How to Get Rid of Stretch Marks:
Causes, Types and Prevention
What are
Stretch Marks?
Stretch marks appear when your skin stretches or shrinks in quick succession and are completely normal and harmless. This rapid expansion or contraction of the skin leads to the disruption of Collagen and Elastin fibres that maintain your skin's integrity. Stretch marks begin to form when the skin starts to heal after these sudden changes.
Sometimes referred to as striae, stretch marks can appear on areas such as your stomach, breasts, hips, bottom, and thighs. Just like every other scar, stretch marks are permanent, but there are ways you can minimise their appearance through various treatments, creams and lotions.
What Causes
Stretch Marks?
The root cause of stretch marks is the rapid expansion or contraction of your skin. Their appearance can be more common during periods of fast body growth where the skin cannot keep pace. Here are the most common factors that can either cause or contribute to stretch mark formation:
- Low levels or structural issues of collagen
Collagen helps to maintain skin elasticity and promote healing – a lack of it, or an anomaly in its structure, can lead to noticeable stretch marks when your skin stretches.
- Rapid growth during puberty
Stretch marks are likely to occur in puberty as this is a rapid period of growth for your body, and your skin may not keep pace. This is a normal process and these marks may fade with age.
- During pregnancy
Changes in your body and hormones cause your skin to stretch, weakening its fibres. Although these marks might fade as you lose weight after childbirth, they can still remain noticeable.
- Rapid muscle growth
Avid gym goers, athletes or bodybuilders may notice stretch marks if they gain muscle mass too quickly, as the skin may not be able to keep up with the muscle growth.
- Genetics
Although there isn't a specific gene that will cause stretch marks, a combination of genes controls Collagen, skin elasticity, and other aspects of skin health that can lead to stretch mark formation in case of anomaly.
- Rapid weight changes
Rapid changes in weight put pressure on the skin's fibres, in turn causing stretch marks to appear.
- Sports and lifestyle
Intense movements in sports can sometimes contribute to stretch marks. This is due to stress placed on the skin during activity, rapidly stretching and contracting skin fibres.
Stretch marks
can be classified according to their stage of formation and colour.
These stretch marks are called immature because they appear at the beginning of the stretch mark formation process. They are generally pink, red or purplish in colour (Striae Rubrae) in fair‑skinned people, but can take on a darker or even black appearance (Striae Nigra) in dark‑skinned people.
Their red or dark colour is a result of inflammation caused by damage to the elastic fibres as the skin expands. This stage of stretch marks is generally the best time to treat them since they are at the beginning of the scarring process.
The colour of black or dark stretch marks (Striae Nigra) is linked to the presence of higher concentrations of melanin. Although their colour can fade over time, the use of targeted cosmetic treatments can also reduce their appearance.
White stretch marks, or stretch marks lighter than the skin (Striae Albae), are simply older, faded versions of red or dark stretch marks, and are very common.
White or light stretch marks may be more difficult to reduce than red or dark marks since the scarring process is already advanced. Though they may be permanent, it's possible to fade their appearance over time with proper, consistent skincare.
There are also other classifications of stretch marks which are not detailed in this article.
Who Gets
Stretch Marks?
While often associated with pregnancy, stretch marks can affect anyone during periods of rapid growth or weight changes. This includes:
- Teenagers: During puberty due to rapid growth and development.
- Men: During puberty, weight gain, or intense muscle growth from bodybuilding.
- Women: During puberty, weight gain, bodybuilding, and most commonly pregnancy (affecting 50–90% of women).
Stretch marks are very common during pregnancy, usually forming on the abdomen, chest, thighs and hips. This is for two key reasons:
- Rapid stretching: The skin stretches significantly to accommodate a growing belly, chest, and other areas of weight gain.
- Hormones like oestrogen and relaxin can weaken Collagen and Elastin fibres in the skin, making them more prone to tearing, which leads to stretch marks.
While there is no way to entirely prevent stretch marks, there are a number of ways that might help during pregnancy and beyond.
How to Help Prevent
Stretch Marks?
It is difficult to completely prevent the appearance of stretch marks. Although most prevention methods have not been scientifically proven, they can help to keep your skin in good condition and feeling more comfortable.
- Drinking enough water
If you are not getting enough hydration, you are more susceptible to stretch marks than when your water intake is balanced. Adequate water consumption can help to maintain skin elasticity, reducing the likelihood of stretch marks.
- Moisturise regularly
Although the effectiveness of moisturising products like creams, lotions, and oils to reduce the risk of stretch marks is debated, they may help to keep your skin supple and hydrated.
Look out for hydrating ingredients that are generally safe to use during pregnancy, such as Shea Butter, Vitamin E, and Hyaluronic Acid. During pregnancy it is recommended to avoid Retinol. If you have any concerns, always check the packaging before use or ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice. - Avoiding excessive and rapid weight fluctuations
While this is not possible in all circumstances, such as puberty and pregnancy, you may have more control if you are experiencing rapid weight changes due to lifestyle choices. If you are looking to gain or lose weight, try to do so gradually.
