Stretch marks are a common problem that many people, especially teenagers, face. They can be embarrassing and cause a lot of self-consciousness. While there is no magic cure to get rid of stretch marks entirely. But there are some things you can do to help reduce their appearance.
Though to treat stretch marks effectively, you need to know their origin. Stretch marks are formed due to sudden stretching of the skin beyond its elasticity. This can be caused by pregnancy, rapid growth or weight gain/loss in a short time period. There are some very effective treatments available to make stretch marks less visible.
As well to prevent stretch marks, you need to take care of your skin and follow a healthy lifestyle. There are some simple things that can help you reduce the appearance of stretch marks in teenagers. In this post, we’ll discuss how to get rid of stretch marks and why it develops.
In This Article
How do stretch marks go away in teenagers?
Furthermore, stretch marks on teenagers do not fade away easily because the growth hormones encourage the development of new tissues and cells instead of breaking them down. The elasticity is also very weak as well as the collagen levels. To fade stretch marks, you should keep your skin moisturized to encourage the development of collagen. There are some things you can do to help reduce those stretch marks on your body as a teenager and these things are:
1. Stay hydrated
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To avoid striae disease is it necessary to staying hydrated. It is important for you to drink at least 8 glasses of water every day. The water flushes out toxins and harmful substances that can cause wrinkles, stretch marks and even age spots. Do not drink soda drinks as it consists of caffeine which will make your muscles contract and this makes the stretch marks more visible. Stretch marks fade away when collagen is produced which in turn makes the skin more elastic. It is also important to eat foods that are rich in Vitamin A, C and E because it prevents the skin from drying out.
2. Exfoliate your skin
Exfoliation helps to get rid of dead cells on your body so you can have healthy skin. The more healthy your skin is, the less likely you will have stretch marks on it. Do not use a brush to scrub your body because it can cause scarring and even stretch marks. You should use a loofah or a sponge to gently rub your skin instead of using a hard brush. For preventing stretch marks in teenagers, use an exfoliator that contains tiny salt beads to get rid of dead skin cells.
3. Use moisturizers
Generally, stretch marks occur due to dry skin. Dry skin cannot hold on to the collagen and elastin that is meant for giving you smooth skin. You should use moisturizers that contain Vitamin E, Shea butter or cocoa butter to get rid of stretch marks in teenagers because these ingredients are proven to bring back elasticity to your skin. To fade stretch marks, look for vitamin E moisturizers that are oil-based rather than water-based because they help the skin to stay hydrated.
4. Do not smoke
It is important for you to stop smoking if you want to reduce the appearance of stretch marks on your body. Smoking makes the blood vessels constrict and this means that less oxygen can develop stretch marks. Stretch marks are also caused by a lack of oxygen in the blood. So it is important to stop smoking entirely if you wish to reduce your stretch marks. Sometimes a rapid weight gain by teens and not weight lifting can also cause stretch marks. Even stretch marks remain on an overweight teenager can get rid of them if they lose weight.
5. Massage your skin with lemon and olive oil
You can mix lemon juice with olive oil into a ½ cup of any type of carrier oil. Massage this mixture into your skin daily until they are completely gone. A homemade body scrub made from coffee will also help you to fade stretch marks faster. The coarse particles in the coffee exfoliate your skin and protect it from harmful UV rays. If you want to lessen the appearance of stretch marks caused by rapid weight gain, it is best for you to focus on your skin.
Although sunless self-tanners help in covering the appearance of stretch marks, they will not really fade them. As well as new stretch marks on undamaged skin or normal skin can appear even if you lose weight. Because collagen production is not yet developed, it is best for teenagers to make the stretch marks less visible.
6. Take Vitamin supplements
Stretch marks are known to disappear if there are sufficient fat-soluble vitamins that can be found in dairy products, eggs, fish oil, liver etc. There are many vitamin A creams as well as Vitamin E oil that you can apply to fade those stretch marks. If possible, go for laser treatments. This method is very effective in fading out the appearance of stretch marks and it also prevents new marks from appearing. However, there are some side effects such as redness and itching which varies from person to person. You can also consult your doctor about Laser treatments and they will prescribe you some cream that contains Vitamin A and E to help fade out those stretch marks.
