Stretch marks or stria gravidarum is a phenomenon that all of us encounter. As we grow older, the skin naturally stretches but there are cases when the skin overstretches. When this happens, the overstretching leads to the formation of these scars. The skin is unable to cope up with this and tears the dermis.

You may notice that these marks appear silvery white. This is an indication that scarring has already occurred. If these marks are still fresh, these appear reddish before the color eventually fades. The affected area when these appear is actually the dermal layer of the skin. This is where the collagen is made that contributes to skin elasticity. If damaged, it is unable to retain elasticity of the skin.

Causes of stretch marks may vary from person to person. Puberty causes most of us to gain weight due to the hormonal changes in the body. If the skin is unable to follow with this increase in weight, that is when the skin begins to tear and form scars. Other causes may be due to sudden increase in muscle mass and even pregnancy. As long as the body has sudden gain, it will most likely lead to stretch marks.

Probably the best way to solve this is by preventing it to happen in the first place. Though naturally, the skin stretches, it is your responsibility to maintain skin elasticity. Especially when growing up, your skin loses elasticity which makes it more prone to scarring. Make sure that you know what will prevent the scars from appearing.

Still the most effective treatment is laser. Most people really rely on this even if it may cost money. Laser effectively vaporizes the skin cells completely removing the damage. Though effective, it may require a couple of sessions before it takes effect. If you really want the effective solution, this is highly recommended.

One prescribed treatment for this is retinol A. For stretch marks that are reddish or pinkish, retinol is very effective. It renews the skin, preventing permanent scarring. As soon as you see stretch marks, you should already start using this. Take note that if you apply retinol on white marks, it may not be as effective.

Vitamin E is highly recommended to remove these stretch marks. This improves the skin condition to make the skin firmer and supple. Even if the skin overstretches, it makes the stretch marks less obvious. There are topical vitamin E creams or capsules that you can ingest. No matter which you choose, just ensure that you get your daily dose of these vitamins.

Don't be too threatened of these forming on the skin. With so many ways to prevent these, there is nothing that you need to worry about. Just make sure that you have the right treatments. With the constant treatment of these, you will notice that your skin will begin to improve. In time, you will only get smoother and more beautiful skin.