Stretch marks, all the news and the most effective solutions

Stretch marks, as we know, mark the skin of the body like a real scar. And they do it in a rather democratic way, since they mainly affect women, whether they are sedentary or sporty, slim or curvy, adolescents or mature, but they do not spare men either, in particular body builders. Obviously, celebs also emerge on the body who, in the wake of body acceptance and body-normality, mostly tend to no longer disguise them with retouching and/or filters, but rather, often show them off on their profiles social almost with pride, like Khloé Kardashian (streaks on the buttocks), Ashley Graham (on the stomach), Lady Gaga and Scarlett Johansson (on the breasts) and Bella Hadid (on the hips). But although they have rightly been “normalized”, the fact remains that not everyone feels comfortable exhibiting them. And that accepting them does not exclude working, in serenity, to ensure that they do not get worse. “The ideal, Indeed, it means playing prevention and intervening promptly on the most recent streaksthe reddish ones, because when they have already completed the stage of evolution and have stabilized becoming a scar with a typical mother-of-pearl colour, it is no longer possible to eliminate them, but only reduce their appearance”, explains Arianna Venturoli, nutritionist, acupuncture and aesthetic doctor at Bologna.

What they are and why they are formed (and who they prefer)

Stretch marks are permanent damage to the skin, which, subjected to excessive and/or sudden traction, tears rather than tightens and then returns to its original “integrity”. They mainly affect the thighs and buttocks, but also the breasts, stomach and inner arms. “They are formed due to a series of cofactors, including genetic predisposition and hormonal storms, such as those typical of puberty. They can also be induced by excessive activity of the adrenal gland, which accelerates the metabolism of elastic proteins (elastin and collagen) causes cracks in the dermis. Then there are pregnancies, which put a strain on the elasticity of the skin, as well as drastic diets and the yo-yo effect, being overweight but also excessive thinness and aging. in the latter case, the problem is no longer just the stretching of the elastic fibres, but above all their reduced production by the fibroblasts, which leads to the loss of tone and the failure of the skin’s support structures”, says Venturoli.

Prevention and cosmetic treatments

Especially in periods or phases of life that predispose to the formation of stretch marks, such as pregnancy or following a diet that involves a significant weight loss, it is It is important to keep the skin as nourished and hydrated as possible and above all it is necessary to protect itand the scaffolding substances, collagen and elastic fibers. The first cosmetic step is exfoliation: performed regularly using a scrub or peeling, maximum a couple of times a week, in addition to making any existing stretch marks a little less evident, it eliminates the stratification of devitalized cells, allowing new ones, fresh and full of vitality, to come to the surface.

“Another wild card cosmetic treatment: on the décolleté, stomach, buttocks, inner thighs and arms, the areas most at risk of streaks, a couple of times a day, before the cream massage a nourishing and elasticizing serum, for example with hyaluronic acid, avocado oil or better yet sweet almond or rosehip oil, which in addition to vitamin E contain myristic acid and a lot of vitamin C respectively, with an anti-stretch mark action“, advises Venturoli. Formulas based on vegetable butters, such as shea or cupuaçu, are also excellent. which in addition to keeping the skin soft, hydrated and compact, stimulate elastin thanks to the unsaponifiable fraction. To the “out” cosmetic treatments you can add some targeted supplements, for example based on Omega 3 and 6which are also anti-inflammatory, and of vitamin C and other molecules that “spur” fibroblasts keeping them more efficient, such as silicon, copper, zinc and centella Asiatica, a plant rich in flavonoids and phytosterols (3 month cycles, 2 times a year after 30 years of age).

AT THIS LINK, A SELECTION OF COSMETICS WITH ANTI STRETCH MARK ACTION

Attention to lifestyle: in addition to nutrition, which must be varied, complete and balanced (drastic or monothematic diets must be strictly avoided), It is essential to do regular physical activity, because it keeps the skin elastic, improving the supply of oxygen and nutrients in the deeper layers. However, avoid intensive sports that subject the subcutaneous tissue to excessive stress, causing tears that alter the organization of the connective fibres. If striae appear despite prevention, it is important to focus even more on cosmetic treatments. “As soon as the typical reddish streaks emerge, you can immediately adopt a shock treatment with concentrated recompacting serums, which stimulate the production of hyaluronic acid, collagen and elastin and make the tissues more resistant to the attack of elastase, the enzyme responsible for degradation of these substances. They may contain extracts of echinacea, gotu kola, hyaluronic acid, vitamin E, marine collagen, wheat proteins, various antioxidants, including coenzyme Q10, biomimetic peptides”, says Venturoli.

