Will stretch marks go away if I lose weight?
Stretch marks typically occur as a result of the rapid stretching of the skin which causes tearing of the inner layers of the skin. Though there could be many underlying causes, they are typically caused by rapid weight gain – when your skin stretches – causing tears in its inner layers.
Stretch marks are usually colored purple, pink, blue, and black. They can also look like red streaks on your skin. With time, stretch marks usually fade to white, or are depressed altogether. If you have had stretch marks for a while, they may transform into scars.
What are stretch marks?
Stretch marks, also referred to as striae or striae distensae, are scars that appear on your skin when it is stretched too far. Stretch marks are usually found on the belly, thighs, and buttocks but can occur anywhere on the body.
How do stretch marks appear?
Striae develop when a person grows larger more quickly than their skin can adjust to the change in size. This may happen if you have sudden weight gain or rapid growth during puberty (especially for young girls), pregnancy, or other hormonal changes such as weight loss from steroid therapy.
They can also be caused by changes in body fat such as after bariatric surgery (weight loss surgery) where there is significant stretching of the skin due to excess tissue being removed by surgery.
A study, researching the cause of the stretch marks, showed that they are caused by the denegation of elastic fibers called elastin and fibrillin. Because of the lack of elasticity, the skin loses its elasticity and its vascular function is affected, thereby, resulting in stretch marks.
Let’s explore some of the other causes of stretch marks and how they are triggered.
Pregnancy
If your growing belly stretches the skin below it, you’ll get stretch marks on your abdomen and stomach.
Hormonal changes
Hormonal changes such as those associated with puberty, perimenopause, or menopause might make your skin more elastic, which could cause you to develop stretch marks over the next few years as those hormones shift again.
Age-related thinning of the skin (sagging)
As we age our bodies change—including in how much we weigh and where we put that weight—and this affects how much stress is placed on our skin when we move around throughout each day!
How can I get rid of stretch marks?
If you are looking to get rid of stretch marks, here are a few options to consider.
Use a Moisturizer
You can use any moisturizer for this, but below is a list of creams that are specifically designed to reduce the appearance of stretch marks.
Retinol creams
Retinol is vitamin A, which may help your skin retain its elasticity so that it’s less likely to break down and form stretch marks.
Use Topical Vitamin E
Vitamin E is an antioxidant that protects against damage from UV light and other sources. It can help strengthen skin and reduce the visibility of stretch marks by smoothing out rough patches or scars on your body.
Use Cocoa butter massage creams
Cocoa butter contains fatty acids (like stearic acid) that make it good at repairing damaged skin cells and reducing inflammation caused by stretch marks’ redness and itchiness—it also acts as an emollient because it helps retain water in the epidermis more effectively than other oils do.
Weight loss and stretch marks: The correlation
Losing weight can help lessen the outlook of stretch marks, but it won’t make them go away. If you want to minimize the appearance of your stretch marks, here are some tips:
- Get in good cardiovascular shape. Exercise burns fat and builds muscle, which will tighten up loose skin and improve the way your body looks overall. It can also help you manage or lose weight if you’re exercising consistently.
- Exfoliate with loofah gloves or brushes that have soft bristles. This removes dead skin cells from the surface of your skin so that new ones show through brighter and smoother-looking than before!
Conclusion
We’ve established that losing weight will not make stretch marks go away, but it can help prevent them from happening in the future. If you are concerned about your skin and have a history of stretch marks or other health issues, it’s best to consult with your doctor.
As much fun as these home remedies may be to try on a lazy Sunday afternoon, remember that beauty products aren’t regulated like medications or supplements and therefore don’t have to meet safety standards set by the FDA. So just because something is marketed as “natural” doesn’t mean it does not have any side effects.
It is best advised to consult with a licensed physician or a skin specialist for the best results.
