How to fight stretch marks?

What are stretch marks?

Upper thighs, breasts, stomach... The famous little welts are common, and getting rid of them is far from simple. A stretch mark is a stripe that appears on the body during growth spurts, weight variations or hormonal changes. The marks start out purplish-red, then turn white over time. In pregnant women, they are most frequently found on the stomach, breasts, hips and thighs.

What causes stretch marks?

Stretch marks are very common, affecting almost 80% of women, and between 50 and 70% of women with their first pregnancy have stretch marks by the end of their pregnancy. Finally, there is a genetic predisposition to the appearance of stretch marks.

Stretch marks are generally associated with weight gain, weight loss or pregnancy. They are partly hormonal in origin. As a result, they are generally finer and more discreet than those revealing disease, and have no impact on health.

Classic" stretch marks are generally hormonal in origin, and can appear during puberty or pregnancy, which are times of intense hormonal change.

During pregnancy, particularly in the second trimester, the quantity of a hormone (cortisol) increases, affecting skin suppleness and elasticity. The higher the cortisol level, the less collagen is produced. As collagen, along with elastic fibers, is responsible for skin suppleness, the skin becomes less elastic and, if stretched by weight gain or pregnancy... stretch marks can form.

Similarly, rapid weight loss causes distension of the skin which, after having been stretched, retains traces in the form of stretch marks when the weight is lost. Athletes are also often prone to stretch marks, due to the high levels of cortisol present in their bodies. Finally, very thin skin is also more prone to stretch marks. Finally, the application of creams containing corticosteroids (or prolonged use of oral corticosteroids) can cause and promote the appearance of stretch marks.

How can stretch marks be reduced or even removed?

Let's be honest: no treatment can completely eradicate a long-established white stretch mark. However, when taken soon after they appear, i.e. in the inflammatory stage, they are easier to treat.

To reduce the appearance of stretch marks and possibly prevent the appearance of new ones, moisturize your body every day with a suitable stretch mark cream to keep it supple, prevent cracking and restore the skin's radiance, such as Whipped Body Butter Indie Lee.

During and after pregnancy, opt for this powerful duo of day cream and night oil to combat stretch marks, Pomegranate & Pumpkin Seed Anti-Stretch Mark Systemfrom Pai Skincare.

Also, let yourself be tempted by a massage that stimulates the production of collagen fibers at one of our institutes near you, or by remembering to regularly perform dry brushing before showering (also excellent for lymphatic drainage or relieving the sensation of heavy legs).

Our anti-stretch mark selection

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Do you have a question about the right body routine? Write to us at contact@ohmycream, our beauty coaches will be delighted to help you. You can also book an appointment via this link link for an online consultation to speak directly with one of our experts and carry out a skin diagnosis.