Stretch marks can appear on any part of the body for a number of different reasons. They occur due to damage to the dermis, the middle layer of skin, and the breakdown of elastin. This breakdown creates microscopic bleeding along with tissue inflammation which gives stretch marks their raised reddish-purple look. These unsightly marks are never welcomed and many men and women struggle to find information and treatment options to diminish their appearance. We can offer accurate and current information to help you better understand stretch marks as well as provide information that may help you to remove stretch marks naturally.

What are Stretch Marks?

When both the dermis and epidermis are stretched, the top layer of skin becomes so thin and transparent that it exposes the underlying rupturing of blood vessels. When the initial redness fades, it is replaced by white scar tissue that remains a few shades lighter than your normal skin color. This lighter skin tone can also be attributed to the damage done to collagen production during the overstretching of the skin. Extended periods of time marked by this destructive process can cause damage and loss of skin pigment producing cells.

Scientists have recently linked stretch mark development to a group of steroids known as glucocorticoids, the most common and well known being cortisol. Higher stress leads to higher cortisol levels and consequently weight gain. Pregnancy, adolescent growth spurts, weightlifting as well as every day work and life stress are common factors of body stress levels. Body stress levels can also be influenced by improper nutrition, excessive caffeine intake and smoking. When your body feels additional stress, it tends to store fat more easily as well as faster than its normal rate which is what leads to quick weight gain. This quick weight gain is what can cause the stretching of the dermis.

Stretch Mark Myths

Stretch marks are the subject of many common myths. We are going to look at the top ten in order to set the record straight!

1. Only pregnant women get stretch marks. It is true that pregnant women often suffer from stretch marks, up to 90 percent, but by no means are they the only type of people who experience them. Stretch marks will develop on anyone who experiences body stress or rapid weight gain.

2. Only women get stretch marks. All types and ages of people are susceptible to stretch marks. Men and adolescents who weight lift, gain weight or experience rapid growth are all susceptible to growth spurts.

3. Stretch marks go away once you lose the weight. Stretch marks tend to somewhat diminish when weight drops, however, they tend to last for a significant amount of time. Skin that has thinned and stretched needs to restore and heal its elastin and collagen which takes time and is not a simple process.

4. You can't prevent stretch marks. There are a variety of possible treatment that help prevent stretch marks. It helps to maintain a healthy state by making sure you have a healthy diet and complete nutrition. There are also a variety of organic stretch mark creams and preventative treatments that can help especially during pregnancy.

5. Only plastic surgery can treat stretch marks. There are a variety of treatment options in stretch mark removal that don't include plastic surgery. Chemical peels, laser therapy, as well as new and effective natural stretch mark products can help you lose stretch marks.

6. Once you get stretch marks you will have them for life. You will always have options, including in the treatment of your stretch marks. You have the choices to cover, remove, or treat your stretch marks. Many advances in technology and natural skin care have provided us with a greater number of options for dealing with these unsightly marks.

7. Stretch marks are expensive to treat. Yes, some plastic surgery procedures or laser therapies can be considerably costly, however there are other choices you can make to treat your stretch marks. Chemical peels tend to be fairly reasonably priced procedures, yet the lowest cost and most effective of the treatments are natural skin care treatment creams.

8. Stretch marks aren't worth the time to treat. This is definitely a myth because even a slight reduction in the appearance of stretch marks can be worth the time and effort to treat them. Treatment requires discipline and patience, but any improvement I think you will agree is worth the investment of time.

9. Teenagers and young children don't get stretch marks. It is actually very common, especially for teenagers, to develop stretch marks. Stretch marks are a side effect of growth spurts, puberty, and/or the development of breasts. Luckily, because they are still growing and maturing, stretch marks that children and teenagers experience tend to fade and heal quickly.

10. Insurance will pay for stretch mark treatments and procedures. It's too bad this isn't true. Stretch mark removal procedures are usually considered purely aesthetic and therefore not covered by insurance.

Natural Stretch Marks Cream

Therefore, many people are susceptible to stretch marks, they are able to be prevented, and the treatment is not covered by insurance. It sounds like you should probably do what you can to prevent and treat existing stretch marks and there are great natural ways to do so. Helix Aspersa Muller secretions, a biological ingredient extracted from a common mollusk have proven to be very effective in treating stretch marks in the form of a stretch marks cream. It can rid stretch marks by avoiding soft tissue harm due to outer layer damage and inflammation. This natural serum strengthens skin and improves its elasticity. This incredible ingredient can offer you simple and natural stretch marks treatment for beautifully smooth skin.