Yulia Prokopenko, leading technologist-expert
educational
Expert opinion
Stretch marks, or stretch marks, are a cosmetic defect of the skin in the form of narrow wavy stripes. 80% of women have stretch marks. They appear on the chest, hips, buttocks - in those places where the skin stretches the most. Striae do not pose any health hazard, but can bother a woman with an unaesthetic appearance. You can get rid of stretch marks using an integrated approach.
Yulia Prokopenko, leading technologist-expert
educational
What causes stretch marks on the body
Striae are scar-like tissue that forms due to insufficient elasticity of the skin. Stretch marks can form either due to physiological changes in the body or be a consequence of various disorders or diseases. People suffering from hormonal imbalance and problems with the thyroid gland are predisposed to the appearance of stretch marks. The hereditary factor is also of great importance.
The most common causes of stretch marks include:
- pregnancy;
- lactation;
- sudden weight gain or loss;
- intense exercise and rapid increase in muscle mass;
- growth spurts during adolescence;
- hormonal imbalance;
- regular use of drugs containing corticosteroids.
During pregnancy, stretch marks appear on the stomach and chest. When you gain weight, they are localized in places where fat accumulates - thighs, buttocks. Athletes often experience stretch marks in the shoulder girdle.
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Raspberry Cream Scrub, 300 ml
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Correction of stretch marks
Stretch marks after childbirth
But after giving birth, the problem of stretch marks will not end; it will remain relevant until the end of the lactation period, especially if you did not take any preventive measures during pregnancy (special tightening underwear, oils, creams, etc.).
Unfortunately, after childbirth, the skin will not return to its original position; it will need time to recover. A means to completely get rid of stretch marks has not yet been invented, but there are many ways to make them almost invisible.
Women are especially concerned about stretch marks on their breasts, which arise due to their natural increase during pregnancy and with the onset of breastfeeding.
The fact is that the skin in this area is very delicate, and changes in its size are especially significant, so there are often many stretch marks and they are pronounced. Moreover, they will become even more noticeable after the end of the lactation period and the breasts return to their normal size.
>> Maintain your figure during pregnancy correctly - read expert advice
The formation of stretch marks is caused by insufficient production of collagen and elastin - substances responsible for the elasticity of the epidermis. Therefore, when the skin is overstretched, the reticular layer of the dermis is torn along with the vessels, collagen and elastin fibers, and narrow stripes are formed on the body.
Striae are not a disease. Scars do not impair the quality of life, but they can negatively affect the emotional state, reducing self-confidence. That is why many strive to reduce their appearance and restore smoothness to the skin.
How stretch marks appear
The formation of striae goes through several stages. At each stage, stretching has its own characteristics.
- After the elastic cover ruptures, connective tissue is formed, penetrated by blood vessels. Striae have a purple or red tint.
- Over time, stretch marks lighten and turn pink.
- Old scars completely lose their pigment and the color of the stretch marks becomes white.
Of course, it is easier to deal with “young” stretch marks and you need to take action immediately after they appear. If stretch marks have formed for a long time, it is quite difficult to completely get rid of them.
It is impossible to get rid of stretch marks forever and restore ideal smoothness to the skin even with the help of hardware cosmetic procedures. But you can make stretch marks less noticeable at home. To do this, you need to choose the right tools and effective procedures.
Home care for preventive purposes is especially important. For example, if a woman knows about her predisposition to stretch marks, and she is planning a pregnancy or has already become pregnant, she should devote all her efforts to caring for her body skin. This will help keep the skin intact even with not very successful heredity and avoid the appearance of stretch marks after pregnancy.
What do white spots on nails mean?
08.08.2018
Many people have at least once noticed white spots or stripes on their nails - these are leukonychia. This cosmetic problem is quite unpleasant, since it becomes necessary to hide stains under bright varnishes, and their frequent use makes the nail plate thinner due to lack of oxygen. White spots appear because air bubbles get stuck between the keratin plates that make up the nail. Typically, several of these white spots appear on one nail at once, although they can form stripes and cover the nail completely. In the latter case, the situation needs to be corrected with the help of a doctor , as well as in a situation where leukonychia increases in size or is located on several nails at once.
Causes of leukonychia
- Mechanical damage . Impact, careless handling of the file, uncomfortable shoes, strong squeezing of the nails - all this causes the appearance of white spots. In this situation, a doctor's consultation is not necessary, as these white spots are similar to a bruise on the skin. You can deal with them using strengthening varnishes.
- Chemical exposure . Applying low-quality nail polish, washing off the decorative coating with an aggressive composition, detergents and cleaning mixtures can also cause the appearance of leukonychia. This situation can be prevented by using gloves, which should not be forgotten when cleaning and washing dishes. If you are sure that the white spots are caused by a chemical, you can treat them with a salt bath for 15-20 minutes.
- Fungus . If, in addition to leukonychia, the nails turn yellow, peel, crumble, thicken or are otherwise deformed, then most likely they are infected with a fungus. a dermatologist can solve this problem with special antifungal agents or laser procedures.
- Lack of protein in the body . This situation can be recognized if the leukonychia accumulate in white stripes. They solve the problem by eating protein foods: meat, fish, eggs, seafood, legumes.