7. Avoid harsh soaps
Skin products that contain harmful chemicals like sulfates are called harsh soaps. Avoid those products as it dries the skin and makes the stretch marks look more visible. Soap leave stretch marks more vulnerable to sunlight. Use home remedies like also vera gel, almond oil, or coconut oil to get your skin tone back. Soaps are helpful to develop stretch marks. As well do body makeup can be applied to hide stretch marks. Sometimes your upper arms scar tissue growth spurt and you can use makeup to hide scars and stretch marks. And retinoid creams are good for stretch marks on the affected area of your body.
8. Exercise
Stretch marks are known to reduce when you exercise regularly. When you lose weight, the skin has no choice but to stretch out because it hides the layers of fat under it which makes the appearance of stretch marks very apparent. The appearance of these stretch marks will also fade away as you stay fit and healthy by exercising daily. Do not over-exercise because it will make you look sweaty and you do not want to look like that when you are in high school.
How do stretch marks develop in teenagers?
Stretch marks are defined as skin lesions that occur due to sudden growth or weight gain. These are the main reasons why teenagers develop stretch marks on their bodies. There are other causes too, but they are mostly related to hormonal changes during puberty. It is also possible for teenagers to have stretch marks that are caused by other medical conditions, but these are exceptional cases. Generally, stretch marks called striae distensae may appear on the face, buttocks, upper thighs and lower back. They usually develop during one of the following times and they are:
1. Genetic and hormonal changes
These are the main reasons why teenagers develop stretch marks. During puberty, there is a sudden increase in collagen synthesis that causes the elastin to stretch across the dermis of the skin. This results in the development of these pinkish/purplish scars on different parts of the body. Genetic risk factors, pregnancy and menopause are also associated with the development of stretch marks.
2. Rapid weight gain
During puberty, there is an increase in muscle mass that results in rapid weight gain. This is why teenagers tend to develop stretch marks on their arms, buttocks and thighs. They may also occur on the breasts if it is a female teenager.
3. Family history
Stretch marks are influenced by genetic factors. Therefore, it is possible for teenagers to have stretch marks because one of their parents has them. The reason why they may not appear during puberty is that the genes become dominant only when both of the parents pass on the same gene.
4. Teenage acne
Acne vulgaris is a skin condition that teenagers experience. It generally occurs on the face and can lead to scarring, including stretch marks. In addition, acne may also be a sign of an underlying medical condition such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Therefore, teens with acne should go to their doctor for proper testing and treatment.
5. Eating disorders
Teenagers who have eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa or bulimia may develop marks. They occur because of malnutrition due to these conditions. Therefore, it is necessary for teenagers with eating disorders to check in with a doctor and change their lifestyle so they can get rid of this condition.
Are stretch marks normal in teens?
However, stretch marks are also normal in teenagers. When the body grows quickly, it will develop stretch marks which are on the hips, thighs or buttocks. There are some ways how to get rid of stretch marks in teenagers.
The growth cycle is a continuous process that starts from childhood until puberty. The greatest rate of growth is during puberty when teens grow more than five inches annually. This is why the body needs more nutrients to keep up with the rapid growth rate of teens during puberty.
As well as, stretch marks are less common in boys than girls and mostly appear during puberty. Since lengthwise growth of the body is much more rapid in girls than boys. This results in a much greater chance that stretch marks will develop or they already exist when the girl goes through puberty.
The Conclusion
Therefore, stretch marks are a common problem for both men and women of all ages. But they can be especially troublesome for teenagers who are still growing and developing. While there is no one-size-fits-all solution to getting rid of stretch marks. But there are a few things you can do to improve your chances of success. If you’re a teenager who is struggling with stretch marks, know that you are not alone. There are treatments available to help reduce the appearance of stretch marks, and in many cases, they can be eliminated completely. Talk to your doctor about what treatment options might be best for you, and don’t hesitate to ask for help if you need it. With the right treatment plan, you can say goodbye to those pesky stretch marks once and for all. We hope the information provided in this article will help you to get rid of stretch marks in teenagers.
