Almost everyone remembers the first stretch marks. For most, it was directly related to that growth spurt that popped you up a whole foot, gave you a booty or hips, or even resulted in boobs and your first bra. Stretch marks are familiar, but that doesn’t mean you have to love them or hold on to them forever. If you are looking for the facts and a guaranteed way of erasing old and new stretch marks, you have come to the right place.

What are stretch marks?

Stretch marks are scars. They develop when the skin rapidly stretches or shrinks. Because the skin changes so quickly, it causes the collagen and elastin to rupture. These two elements, collagen and elastin, are the primary building blocks and help support our skin.

What causes stretch marks?

Stretch marks are most commonly due to the following:

• Puberty (aka growth spurts)
• Gaining weight
• Losing weight
• Muscle growth from weight training
• Pregnancy

Fluctuating hormones play a role as well as genes. Not everyone develops stretch marks. If your family gets stretch marks, then you will too. But, if they don’t, then you just might miss these little tiger stripes.

What do stretch marks look like?

As we hinted above, stretch marks look like lines or streaks stretched across the skin. They also vary in color. Fresh stretch marks are more colorful. They appear red, purple, pink, or brown. The color will depend on your skin tone. It is also common for new stretch marks to feel slightly raised and a bit itchy. Don’t worry about the itching. That is entirely normal. The skin in the area is thin and healing.

Older, more established stretch marks are faded and sometimes silvery. You will notice that they are somewhat “sunken.” When running your hand over them, you will feel a slight depression.

Can you get stretch marks from losing weight?

You may have guessed it from our list above, but you can get stretch marks from losing weight. Although, it is more common to develop stretch marks from gaining weight than losing weight. As the skin stretches, it tears, damaging the elastin, collagen, and connective tissues. The damage appears as stretch marks. Although our skin is durable and exceptionally flexible, when it expands in a short amount of time, it results in tears, otherwise known as stretch marks.

How to prevent stretch marks

This is a good question (and our favorite one)! Below we break down four things you can do to prevent stretch marks from developing. These tips will help keep the stretch marks and loose skin at bay.

1. Monitor Your Weight

No matter what stage of life you are at, monitoring your weight is a good idea. We aren’t saying obsess; we are simply suggesting a healthy check-in. Obviously, you are aware that weight gain or weight loss can lead to stretch marks. By watching your weight, you stay aware. If you notice rapid weight gain or loss, you are better positioned to take control and understand what might be happening. In addition, you will better know when to contact your doctor for more insight.

2. Hydrate

Drinking water is a miracle worker. Staying hydrated keeps the skin hydrated. Think of it this way; if your skin is dehydrated and expanding or shrinking, it is more likely to rip. Hydrated skin is more stretchy, soft, and flexible. The recommended intake of water for women is 72 ounces. So, glue that water bottle to your hand and drink up! Additionally, if you partake in caffeinated beverages, be sure to balance them out with hydrating beverages. Caffeine increases the risk of developing stretch marks.

3. Sun Bathe

Research suggests that healthy levels of Vitamin D, through sun exposure, help reduce the risk of stretch marks. As always, wear and reapply sunscreen if you plan to soak up some Vitamin D. If you would rather skip the sun, try adding bread, cereal, milk, or yogurt to your diet, all containing Vitamin D.

4. Nutrient Rich Diet

Speaking of eating your vitamins! Prioritize skin-health-boosting foods packed with vitamins C, D, E, and Zinc. Opt for unprocessed foods when you can. And if all of this is too much to remember, just know the more colorful the plate of food, the better (think fruits, vegetables, nuts, fish, eggs, etc.)

How to remove stretch marks permanently

You may think that you have to choose the most expensive and invasive procedure to remove stretch marks, but you would be wrong. Stretch mark and skin tightening can be achieved with Dermaclara. So, before you start googling “stretch marks treatment near me,” let us break down the top ways to permanently tighten stretch marks and why Dermaclara tops them all.

Tummy Tuck & Body Contouring Procedures

Tummy tucks and other body contouring procedures remove excess skin from the lower and middle belly in order to tighten the abdomen. Stretch mark removal via tummy tuck depends heavily on the individual and their collagen production. This is a highly invasive procedure with no guarantee of desired results.

Laser Therapy & Microdermabrasion

These procedures stimulate, produce and tighten collagen and elastin fibers. Although effective, these invasive procedures can be costly.

Chemical Peels & Micro-Needling

Glycolic acid peels combined with micro-needling have proven effective for scars and stretch marks on darker skin tones. Before going this route, double-check with your dermatologist about potential allergic reactions, as chemical peels can be invasive.

Retinoid Creams & Heavy Moisturizers

These topical treatments help fade stretch marks, with the star ingredient being retinol or hyaluronic acid. Topical creams are unlikely to erase stretch marks entirely but instead fade the appearance.

What is the best treatment for stretch marks?

We have told you what NOT to do, and now we are going to tell you what TO do! Dermaclara is the best solution for skin tightening for stretch marks. Our cost-efficient, non-invasive, chemical-free, dermatologist-approved silicone patches effectively fade stretch marks and tighten loose skin.

The silicone creates a microclimate between the seal and the skin, stimulating collagen production and boosting moisture. Unlike topical oils and creams, Dermaclara penetrates the dermis, pulling nutrients from the inside up to the skin's surface. This process promotes healing and growth and results in plump, buoyant skin that appears ageless.

Because of the nature of our product, it is truly universal and works on all stretch marks regardless of how old or new they are. In addition, our silicone patches can be used for stretch mark removal on dark skin or light skin. Our product is designed for everyone and all kinds of stretch marks! Anything is possible with Dermaclara.

Stretch mark treatment before and after