- Kidney diseases . You can suspect this problem if leukonychia appears on many nails at once, and also if they are concentrated near the nail bed. A therapist or nephrologist will help kidney disease .
- Stress . A neuropathological cause is indicated by large white spots in the center of the nail. A neurologist treat stress , but even without consulting a doctor , rest, soothing decoctions, quality sleep, proper nutrition, walks in the fresh air, and exercise will be useful.
- Metabolic disorders and pregnancy . In this case, no special treatment is required; additional strengthening of the nails with special varnishes and baths is sufficient.
- Reduced hemoglobin in the blood . A general practitioner will help confirm that the white spots are caused by this problem after a blood . Increase hemoglobin with the help of medications and consumption of foods rich in iron (apricot, liver , red meat, pomegranate, mushrooms, rose hips, tomatoes, citrus fruits).
- Lack of vitamins and microelements (vitamins A, B, C, E, iodine, zinc, calcium). This is the case if there is little leukonychia and there are other symptoms of vitamin deficiency: dry skin, brittle hair, fatigue. The problem can be solved by taking vitamin complexes and diversifying your diet: eat more cereals, nuts, legumes, dairy products, seafood, fresh vegetables and fruits, seaweed, replace sunflower oil with olive or flaxseed oil, give up fast food. If the white spots do not go away, you should consult a doctor .
If leukonychia often appears on the nails, then it would be useful to visit a doctor (first you need to visit a dermatologist’s ), since they can indicate many internal problems. If you avoid stress, mechanical and chemical damage, eat right and protect your nails from fungus, this problem is unlikely to ever arise.
Published in Dermatology Premium Clinic
Ways to eliminate stretch marks
The fight against stretch marks must be carried out comprehensively. Here are the basic skin care steps that will help correct existing stretch marks and prevent new ones from appearing.
- Exfoliation.
- Massage.
- Moisturizing and strengthening.
We have collected all the necessary tools for you in one set. The complex for correcting stretch marks
includes a dry massage brush, stretch mark oil, raspberry cream scrub and lifting cream.
Let’s take a closer look at effective procedures and products that will help you make stretch marks almost invisible on your own.
Exfoliation
A simple way to eliminate stretch marks is to regularly exfoliate the skin. This procedure will help remove dead particles of the epidermis and activate cell renewal. Deep cleanse your skin 1-2 times a week using effective yet gentle exfoliants from the ARAVIA Laboratories line.
- Raspberry Cream Scrub qualitatively renews the skin, making it soft and radiant. Pine nut shells in the scrub have an antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effect. Pink clay is rich in microelements (silicon, iron, calcium and magnesium) and effectively relieves dryness and flaking of the skin. Raspberries refresh and lighten pigmentation. Vitamins E, PP, A and B2 tone the skin and prolong its youth.
Massage
Dry massage with special brushes - drybrushing - gives an excellent result in the fight against stretch marks. With regular use of such brushes, the skin is cleansed of dead particles, becomes smooth and soft, cellulite and stretch marks become less pronounced. The main rule of dry massage is that movements should be in the direction of the lymph: from the feet to the heart.
Dry massage is easy to perform yourself at home - the whole process will take no more than 15 minutes. Brushes make the skin elastic and well-groomed, and also relieve stress, relax muscles and activate recovery processes.
For a massage to be effective, it is important not only to do it correctly, but also to choose a quality brush. ARAVIA accessories are made of beech wood and natural bristles. Natural materials will make the procedure tactilely pleasant, and the long handle will allow you to work on hard-to-reach areas.
Brushes vary in degree of hardness:
- soft, suitable for beginners and those with sensitive skin;
- The medium one will appeal to those who have already tried drybrushing and want a more intense effect on the skin.
Remember: any massage technique requires prior consultation with a specialist.
Which doctor to contact if stretch marks are detected: diagnosis
For diagnosis and treatment, you should first visit a dermatologist. You may also need to consult a cosmetologist, surgeon, endocrinologist and therapist. At the appointment, the doctor conducts an examination, studies complaints and anamnesis, and, if necessary, refers to other specialists and for additional examination.
Basic procedures:
- dermatoscopy;
- blood analysis;
- Analysis of urine;
- study of hormonal status (cortisone, testosterone and other hormones);
- ECG;
- Ultrasound;
- CT;
- MRI;
- craninography.
Treatment depends on the identified causes of stretch marks, their age, and the results of laboratory tests. It is possible to carry out such procedures as:
- injections;
- drugs in tablet form;
- laser therapy;
- phonophoresis;
- massage;
- wrap;
- phototherapy;
- plasma therapy;
- magnetic-thermal therapy;
- peelings of different types;
- complex of vitamins and minerals;
- wearing a bandage;
- wraps;
All the described treatment methods improve blood supply to the affected areas and improve their structure. Thanks to this, cells multiply better and the tissue recovers faster. As old cells are replaced by new ones, stretch marks gradually disappear.
But in some cases, when conservative therapy methods (medicines, procedures) do not work, surgical intervention has to be used. The operation is indicated only in extreme cases and is used relatively rarely.
