Combatting stretch marks

Developing when the skin stretches or shrinks abruptly, stretch marks are a type of scar so common that most people will have them.

Such a quick change causes the collagen and elastin within the skin to rupture, causing stretch marks to appear when the skin starts to heal. According to multiple studies, around 80% of adults will experience stretch marks and one-third of women will lose confidence as a result. Embarrassment and self-consciousness are the top feelings associated with stretch marks, and the negative stigma associated with them doesn’t help.

From pregnancy, weight loss or gain, hormonal changes, and rapid muscle growth, we are often unconscious of when stretch marks begin to appear. It can make a frustrating realisation, and a fleeting vow to whip out the Bio-Oil.

However, many products, from moisturisers to serums, have been tried and tested, and scientists still can’t pinpoint one specific solution.

Each treatment is different, as is the skin it targets. If you find yourself purchasing many products with no results, it may be best to look into other options. Experienced dermatologists offer procedures such as chemical peels, laser therapy, and microdermabrasion to reduce the noticeability of stretch marks.

The best advice is to embrace them. They are natural, showing the journeys we navigate and the ways our bodies change. At the very least, they are nothing to be ashamed of.