13 Best Stretch Mark Cream 2023: Bio-Oil, Hatch, Burt's Bees & More
glamour.comand are setting an example by talking openly about them and ,This shift in dialogue is refreshing in part because stretch marks are just another example of how skin can change over time. “Stretch marks, or striae, are a type of scar created when the skin stretches or shrinks too quickly,” says , a dermatologist in Westport, CT. “The change to the skin causes the collagen and elastin, the support system in our skin, to rupture—and as the skin heals, stretch marks may appear.”Stretch-mark prevention is tricky, though—and they're more common among women who can have a genetic component, meaning you might just be prone to them.
And they can form any time skin stretches. “They occur most commonly during periods of rapid growth, such as puberty, pregnancy, rapid weight gain, or even intense weight lifting,” says , a dermatologist at Idriss Dermatology in New York City.
Even temporary weight fluctuations can cause them.Unlike, say, , most stretch marks will fade somewhat over time, going from a deep purple to a silvery-white shade that may or may not bother you. (Although they won’t completely disappear on their own.) But some topical formulas can help speed up the process.
Dr. Robinson is a fan of those with key ingredients to promote wound healing, which can help with newly formed stretch marks; these include silicone and dimethicone, which create a barrier (of sorts) over the mark and help skin retain hydration.
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