Stretch Marks - Its Causes and Prevention Methods | Dr Chen Tai Ho

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Why Do I Have Stretch Marks?

by | Jan 7, 2015

2015 is well and truly upon us and I hope you’ve all stuck or kept to the resolutions you’ve made for yourself this year.
 
Today I want to elaborate a bit about stretch marks and why they occur. It’s a harmless aesthetic condition, but some individuals may want to get rid of them simply due to its unsightliness. While treatable, prevention is always better than cure. Let’s take a look.
 
What Causes Them?
Depending on your condition, stretch marks can appear as streaks of red or purple trailing across your skin, or lines that appear indented. They may even come in the form of bright streaks that eventually fade into silver, white, light pink or grey shades on your skin. In short, stretch marks can appear in all shapes and forms!
 
A severe case of stretch marks (pic from poklat.com)
 
Some of the most common causes of stretch marks can be avoided and some cannot. These include:
  • Pregnancy
  • Puberty
  • Genetic predisposition
  • Rapid weight gain or weight loss
  • Steroid medication such as pills or creams

 

If there is a history of stretch marks in your family, there is an increased likelihood that you may experience it during your lifetime as well. However, most growing children and adults experience stretch marks at some point in life.
 
During puberty, the growth spurts experienced by both boys and girls may lead to stretch marks developing as the skin cannot keep up with the rapid growth of the individual. Girls who begin to develop breasts may also experience stretch marks, while boys are just as likely to develop these marks anywhere on their body that is growing fast.
 
Children going through puberty are very likely to develop some stretch marks (pic from everydaylife.globalpost.com)
 
Fast weight gain or loss is also a contributing factor, and this can occur during adulthood as well. People that bulk up muscle in a short time period may find their skin unaccommodating to this progress; likewise individuals that lose weight quickly due to an intensive diet or workout routine can find themselves developing stretch marks if their skin cannot handle the strain put on it.
 
How to Prevent Them?
Unsurprisingly, watching your weight is the easiest way to lower the chances of developing stretch marks. Healthy weight gain or loss is the key! Pick out and stick to a diet that helps you gain weight or lose weight consistently and not in large quantities at a time. Yo-yo diets should also be avoided as these are much more likely to cause stretch marks due to the constant weight loss and gain. A good yardstick is not to lose more than 1 pound per week (approx. 0.5kg). Similarly, try not to gain more than 1-2 pounds per week (approx. 2-4kg).
 
A large steak may help you gain weight, but be careful not to gain too much too fast! (pic from aspiringgentleman.com)
 
During pregnancy, weight gain may vary but ignore the myth that you need to eat for you and your baby. As long as you have a well-rounded diet that has plenty of healthy carbs, fruits and vegetables, you should be fine. Do consult your GP regarding weight gains during this time if you are unsure whether or not your current rate is considered healthy.


In short, controlling your weight is the key to preventing stretch marks. In my next post, I will highlight some methods to combat stretch marks which are fairly effective and are non-invasive. But I will reiterate the importance of prevention instead of cure; if you maintain good habits and discipline, you should not have any problem avoiding stretch marks for the most part! 

Till next time, stay healthy!

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