How Quickly Do Stretch Marks Fade?
The vast majority of people do not worry about their skin tone or texture, but instead focus more on how they want to look like and what products fit with their lifestyle. Staying in budget is an important factor, too!
However, as we age, our hormones begin to slow down at the root level. This has a significant effect on our body’s growth process. For example, when your bone tissue grows, it does so by absorbing calcium from your bones and your soft tissues (such as muscles).
If there isn’t enough estrogen present, then the cells don’t receive the signal to absorb all the needed calcium. In some cases, they can’t even recognize that a signle need for calcium has occurred!
This is why many women notice changes in their skin tone and texture as they age. Because their skin doesn’t seem to be functioning quite right, it may start producing extra amounts of collagen and/or elastin, which are both good things. Or perhaps it starts trying harder to hold onto its own moisture, which also makes sense since dry, wrinkled skin is probably less comfortable than smooth, moist skin.
But unfortunately, sometimes this happens faster than nature intended!
We call these “stretch marks” because they occur when the skin stretches rapidly as the underlying muscle pulls tight during pregnancy or while the skin reacts slowly to decreasing levels of estrogen.
They are not a sign of poor skin health
While most people will find that their stretch marks fade at their own pace, this isn’t always the case. Some individuals may want to know how quickly they can disappear, but there is no clear answer for that.
There are several things that affect the way your body gets rid of old tissue. Genetics play a big role in determining how fast your skin heals from injuries or stress.
This article will talk about some potential causes of persistent stretch mark symptoms and what you can do to help speed up their fading process.
They are not a sign of aging
Although they may seem like an ugly blemish, most people do not perceive stretch marks as very attractive, many feel them to be uncomfortable to look at, and some even consider them embarrassing.
However, there is now scientific proof that show how quickly these markings can disappear. It was determined that within one month, nearly all trace of the original mark will have faded away.
Within six months, only slightly darker areas remain which eventually fade into nothing. This process typically takes around a year and a half to two years until it is completely gone.
While this may sound discouraging, it should be noted that this does not mean that someone with severe skin conditions such as dermatitis or eczema will no longer see their symptoms improve.
They are not a sign of obesity
Another myth is that stretch marks indicate your baby was born overweight. This theory is totally false! Overweight babies can get stretch marks, but they do not cause additional skin to grow in proportionally.
Stress, diet changes, or chemical reactions may also contribute to new skin growth so weight loss cannot be linked to their appearance. It is true, however, that as you lose weight, your body’s natural healing process can take longer than if you were staying at a normal weight.
That means it takes longer for your skin to disappear after an abortion. In fact, some women report that their skin stays very sensitive for up to six months!
While there is no way to prevent light stretch marks, quitting smoking will help reduce the length of time you have them. Smoking decreases blood flow, which makes it more difficult for your skin to heal.
Another helpful tip is to use a good sunblock every day while you are pregnant and post-abortive to protect your skin from the damaging effects of the sun.
They do not go away quickly
It can take months for them to truly disappear. Some people say that you can actually improve the color of your stretch mark by rubbing in olive oil or coconut milk. This does not work for everyone, however!
Stress is a very common cause of new skin growth. When we are under stress, our bodies will create some extra hormones to deal with the situation. Sometimes these same hormones react with your current skin layers to produce darker pigments.
This article will talk about more ways to help fade your existing marks as well as how to prevent future ones from happening.
They are not a reflection of how fast you can lose weight
Most people assume that new stretch marks mean you’re getting bigger muscles, your muscle tissue is stretching to match the size of your belly, or your skin is becoming thicker due to all those workouts. Neither of these things are true!
New stretch marks are actually nothing but small cracks in the dermis (outer layer) of your skin. The length difference between them and older ones means how quickly they fade- some take years to go away.
This may surprise you, but most women do NOT develop more collagen as we get older. What happens instead is that the thin layers of skin that cover the deeper layers grow slightly thinner, which is why you see some areas of your skin looking lighter than others.
Sunlight and cosmetics can make them worse
While not all stretch marks go away, there are things you can do to reduce how long they take to fade. One of the most important is to not pull down your dress or clothing as frequently because this could push up the skin and cause new ones!
Another way to help prevent new ones is to be sun-conscious. The longer your body has exposure to sunlight, the faster it will lose its tight muscles and collagen.
When using makeup, never press it directly onto dry skin or use heavy foundations, concealers and bronzer that have extra powder which may settle in the wrinkles and break down the natural layer of skin. Use lighter products instead to see less reflection and possibly even apply them with a brush to keep the shape fresh and beautiful.
Some products can make them worse
One of the biggest sources of worry for people with expensive, beautifully-touched skin is fading or removal of stretch marks. Unfortunately, some “treatment” strategies are not as helpful as they seem!
Some treatments contain hydroquinone (or its derivatives) which can cause serious health complications. Hydroquinone comes in many forms including creams, gels, sprays, ointments and pills. It may even be used to treat other conditions like acne or sunburns.
Because it contains chemicals that stimulate cell growth, hydroxyquinoline can help speed up the natural healing process. However, studies have shown that it can also contribute to early cellular changes associated with cancer.
This is why it is important to do a test patch on your own skin first. If you see any improvement, then you can use the product more extensively but only under professional supervision. Make sure your doctor knows about any topical medications you use so she can monitor you for potential problems.
Another risk factor for developing malignant melanoma is too much exposure to ultraviolet light, especially from the sun. Therefore, try to limit your exposure by investing in good sun protection methods such as wearing hats and UV protective clothing, using sunscreen and limiting time spent in the sun.
There are some natural remedies
One of the things that can be done to prevent new stretch marks is to use products with vitamin A or beta carotene in them. These nutrients help promote skin cell growth, which may also speed up the fading process for older stretch marks.
Natural oils such as those from fruits or vegetables can be applied onto the skin to aid in protecting it against dryness. When using these products, make sure to wash your hands well after applying so you do not spread any germs that could cause skin irritation.
Another way to protect your skin from dryness is to apply moisture-holding gel sheets or towels under or next to your clothes while they are drying. This would work particularly well if you have to go immediately after washing due to time constraints or lack of sleep.
