Scars & Stretch Marks
Scars:
A scar is really a mark that is left on the skin when wounds such as cuts, scrapes and burns heal themselves. When this happens, normal, functional skin tissue is replaced by connective scar tissue.
Wounds heal themselves in three overlapping phases: inflammation, cell proliferation and maturation. During the inflammatory stage, blood vessels contract and the red blood cells clot the wound while the white blood cells collect in the wound to help fight infection.
First, cells known as phagocytes gather in the damaged area in an effort to clean away any contaminants and protect the site from infection. Next, during the proliferate stage; special cells migrate into the wound beneath the scab. Here they begin to grow and granulation tissue fills the area. During this stage, new capillaries form to ensure blood supply to the new tissue. This gives the tissue its red color and granular texture. Next, the wound begins to contract and the granulation tissue is soon covered with a layer of epithelial tissue (new skin cells). This process pulls the sides of the wound together. During the maturation stage new collagen is formed to create a scar. It takes at least a year for the wound to regain its strength and reach its final size and shape. It is interesting to note that a scar is only about 80% as strong as the original tissue.
The fibrous protein, collagen, gives the new scar its characteristic bumpy appearance. With recovery the collagen is broken down and the scar flattens and finally shrinks.
Stretch Marks:
Stretch marks are really a form of a scar seen as tiny tears in the skin's dermis layer. These tiny scars vary in color from light pink to dark purple. Over time, usually many years, stretch marks will fade in color but the actual scars remain.
Stretch marks are created when the skin is stretched close to its breaking point. Loss of collagen and elastin causes stretch marks as well as a loss in skin tone and overall texture.
When there is a breakdown or loss of collagen and elastin during excessive skin stretching, the marks show through to the top layer of the skin, the epidermis.
What causes Stretch Marks?
Hereditary factors can come into play - so some people can be genetically prone to getting stretch marks.
Some women have dryer, less elastic skin than others - making their skin more prone to stretch marks.
Rapid weight gain or loss, especially during and after pregnancy, can be a major contributor to the development of stretch marks.
In young children, stretching of the skin during rapid weight gain or rapid weight growth can be a major cause of stretch marks.
Stretch marks are not gender specific. Men as well as women are susceptible to these unsightly marks.
What treatments are available?
It must be clearly understood that there is nothing that will dramatically improve the appearance of scars from deep wounds that have been with you for many years.
However, for small scars and many stretch marks, several good treatments are available.
Vascular lasers is a relatively new technology that appears to have merit. This type of laser emits a tiny, but powerful, pulse of light that is selectively absorbed by the pigment within the red blood cells and also by the collagen protein in scars and stretch marks. The light is generated by stimulating the laser medium with an energy source. This results in a beam of laser light with precisely the required frequency and wavelength. This laser is then directed at the area to be treated using a pencil-like hand device. The laser energy stimulates the scar tissue to reorganize and grow more normally depending upon the severity and color, stretch marks may take six months or more to lighten toward a more normal skin tone. You should first contact your health professional before trying vascular laser treatments.
There are several, new topical preparations that claim to reduce the appearance of scars and stretch marks. Some of these may well be worth a try.
Try Flaxelle Skin Cream for Scars & Stretch Marks
With regular use, this highly researched formula based on clinically tested Polynesian Tamanu Oil and Botanical Darutoside can dramatically reduce the appearance of small scars and stretch marks - when used as directed. Also, ideal as a stretch mark preventative when used before bearing a child. |
