How Men Can Eliminate Stretch Marks

Stretch marks, which are also known as the ‘striae’ in medical terminology, are reddish or whitish colored lines which develop on our skin. Skin has three layers. Stretch marks are formed in the dermis, which is the middle layer of skin. Skin is an elastic organ which, when it is stretched beyond its limit, loses its elasticity and overgrowth of skin occurs. This leads to the formation of stretch marks. Men are mostly affected by stretch marks when they work out excessively and build up bulky muscles very rapidly. Other causes for development of such marks in men can be abrupt weight gain, growth spurts in the case of teenagers or even rapid weight loss. Stretch marks once formed cannot be removed entirely but you can improve their appearance by using certain remedies. Methods for getting rid of stretch marks are same in the case of both men and women.

Step 1

Work out smartly! You should make alterations in your exercise regimen. Instead of lifting heavier weights, try lighter ones and increase the number of repetitions. Your aim should be to strengthen your muscle, not just increasing their size.

Step 2

Eat wisely! Maintain a balanced and healthy diet. Make sure your fat intake is not excessive because gaining fat and muscles together can cause the stretch marks. Eat lots of fruits, vegetables especially of green leafy variety, grains and lean meat etc. Avoid fried food or foods that contain excessive sugars.

Step 3

If you do develop stretch marks, you can consult a doctor and have him prescribe you a tretinoin cream. It contains retinoic acid which restores elastin and collagen in the skin. You should keep it in mind that this cream is only effective for stretch marks no older than six weeks. Such stretch marks are generally reddish or purplish in color.

Step 4

If your stretchmarks are older i.e. silvery or white in color, then you can try excimer laser therapy. This procedure uses a laser beam to stimulate production of a skin pigment called melanin. This helps in restoring color of the stretched area so that it will match the skin color of the unaffected skin.

Step 5
Another laser therapy involves use of pulsed-dye laser which stimulates elastin and collagen. This procedure sets off regeneration of normal skin structure thus, leading to the disappearance of stretch marks.

Step 6
A more invasive option is microdermabrasion. In this procedure, silicon dioxide crystals are used to cut off excessive skin in a stretch mark. Next step is suctioning of all of this debris and dead skin cells. By removing damaged skin cells, fresh skin growth is stimulated and its elasticity is improved.

Step 7

If you like organic methods you can try using natural home remedies like using coconut oil or castor oil. You can also try using Aloe vera gel. These natural methods are very inexpensive and using them can save you a lot of money.

Step 8

Always keep your skin moisturized with a good moisturizer. You can also use homemade moisturizers like honey and cream etc. for this purpose.

Precautions

Before trying any of these treatments, always consult your physician.

How to Conceal Stretch Marks On Dark Skin

Stretch marks are a wide spread problem which affects both Caucasian and African American population equally. Stretchmarks are unavoidable during pregnancy. In the case of African Americans, when their skin is over stretched they develop purple or dark brown colored striations, which are prominent on their dark skin. A lot of articles talk about methods such as concealer and makeup for hiding stretch marks which are designed for Caucasians. When trying to hide the stretch marks, it is important to find the perfect shade and brand for the skin. So here are some ways for African Americans to cover up their stretch marks.

Step 1

Find a department store that is offering makeup samples for free. Now try these shades to find which color suits you the most. Keep it in mind that the skin of your belly may have a skin tone darker or lighter compared to the skin of your face. Describe to the assistant at the cosmetic counter that you would like to look for a concealer which is a bit lighter than the color of your stomach, if you are ashamed to ask. They would only need to match the skin above your hip bone to find the shade required.

Step 2

Use your middle finger when applying makeup. Your hand is heavier when you are using an index finger and you tend to apply concealer in thicker layer.

But it is better to apply several, lighter layers rather than a single thick one. Your goal is to apply the concealer in such a way that it give your skin a slicker look. Stretchmarks are dark in color compared to the surrounding skin so using a lighter shade of concealer is a wise choice.

Step 3

Take a clean sponge and pour a little bit of dark foundation onto it. Now using this sponge, pat the foundation over the concealed area and two inches of area adjacent to it for a more real look. Make sure your foundation matches your skin tone more closely, compared to your concealer, so that it blends well with the skin.

Step 4

Apply some loose powder over your make up to let it set and imitate your skin’s true texture. Sephora, Cover Girl and M.A.C. have specially made makeup lines for African Americans. Therefore you can easily find a translucent or loose powder in a darker shade to match it to your skin tone.

Step 5

If you are looking for a more permanent and reliable cure, you can try reconstructive tattooing or permanent makeup. Ointments and creams will never do away with the stretch marks completely since the connective tissue of skin has been damaged. So you can try permanent makeup to cover up your stretch marks in your precise skin tone. Consult an aesthetician to find out more about permanent makeup.

