Stretch marks, also known as striae gravidarum, are a common skin condition that can affect people of all ages, genders, and ethnicities. These tiny bands of scar tissue are most often caused by rapid stretching of the skin, but we also know that hormones play a large role.
In this blog, we’re going to answer a few common questions about hormonal stretch marks, such as why am I suddenly getting stretch marks, what causes stretch marks, and we’ll even talk about how to get rid of stretch marks. Let’s jump right in.
What Causes Stretch Marks?
So, are you wondering “why am I suddenly getting stretch marks, I haven’t gained any weight?” There are plenty of myths surrounding stretch marks, and this is one of them – you don’t necessarily need “weight gain” to develop stretch marks.
Stretch marks can sometimes be caused simply by hormonal changes in your body. This is because hormones play a role in regulating the production of collagen and elastin, two proteins that give skin its strength and elasticity. When hormones are out of balance, it can lead to a decrease in collagen and elastin production. This, as you might imagine, makes the skin more susceptible to stretch marks from everyday activity.
What Causes Hormonal Imbalances?
There are a number of factors that can contribute to hormonal imbalances, including:
- Pregnancy: During pregnancy, women experience a surge in hormones, including estrogen and progesterone. These hormones can weaken the skin and make it more prone to stretch marks.
- Menopause: Menopause is a time of significant hormonal change, and it can lead to a decrease in collagen and elastin production. This can make the skin more susceptible to stretch marks.
- Certain medications: Some medications, such as corticosteroids, can cause hormonal imbalances that can lead to stretch marks.
- Genetics: Some people are simply more prone to stretch marks than others. This is often due to genetics, as there is a strong genetic component to stretch marks.
How Do I Avoid Hormonal Stretch Marks?
If you are concerned about accumulating hormonally-induced stretch marks, there are a number of things you can do to help prevent them. While weight gain may not be the definitive cause of your stretch marks, it could certainly make them worse. This is why it’s recommended that you eat a healthy diet rich in nutrients and vitamins; not only can this help you maintain a healthy weight, but it will also provide your body (and skin) with what it needs to stay elastic and resilient.
Drinking plenty of water can also help skin be more resilient to stretching to the point of damage. Furthermore, moisturizing the skin properly and not drying it out with harsh soaps is incredibly important, too. If you’re looking to go the extra mile with moisturizing your skin, stretch mark creams work well for this and help stimulate collagen and elastin production in the skin (at least, most good products do).
How Do I Treat Hormonal Stretch Marks?
If you have already developed stretch marks, there are a number of things you can do to help reduce their appearance. These include exfoliating your skin, moisturizing properly, and using a good stretch mark cream.
Stretch marks are a common and natural part of life, but there are a number of things you can do to help prevent and treat them. And, if you’re looking for a gentle, effective stretch mark cream, we’ve put together a dynamite product that we know you’ll love.
Using Rejuvaskin’s Stretch Mark Cream to Soften Stretch Marks
Here at Rejuvaskin, we’ve combined polypeptides and botanicals with cocoa and shea butter to create a superb product for both preventing and reducing the appearance of stretch marks. Our Stretch Mark Cream is recommended by both OBGYNs and dermatologists around the country, and is backed by tons of honest reviews.
So, if you’re looking for a great cream that both supports and repairs your skin, pick up some of our Stretch Mark Cream today!