Unwanted Stretch Marks in the Skin
Stretch marks in the skin can be a problem for those women who care about their all over beauty, and about maintaining a beautiful skin all over their body. The marks do not pose any sort of health threat, but nonetheless they do affect appearance, so those wanting a perfect skin may be horrified at any unsightly marks at all.
What Causes Stretch Marks?
The cause of stretch marks on the skin are not what most people think. They tend to be associated most with pregnancy and the abdominal area, and there is some merit to that association. However, the actual cause is hormonal.
Stretch marks appear in the middle of the skin's three layers, the dermis. They often appear during pregnancy due to the hormonal changes that always take place during pregnancy. It is the glucocorticoids hormones which are responsible for the appearance of stretch marks, often in about the 6th or 7th month of pregnancy. The inflated levels of glucocorticoids hormones prevent what are called fibroblasts from forming collagen and elastin fibers, which are need by the skin to maintain tautness.
Stretch marks in skin can also be associated with obesity, puberty and body building, but it is mostly during pregnancy that women find themselves affected by them. It is thought about 75-90% of pregnant women have stretch marks at some time during the pregnancy, although the degree to which they are affected can vary greatly.
Suggested link for more information on stretch marks in skin: Wikipedia.
