretch marks usually are only a cosmetic problem, with the rare event of ulceration or easy tearing if they are extensive or subject to trauma. Stretch marks occurring in adolescents become less visible over time and generally require no treatment. In other cases, if stretch marks persist and are a cause of concern, the following treatments may be tried, but there is no proof that they are effective:
Moisturising oils
Topical retinoid therapy
Chemical peels
Pulsed dye laser therapy
Fractional thermolysis
Skin needling
Stretch marks occur in certain areas of the body where skin is undergoes continuous and progressive stretching. These areas include:
Abdomen and breast in pregnant women
Adolescents undergoing growth spurts (thighs, buttocks, breasts)
Shoulders in body-builders
Obese or overweight people
Stretch marks can also result from long-term use of oral or topical corticosteroids, and from anabolic steroids (in body builders). They are also a hallmark feature of the disease Cushing's syndrome, which occurs when the adrenal gland, the small gland situated on top of each kidney, enlarges and secretes excessive amounts of cortisol (this disease is associated with other features, including abdominal obesity but thinning of the arms and legs, round moon-shaped face, easy bruising, increase in body hair, high blood pressure, among other features). If you do not have any of thses associated signs and symptoms, you need not worry about Cushing’s syndrome.
Stretch marks begin to form when an area of skin becomes flattened and thin with a pink color, with an occasional itchy sensation associated with it. This is followed by the appearance of reddish or purplish lines that are perpendicular to the direction of skin tension (striae rubra). Over time, these lines turn whitish or flesh-colored and much less noticeable (striae alba). Stretch marks are usually several centimeters in length and 1-10 mm in width. Those associated with corticosteroid use or Cushing's syndrome are often larger and wider and may involve other regions, including the face.
Factors leading to the development of striae have not been fully revealed. Striae distensae are a reflection of "breaks" in the connective tissue. Skin distension may lead to damage of collagen and elastin, the two major proteins in the skin. Prolonged use of oral or topical corticosteroids or Cushing syndrome (as previously mentioned) leads to the development of striae. Genetic factors play a rile that is not well understood.
Stretch marks usually are only a cosmetic problem, with the rare event of ulceration or easy tearing if they are extensive or subject to trauma. Stretch marks occurring in adolescents become less visible over time and generally require no treatment. In other cases, if stretch marks persist and are a cause of concern, the following treatments may be tried, but there is no proof that they are effective:
Moisturising oils
Topical retinoid therapy
Chemical peels
Pulsed dye laser therapy
Fractional thermolysis
Skin needling
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