Warnings

When you are wearing makeup on your stretchmarks, refrain from bathing. Also avoid rubbing and excessive sweating. Always carry your makeup in a small bag with you to be ready for speedy touch ups whenever needed.

Home Remedies to Reduce Stretch Marks

Stretch marks are the ugly looking, whitish lines which appear on our certain body parts like arms, thighs, abdomen, breasts etc. Either weight loss or weight gain can trigger them. Most commonly pregnant women develop stretch marks but men can also develop them. With puberty teenagers can also develop these marks. This is because of the the sudden growth spurt which is associated with changes in hormone levels. These marks are permanent and cannot be entirely removed. But you can use certain tricks at home to lighten them.

Lemon juice
Lemon contains citric acid which bleaches your skin naturally. That is why lemon is very effective to reduce stretch marks.

• Cut a fresh lemon and squeeze its juice out.
• Apply it to the skin affected by stretch marks.
• Leave it on. After ten minutes, wash off with tepid water.
• Repeat this a couple of times every day for good results.

Vegetable oil massages
In Indian tradition, new mothers are given bath with natural oils for a few months after childbirth.

Oils like castor oil and coconut oil are used to massage whole body including scalp then a hot water bath is taken. This ancient technique is used by health spas and beauty centers. Vegetable oils like olive oil, coconut oil and castor oil are so effective because they have moisturizing abilities which help smoothen wrinkled skin thus removing stretch marks.

• Before bedtime, take some olive oil, warm it a bit and rub it deeply over the affected area or whole body. You can also use a mixture of coconut oil and olive oil.
• The following day wash it off with some warm water. A light soap can also be used if needed.
• The most effective way to use castor oil is to warm it slightly before application on skin. Then cover that oiled area with a piece of cloth dunked in warm water or a sheet of plastic.
• Hot water bottle can be used over oiled areas to increase its effectiveness. This is because warmth opens up pores in our skin and let it absorb oil faster.

Egg white
Egg white contains lots of protein which are helpful in decreasing stretch marks.

• Crack two eggs open, separate yolks form the whites.
• Whip up the whites gently.
• Apply thick layer of this egg pack on the stretch marks.
• Let it dry, then rinse it off with some water and moisturize that area with olive oil.

Moisturizer
By maintaining the skin elasticity, stretch marks can be reduced. To keep skin elastic and fresh, it must be kept hydrated by using a proper moisturizer regularly.
You can use moisturizers available commercially which contain cocoa butter and Aloe vera. Alternatively you can make home-made moisturizer by blending equal parts of olive oil and Aloe vera.

Vitamin E Pure Oil
After prolonged period, reducing stretch-marks gets difficult. In such case you can massage Vitamin E pure oil onto the affected area regularly.

Aloe vera
When skin loses its elasticity, it leads to the formation of stretch marks. With its healing properties, Aloe vera helps improves skin elasticity.

• Cut an Aloe vera leaf, peel it, and force out the juicy gel.
• Massage it over affected area.
• Vitamin E pure oil can also be used with it.

Commercial market is full of products which make bogus promises of curing stretch marks completely. But it is impossible! You can only lighten them to improve your appearance. While you can use simple home remedies for this, what is the point of wasting your money on phony products. Use these simple tricks and eat lots of veggies especially greens to lessen your stretchmarks.

Home Remedies for Prevention of Stretch Marks

The products available commercially in the form of creams and ointments for the treatment of stretch marks can be obtained easily from any drug store at cheap rates. These fancy products make huge claims of getting rid of stretch marks completely but none of the scientific researches support these phony claims. That is the reason why people are more inclined to use home remedies for the treatment of stretch marks. Home remedies are not just natural and cheap but also very effective for the treatment of stretch marks. In addition to that, these remedies are also beneficial for our general well-being.

Water and Stretch Marks

Skin is an elastic organ and when it loses its elasticity stretchmarks are formed. You can improve elasticity of the skin by consuming large amount of water. Especially when you are pregnant or going through the rapid growth phase such as puberty or if you are gaining weight abruptly, then drink lots of water. Pregnant women should also continue drinking adequate amount of water in their post-partum period. You should be drinking at least eight to ten glasses of water per day.

Supplements

A lot of nutrients play a vital role in keeping the elasticity of skin intact. These nutrients are vitamin A, vitamin C , vitamin E, omega 3’s, silica and zinc etc. These nutrients enable our body to produce proteins like elastin and collagen which keep our skin healthy and radiant. Leafy green vegetables, liver, dairy products and tomatoes are abundant in vitamin C and vitamin K. Zinc and vitamin E can be obtained from nuts, seeds, papaya and avocado etc.

