Stretch Marks and Your Health

Stretch marks  are a skin problem that result from  extreme expansion and contraction of the skin followed by  weight loss or weight gain. Healthy living which includes diet and exercise will give your  skin the  best chance of healing. When the skin is stretched from these conditions or from pregnancy, the epidermis and dermis are injured.  This injury translates as the production of  striations on the surface that can be quite visual as well as textural.  Weight management can at times be difficult. Stress in your life may lead you to binge eating followed by extreme dieting. These volume changes may produce the striations of stretch marks. Incorporating healthy foods on a daily basis, getting enough rest and always incorporating some form of exercise in your routine will keep your skin in the best shape to rebound from the stretch marks. Proper use of sun screen and moisturizers will help in recovery as well. The injury of stretch marks is a dermal phenomena. The fibroblasts which are collagen and elastin producing cells  are in the dermis. A healthy body will translate to a healthy dermis enabling the fibroblasts to produce these proteins which give the skin elasticity and plumpness. When patients abuse their body with poor diet , smoking, and alcohol, the repair of the striations is compromised. At your consultation, tell your doctor if you are having difficulty managing your weight. Often there is a solution that will help you get over that obstacle. With any customized treatment plan, your dietary concerns will be addressed. Studies show that a combination of diet , exercise and direct treatment of the unsightly stretch marks have better results to achieving your goal of faded striae. 

 

Medical conditions may be the reason you develop stretch marks. If you have not experienced weight loss or gain and have developed stretch marks, you should tell your doctor. Certain endocrine conditions can result in stretch marks. These metabolic imbalances result in production of hormones that an cause striations. One disease is Cushing’s Syndrome.  Cushing’s Syndrome effects both men and women and is the result of one production of cortisol, a naturally occurring hormone produced by the adrenal gland. When cortisol production is in excess of the normal range, some clinical signs as it relates to stretch marks are pink or purple striae on the belly, thighs, areas and bust. the skin is thinned by this disease and injury results in slow healing. 

 

Extended use of prednisone can cause an excessive amount of cortisol. People using prednisone for asthma or autoimmune diseases such as lupus can produce Cushing’s Syndrome and develop stretch marks on their abdomen, arms and thighs. Often these stretch marks have multiple colors which makes them harder to treat. Working with the physician to assess whether or not Cushing’s Syndrome is the reason you have stretch marks is just the first step in devising a  customized treatment  plan for you to help you fade your stretch marks. Find a physician near you  and get started on the path of stretch mark free living.