Stretch-Mark Solutions

Stretch
marks are hard to prevent and even harder to get rid of, but that
doesn't mean you have to simply accept them. Eliot Baille, M.D., a
cosmetic dermatologist and co-founder of Culture Cosmetic Medical Spa
in Washington, D.C., explains what you can do to minimize their
appearance.

The basic facts

The skin is made up of three layers: The epidermis (outer
layer), the dermis (middle layer) and the subcutaneous stratum
(innermost layer). Collagen and elastin fibers, both part of the skin's
connective tissue, weave through the dermis, providing skin with
flexibility and firmness. A stretch mark occurs in the dermis when skin
expands faster than the elastin fibers can handle: The connective
tissue pulls apart, leading to tiny tears that manifest themselves as
marks on the surface of the skin.

What to look for

The reasons stretch marks appear:

• Sudden weight gain or loss can weaken skin's elasticity.
• Higher levels of estrogen and progesterone circulate
  throughout the bloodstream while you're pregnant or on birth-control
  pills. These hormones are thought to slow down collagen and elastin
  formation, leaving skin less resilient and more apt to tear.
• Poor health habits, such as eating a diet lacking in
  vitamin A and protein (which aid in the production of healthy skin
  cells) as well as smoking, can diminish the skin's elasticity.

Simple solutions

To help prevent and mask marks:

• Keep your skin hydrated with oils and lotions containing
  ingredients like vitamin E and shea butter so skin stays supple,
  maintains its spring, and won't dry out.
• Slather on self-tanner to camouflage problem areas, or dab
  on a water-resistant concealer that matches your skin tone. Try Cover
  FX Total Coverage Cream Foundation with SPF 30 ($37; nordstrom.com),
  available in 40 shades.
• Moisturize daily to keep skin soft and stretch mark-tree

Expert strategy

For longer-lasting fixes, see a dermatologist or plastic
surgeon, who may recommend a prescription cream, such as Retin-A, or
more involved procedures like laser treatments and dermabrasion.

The bottom line is this: "As of now there aren't any
guaranteed permanent cures for stretch marks," says Eliot Battle, M.D.
However, act quickly if they do appear, as doctors claim the best
results are achieved on recently acquired stretch marks (those that are
no more than four months old, still have a pinkish hue and are raised).

Source: Shape. Provided by
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