Make sure you keep your body fueled with these supplements to reduce stretch marks from your skin. You should also be eating adequate amount of protein daily.

Stretch When You Exercise

To prevent and diminish the stretch marks, you need to keep a healthy life style. You must exercise on a regular basis. Don’t forget to stretch before and after your workout. You can add exercises like flexibility and strength training to your work out regime. For example, you can try Pilates for the flexibility training. These exercise will not only help to tone your muscles but also tighten your skin up.

Scrub Your Stretch Marks Away

Exfoliation is crucial to keep your skin healthy and glowing. Especially when your skin is shrinking or stretching as in the case of stretch marks. Whenever, you take a bath use a loofah or a piece of cloth for exfoliation. Moisturize your skin with a soap and scrub the areas, that are prone to stretch marks, gently. You can make a homemade body scrub from granulated sugar. Try to avoid salt scrubs because they dry the skin out, thus worsening the problem even more.

D.I.Y. Oils for Stretch Marks

Essential oils are great for lightening stretch marks. Mix a quarter cup of Aloe vera gel, half cup of olive oil, two vitamin A capsules and four vitamin E capsules and blend it with the help of a blender. Now, apply this mixture directly on your stretch marks to lighten them. You can also add chamomile, avocado oil or lavender. Use it twice daily and keep it in the fridge in a container that is air tight.

Leading Causes of Stretch Marks

At some point in our lives, most of us are prone to develop stretch marks. Stomach, buttocks, thighs and arms are the most affected parts of our bodies. Stretch marks are basically purplish white or brownish-white striations. These marks disfigure our appearance permanently, because once formed, it is impossible to eliminate them. So one is left with only one option: to hide them! No amount of make-up can bring back that flawless look once these stretch marks turn up on your skin. But there are various ways to prevent this from happening in the first place. For this, you should be aware of the leading causes of these revolting marks.

Pregnancy
In the case of women, pregnancy is the biggest cause of stretch marks. Pregnant women dread these marks because they are disgusting to look at. The worst thing is that these marks persist even when the maternity is over.

These are formed because as the abdomen is stretched during pregnancy, the stretched skin is not adequately hydrated and loses its moisture, which leads to the formation of such marks. This can be avoided by applying a moisturizer on the stretched skin during pregnancy.

Sudden weight gain
Sudden weight gain can give rise to the emergence of these marks as well. It is because when we gain weight rapidly, our adrenal glands secrete increased amount of cortisol hormone which brings about the formation of these marks. You can avoid this by gaining weight slowly and using a suitable moisturizer.

Rapid weight loss
It might seem unbelievable but losing weight rapidly can also produce stretch marks. Because this abrupt change affects our skin which responds by forming abnormal skin banding. Therefore even if you lose weight, you should do so carefully and at an appropriate speed. Otherwise you would not be capable of showing off you abs after all of that hard work.

Excessive use of steroidal creams
Stretch marks can also be caused by steroidal creams when they are used excessively. These creams are full of steroids which aggravate our skin and result in the appearance of these ugly lines.

Even if you have to use such creams, you can limit the damage by using a good moisturizer.

Medical Disorders
On certain occasions you are doing nothing wrong but there is something flawed with your body functions which leads to hormone imbalance.

One of such example is Cushing’s syndrome. In this disease, excess cortisol is released which can result in stretch marks especially if the change occurs at a brisk rate.

Hereditary
Sometimes none of the above stated factors seems to be the culprit. In such cases, the cause is mostly some kind of hereditary ailment like connective tissue disorder etc. Ehlers-Danlos syndrome and Marfan syndrome are examples of such disorders.

As stated before, stretch marks are permanent but you can use certain tips and tricks at home or try certain cosmetic medications to lighten them. Best time to do so is when these marks are still reddish white or pinkish white in color. Because once they turn into white striae, it is too late and it gets hard to cure them.

How to Treat Stretch Marks Caused by Exercise

Pregnancy and rapid weight gain are the most common causes of stretch marks but they are also induced by heavy exercise which can lead to abrupt increase in muscle bulk. Our skin is a very elastic organ and therefore it can stretch but there is a limit to it, beyond which it loses its elasticity and the stretch marks are formed. The body parts prone to the stretch marks, caused by intense exercise, are thighs, arms, chest and back. In the case of stretch marks, preventing their formation is the ideal approach. But if you were working out too enthusiastically and developed the stretchmarks, then there are a number of tricks you can try.

