Stretch marks, those lines etched into our skin. For young women, they can be hard to accept. What exactly are growth stretch marks? Why do we get these stripes during adolescence? Are there natural solutions to reduce them?
What are growth stretch marks? 📈
These small fissures form on our skin as its elastic structure breaks down. This happens when collagen fibres tear.
Who’s to blame? Cortisol, the glucocorticoid hormone produced by the adrenal cortex. These glands regulate the key elements that maintain our body’s physiological balance. However, when cortisol is overproduced, it compromises the suppleness of our skin.
At puberty, a surge of hormones triggers these unwanted marks. Rest assured, ladies — all women have them, and even men are not spared. They evolve through different stages:
- At first, they appear red or purple, which is the inflammatory stage;
- Then, they take on a white appearance as they heal.
They can appear in various areas of the body:
- Thighs
- Buttocks
- Breasts
- Arms
- Back
- Stomach
Rest assured, they don’t appear in all these areas at once, and teenage stretch marks tend to fade over time.
Why do stretch marks appear during adolescence? 🤔
When you have stretch marks at 15, it simply means your body is under several sources of stress:
- A changing body 👙
- School exams 🎓
- First loves 💖
- Sports competitions 🏅
Under constant demand, cortisol — produced by intense hormonal activity — reduces collagen production, that magical ingredient responsible for smooth, youthful skin. The skin stretches and cracks, making way for stretch marks. Fortunately, today there are wonderful solutions to pamper your young skin. Teenage stretch marks can fade, much to your delight.
How to reduce teenage stretch marks? Our secrets 🎁
The key word in the fight against teenage stretch marks is: hydration. According to Dr Kathleen Scemama, specialist in nutrition and aesthetics, preventing at-risk areas comes down to keeping the skin well moisturised.
Keep your elastic fibres supple to prevent them from breaking. To do this, introduce a massage routine and daily body hydration for a truly indulgent experience — and to achieve beautiful, resilient skin that can withstand the stresses of adolescence.
Opt for anti-stretch mark creams enriched with collagen and vitamins A and C. Plant-based oils also nourish the skin with their natural benefits, such as:
- Sesame oil 🌾;
- Sunflower oil 🌻;
- Sweet Almond oil 🍈;
- Jojoba oil 🌱.
Massage in circular motions over the most vulnerable areas until the product is fully absorbed, and enjoy the soothing, restorative scents. Thanks to their antioxidant properties, these oils significantly help prevent stretch marks from forming.
A second technique also works wonders: the pinch-and-roll massage. This method helps prevent stretch marks from appearing and reduces them once they’ve set in.
Now that you know our anti-stretch mark secrets, come closer! Here’s one last tip, just between us: keep active, drink plenty of water, and smile. Your stress will melt away, and stretch marks won’t stand a chance against your revitalised collagen fibres. Share these tips with your friends and put them to the test.