Once the shock treatment is over, you can move on to a maintenance routine: at least a couple of times a day, apply a thin layer of sweet almond or rosehip oil, the latter being an excellent source of vitamin C, wait about ten minutes and then massage a concentrated elasticizing cream, for example with a mix of vitamins (A, B5, E, PP) and beta-glycyrrhetinic acid, anti-inflammatories. “Formulations with mandelic acid, which exfoliates and stimulates fibroblasts, or boswelic acid, the latter already used in Ayurvedic medicine for its anti-inflammatory and protective benefits of collagen and elastin, are also ideal”, he explains the expert.

“Shock” beauty treatments: carboxytherapy and laser

On recent and still red stretch marks, treatments in the doctor’s office offer good results. Combined methods work in particular: sessions of external radio frequency (on average 3), which stimulate neocollagen thanks to controlled heat, preferably alternated with biorevitalization (at least 3 sessions), i.e. microinjections of cocktails of substances, such as polynucleotides, amino acids, trace elements and antioxidant vitamins. “Excellent, alone or in combination with radio frequency at the discretion of the doctor according to the progression of the striae, also carboxytherapy, which consists of microinjections of CO2 gas, which reactivates microcirculation and consequently increases the quantity and quality of elastic and collagen fibres. A very valid alternative is the fractional CO2 laser: causes a series of microcoagulations that progressively act on the structure of the collagen fibres, thus stimulating the tissues to repair the stria”, explains Venturoli.

Regarding the precautions and deadlines to be respected: pay attention especially to darker phototypes, because the area treated with the laser can become “stained” more easily. For this reason, in the days following the session it is necessary to avoid exposing it to the sun and in any case apply a filter with a very high SPF”, explains Dr. Venturoli, who specifies: “The problem of red stretch marks, recently formed, is resolved with good results in approximately 3-4 sessions. For the ivory ones, already stabilized, however, the situation changes: they are not erased, but are made much less evident with a number of sessions that is established on a case-by-case basis”.

What works best for long-standing ivory streaks

In addition to the CO2 laser, to try to reduce ivory stretch marks, you can try other targeted treatments, such as Biodermogenesi® (https://www.biodermogenesi.com/it/), which uses special radiofrequency and magnetic field devices with the support of specific exfoliating, hydrating and regenerating cosmetics. The typical session: after exfoliating the skin and applying a serum from the Biodermogenesi® line, the operator passes a radiofrequency handpiece combined with very slight and imperceptible electric discharges over the poorly toned and striated areas, which penetrate the dermis to encourage the production of neocollagen and elastin. Electric fields also stimulate vascular and circulatory activity, improving oxygenation and drainage. Little by little, the new collagen and elastic fibers tone the tissues and fill the groove of the striae, making them appear thinner and less deep. Biodermogenesi® also works on red streaks, which lighten. The basic treatment requires 10 to 20 sessions. Another method for medical use only very useful for nacreous stretch marks is the needle radio frequencywhich has an intense biostimulant action thanks to a tool which combines the thermal energy of fractional radio frequency with the needling technique (disposable microneedles that penetrate deeply; minimum three sessions). Regarding bodycare for nacreous stretch marks, given that it offers very modest results (they only improve their appearance a little), the advice is to apply serums and creams with regenerating and smoothing active ingredients daily, morning and evening. Useful, for example, are formulas with organic elastin or with peptides that stimulate neocollagen, but also with recompacting phytoestrogens, such as soy, hops, sage. In the evening, you may prefer emulsions based on retinol or bakuchiol, or with AHAs, such as 20% glycolic acid. However, for any stretch marks on the breast, formulas with polyhydroxy acids are better, as they achieve the same results but are more gentle.