Trick # 1

Adopting a healthy lifestyle is the most important step in preventing stretch marks. Maintain a balanced and healthy diet. Your diet should contain foods like cereals, meat, fruits and vegetables. Especially include fruits rich in nutrients like vitamin C in your diet e.g. lemon, oranges, lime etc. Vitamin C repairs damaged collagen thus restoring vitality of the stretched skin.

Trick # 2

If you are trying to develop bulky and huge muscles and you are working out excessively to achieve them, you might tend to lift heavy weights. This can put too much stress on your skin leading to the formation of stretch marks.

You can avoid this by lifting lighter weights while increasing the number of repetitions. You can move on to heavier weights gradually as your skin gets used to the increased stress.

Trick # 3

If you have already developed stretch marks due to exercising you should visit a dermatologist promptly and get a tretinoin cream prescription. Apply it over you stretch marks everyday regularly. This will help you limit damage by reducing redness and augmenting collagen production in the stretched area.

Trick # 4

If you are looking for a more aggressive approach, you can try laser therapy. The pulse-dye laser therapy uses pulsed laser to stimulate collagen and elastin in the deeper skin layers. There is another laser therapy which increases the production of a skin pigment called melanin, which leads to change in color and look of the stretch marks. In both of these therapies, several treatment sessions will be required before desired results are obtained.

Trick # 5

Newly formed stretchmarks are reddish in color but they fade off gradually to colors like white or silver and get less recognizable if the person has fair color. But on exposure to the sunlight, they can turn darker. So, try avoiding exposure to the UV light and use a sun block, especially if you have a fair skin color.

Warnings

Before starting any kind of treatment for the stretch marks, always consult a doctor. If you develop stretch marks without any apparent cause like exercise, weight gain or pregnancy etc., consult a physician instantly. Because there is a possibility of certain medical disorders associated with the stretch marks like Cushing’s syndrome, Marfan syndrome or Ehler-Danlos syndrome etc.

By using these simple tips and tricks, you can avoid the stretch marks induced by work out successfully and keep a healthy body and a beautiful skin.

Reduce Stretch Marks and Scars with Oils

Scars can be formed by a number of causative factors like acne, burns and cuts etc. It may sound unbelievable but the stretchmarks are also a kind of scar tissue. Pregnancy is the leading cause of the stretch marks in women. These striation scan also be formed by rapid weight gain and the growth spurts in teenagers. No matter what is the underlying cause, the scar tissue is permanent and cannot be easily removed. Although certain natural oils can be used to lighten them.

Coconut Oil

Coconut oil is rich in fatty acids which makes it great for the treatment of many skin disorders. It is especially useful for the post-pregnancy stretch marks. Use coconut oil three times a day for good results.

Neroli Oil

Neroli oil is obtained from orange tree. This method was discovered in Italy, years ago. Research has shown that upon application of the neroli oil, skin cells start regenerating which can help in reducing scars like the stretch marks.

Some people can be allergic to oils and can get rash on using them. But the neroli oil is safe for all skin types even for the most sensitive skins. It is also safe in pregnancy, so pregnant women can start using it as a preventive measure even before the stretch marks are formed.

Mandarin Oil

Chinese used mandarin oil in traditional medicine thousands of years ago. And it is still used by modern aroma therapists for the management of scars and stretch marks. Mandarin oil is derived from a fruit commonly known as tangerine. Although Mandarin oil is a citrus oil but, unlike other citrus oils, when it is applied on skin it will not make it susceptible to sunburn. This oil is also safe for use in pregnancy.

Lavender Oil

Aroma therapists use lavender widely for the treatment of problems ranging from the skin disorders like stretchmarks and psoriasis to the problems like indigestion and respiratory issues.

Lavender oil has the most wide-ranging qualities compared to any other essential oil. People residing in Mediterranean region have been using this oil for umpteen years.

Experts believe that lavender oil restores skin’s vitality, therefore it helps in the reduction of stretch marks or any other kind of scars.

Mixtures of Oils

As stated before, natural oils can help in reducing the scars and the stretch marks but if you blend various oils together it can work wonders. Combining different oil has an additive effect and it increases their effectiveness considerably. While making a mixture, beware of using appropriate proportions of various oils. You can make mixtures like following:

• Add one drop of the lavender oil.
• Add one drop of the mandarin oil.
• Add one drop of the neroli oil.
• Add 2mm of the wheat gram oil.
• Blend this mixture well and apply it over the scarred skin.

You can also make mixtures which contain a blend of chamomile oil, neroli or sweet orange oil, grape seed oil and wheat germ oil. You can also add vitamin E oil to your blend of oils. These oils or mixtures of oils should be used on a regular basis especially if you are a pregnant mom.