Stretch Marks and
Sport
The intense movements in sports like weightlifting and gymnastics could sometimes cause stretch marks. These activities place stress on the skin, rapidly stretching and contracting your skin fibres.
High‑impact activities like running and jumping could also contribute to stretch marks. While less common than with activities like weightlifting, the intense muscle contractions and repetitive movements can still put stress on the skin, potentially leading to stretch marks in some individuals.
If you are weightlifting and are concerned about stretch marks, you can reduce their likelihood by taking your time with muscle gain. Gradual progress also applies to how hard you push yourself during workouts, so gradually increase the intensity to avoid overloading your body.
Is Stretch Mark Removal
Possible?
Unfortunately, completely getting rid of stretch marks is very near impossible. However, there are certain practices or treatments available that you can adopt to help reduce their appearance over time.
Here are a few methods to help reduce the appearance of stretch marks:
- Light or laser treatments
These treatments aim to encourage the growth of Collagen and Elastin, which could minimise the appearance of stretch marks worsening. These methods are usually aimed at newer stretch marks.
- Microdermabrasion
This process involves exfoliating skin with tiny crystals, removing the top layer and revealing new layers of skin under the stretch marks. This method may be able to improve the appearance of older stretch marks.
- Skincare routine solutions
Topical creams could help to fade the appearance of stretch marks when used regularly. Skincare routines can also help to maintain levels of Collagen and Elastin in the skin, preserving its elasticity.
- Self‑tanning lotions
While these will not do much to reduce the stretch marks themselves, applying self‑tanner can help to temporarily minimise the colour difference between stretch marks and your skin tone. This could help to make them less noticeable.
Do keep in mind when contemplating any treatment option that there is no guarantee of cure or improvement for stretch marks.
Stretch Marks
Cause: Stretch marks develop when the skin stretches or shrinks rapidly, disrupting Collagen and Elastin fibres, as well as overall skin integrity.
Common areas: Stretch marks commonly appear on the stomach, breasts, hips, buttocks, thighs, arms, shoulders, and back.
Factors contributing: Rapid weight gain, puberty growth spurts, pregnancy, bodybuilding, genetics, and certain medical conditions or procedures can contribute to stretch mark formation.
Prevention and management: Stay hydrated, eat a balanced diet, exercise gradually, and use moisturising products to help reduce the appearance of stretch marks.
NIVEA Routine to Help
Reduce Stretch Marks
As mentioned above, there is no way to completely remove stretch marks – however, there are ways to help fade their appearance. One of the most accessible steps is to focus on a dedicated skincare routine:
To begin with, cleanse your body with a gentle and nourishing shower gel or cream. Preferably use a pH‑neutral product to protect the skin from drying out.
The NIVEA Rich Moisture Creme Caring Shower Cream is an ideal choice, as its formula enriched with Vitamin C and E and care oils forms a rich lather that nourishes the skin whilst maintaining the normal pH balance.
Use a skincare product or serum that can help to improve skin elasticity or reduce the appearance of stretch marks over time. To help visibly reduce the appearance of stretch marks, try the NIVEA Serum Oil Anti Stretch Marks. The serum provides 48‑hour moisturisation to the skin for first visible results from 2 weeks – and with regular pinch massages it can help prevent new stretch marks from appearing.
If you prefer a creamier consistency, the NIVEA Luminous630 Anti Stretch‑Marks & Dark Spots Cream is suitable for all skin types. Its formula helps to reduce stretch marks, sun spots and pigmentation marks, while providing 48 hours of hydration.*
Whether you choose the oil‑serum or the cream, a single application per day on the targeted area is sufficient, and you should use only one product containing Thiamidol on your body per day.**
* Instrumental test, 33 subjects, 48 hours after a single application.
** Consumer test, 89 participants.
In addition to targeted skincare, use products such as nourishing body lotions to moisturise the skin on your body and over stretch marks, which is particularly useful if they are recent, inflamed or itchy.
How Does NIVEA Luminous630
Help Care for Stretch Marks?
NIVEA's patented Thiamidol ingredient, developed over a decade of extensive research and testing of 50,000 molecules, targets stretch marks at a cellular level by balancing melanin production.
Through its action on melanin and its ability to promote an even skin tone, Thiamidol not only helps reduce the appearance of stretch marks but also contributes to a brighter, more even‑looking complexion.
Summary
Stretch marks are a natural consequence of rapid skin changes, often caused by factors like weight fluctuations, growth spurts, or pregnancy. These changes can cause damage to Collagen and Elastin fibres that provide your skin with its elasticity.
While stretch marks are permanent, there are ways to minimise or help reduce their appearance. These include intentionally gradual weight gain or loss, drinking plenty of water, eating a diet rich in essential vitamins, and dedicated skincare that helps to improve skin tone and elasticity or to help even out the complexion.
