Stretch marks are red, pink or purple dented striae which usually develop on the breasts, belly, upper arms, buttocks and thighs, and sometimes on the back; they tend to fade away eventually to white. Stretch marks are especially common in pregnant women, more so, during the last trimester.
Stretch marks tend to differ depending up on how long you have had them, their location and what caused them, as well as what your skin type is.
- Indented streaks
- Multiple red, pink or purple striae.
- Bright streaks which fade to white.
What Causes Stretch Marks On Back?
Stretch marks are caused by a stretching of the skin. Stretch marks are more severe when coupled with a raise in the cortisone level, a hormone that is synthesized by the adrenal glands. Cortisone is known to weaken the elastic fibers in the skin and produce stretch marks.
Stretch marks may develop due to the following conditions:
- Pregnancy: Almost all pregnant women develop stretch marks by the end of pregnancy. The physical stretching of the skin, along with a change in the hormone profile plays a part.
- Weight gain: Substantial weight gain triggers the formation of stretch marks. Weightlifters may develop stretch marks; whilst adolescents may see stretch marks during growth spurts.
- Medication: Corticosteroid – either oral or application is known to cause stretch marks.
- Certain disorders: Cushing’s syndrome and adrenal gland diseases cause stretch marks; likewise, Marfan syndrome, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome and other genetic conditions can produce stretch marks.
Certain factors raise your probability of developing stretch marks:
- Pregnancy
- Being female
- Being overweight
- Using corticosteroids
- Family history of stretch marks.
- Quickly gaining or losing weight.
How To Get Rid Of Stretch Marks On Back?
Stretch marks are harmless and tend to fade with time. They do not need any medical treatment. If you do seek treatment, you must know that treatments are partly effective only and will not get rid of the stretch marks completely.
The following treatments help improve the appearance of your skin and help lighten the stretch marks:
- Tretinoin cream: Experts and dermatologists say that tretinoin helps improve the appearance of your skin appreciably; they are beneficial for recent stretch marks, i.e. those that are a few months old and are pink in color. In case you are pregnant or nursing, your health care provider will postpone retinoid therapy or may suggest an alternative. Tretinoin, rebuilds collagen, making the stretch mark look more like your normal skin. Tretinoin is not effective for older stretch marks.
- Laser therapy: Laser makes use of intense wavelengths of light to encourage collagen and elastin production in your skin. Your dermatologist will help you understand which type of laser treatment is most optimal for you, depending up on the age and location of the stretch marks.
- Microdermabrasion: This involves using a hand held gadget which blows crystals on to your skin. These crystals very gently polish the surface of the skin. Then, a vacuum tube eliminates all the crystals and the skin cells. Microdermabrasion gets rid of skin’s superficial layer and supports and encourages the growth of new, more-elastic skin. This treatment is good for older stretch marks.
- Home treatments comprising of vitamin E and cocoa butter application are decidedly beneficial too.