DOSSIER

  02/04/2021 | Marie Charlotte GERMOND

Stretch marks are a very real aesthetic challenge that many people deal with. No one—neither men nor women—can avoid them!

Stretch marks appear as scars on the body, and are often long and wide. While at first they have a purplish color, the marks progressively fade until they become a pearly white. The parts of the body that are most prone to stretch marks are the stomach, the thighs, the hips and the breasts.

What causes stretch marks? Quite simply and literally, it’s a stretching of the skin! If the skin undergoes a tension that is too abrupt and forceful, a streak appears. This often occurs when people experience sudden weight gain or loss. Pregnant women, for example, are the most frequently affected, with nearly eight out of ten pregnant women developing stretch marks during pregnancy. Stretch marks also often occur during periods of hormonal adjustments, such as adolescence. And yet, men, you aren’t completely immune to stretch marks yourselves: an imbalanced diet and dry skin can cause these marks as well.

Laura Nouchi, Product Manager at Sinclair Pharmaceuticals, explains how stretch marks are formed: “A stretch mark is a hollow dermatological scar. They are created when the skin distends and elastic fibers breakdown in the area where the skin is strained. These scars are characterized by linear depressions. At first they are reddish-violet. And then as time passes, the scars mature into a second stage where they become much whiter and a thus a lot narrower as well.”

It is very important to treat stretch marks as soon as they appear. Once they are set in the skin, stretch marks are unfortunately permanent. In some cases, it’s possible to reduce their appearance, however you can never get rid of them completely. The easiest way to prevent stretch marks is to start moisturizing your skin as early as possible! With special creams and regular massages, you can prevent stretch marks before it’s too late, especially during periods in your life when you are most at risk of developing these marks, such as pregnancy. Other, more abrasive treatments exist, such as skin peeling, laser surgery or microdermabrasion. But be aware that most healthcare providers do not cover these type of cosmetic treatments.

And so, it’s understood that it’s better for both men and women to try and prevent stretch marks from forming rather than treating them once they’re already there. Make sure to hydrate regularly, because healthy skin is more flexible and supple and will thus better withstand any stretching or tension.

  Marie Charlotte GERMOND

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