WHAT ARE STRETCH MARKS (STRIAE)?
Stretch marks, or striae, as they are called in medical literature, are red, purple, or white lines on the skin surface. They usually occur as a result of excessive and rapid skin stretching or hormonal changes. They are often seen in puberty, pregnancy or after weight loss. The fibers in the connective tissue get damaged, and the skin looses elasticity. The dermis, which is a middle layer of the skin, is then lacerated, and stretch marks appear. They can take different forms – from hardly noticeable strips to long unsightly scars. The red or purplish color of striae is caused by blood vessels in the connective tissue; they get visible after tearing of the skin. Over the time, stretch marks turn white, and even tanning can’t change that color. Stretch marks present no health risk, and do not impair the body’s ability to function normally. Still, for many people they become a frustrating problem, and they want to get rid of striae to make their skin look better. HOW ARE STRETCH MARKS (S
