Red & White Stretch Marks – Difference & Prevention Strategies

Stretch Marks are one consequence of pregnancy that usually bothers the mothers the most since they are often permanent and are very difficult to hide. So today we decided to talk about different kinds of stretch marks and some prevention/correction strategies that can be adopted to improve the skin texture and help you feel more confident.

What are Stretch Marks

Skin is the largest organ in the human body and also the most visible one. Healthy skin makes us look beautiful while dull & dry skin diminishes our outer beauty. Stretch marks are a type of skin damage, that develops when the skin either stretches or shrinks rapidly due to a growth spurt or extreme weight gain/loss which causes tears in the skin layers causing it to reveal the blood vessels underneath giving it an appearance of a scar. The medical term for these stretch marks is striae.

Striae or stretch marks are a very common phenomenon during pregnancy when the to-be mother puts on a significant amount of weight over a short period of time causing the appearance of striae on various body parts like breasts, thighs, hips, lower back, and buttocks.

Medical Implication & location of Stretch Marks

Stretch marks are often detested because of the cosmetic blemish although they have almost no additional health risks. While some people report slight itching in stretch marks, most times it lasts only for a short period and has no long term implication.

The location of stretch marks can be different for individuals depending upon the area where the skin undergoes the most amount of stretching, however, some of the common areas include-

The thighs, buttocks, and breasts in adolescent females during the period of growth
the back & bicep area in adolescent males when the body undergoes quick growth.
the abdomen, breasts, and thighs in females during pregnancy due to rapid skin expansion.

It is important to note that females are at almost twice as much risk as males of developing stretch marks therefore extra precaution is needed to make sure that immediate remediation steps are taken at the first sight of a stretch mark. Studies have also indicated that females with a family history of stretch marks tend to be more susceptible to developing the marks themselves.

Difference Between Red & White Stretch Marks

The color of the stretch mark often depends upon the age of the mark. Initially, when stretch marks are formed, they are often red in color and generally settle into a white/silvery appearance as they age. Several studies have indicated that while it is very difficult to completely remove the appearance of a stretch mark, most of the treatment options available work mostly on red stretch marks only because the treatment becomes much more difficult as they age. Therefore, it is better to evaluate treatment options and start early.

Must Read: Best Home Remedies to Treat Stretch Marks

Stretch Mark Prevention

While Stretch mark prevention can unavoidable in certain conditions like pregnancy, there are some steps that can be taken in general to avoid formation due to other avoidable reasons –

Maintain Healthy Weight – Maintaining a healthy weight is the first and most critical step to avoid stretch mark formation. Since formation is usually due to rapid weight gain, it is better to adopt a gradual process even while bulking up (during exercise or while using supplements).
Stay Hydrated – A well-hydrated skin is always soft which prevents stretch mark formation because of increased elasticity.
Take vitamin C regularly – Vitamin C facilitates collagen production which helps in keeping skin strong and elastic. In addition to stretch marks, it also helps prevent wrinkles as an additional bonus.
Eat Healthier – In general, it is a good idea to reduce processed food intake and increase reliance on natural fruits and vegetables so that all body nutrient requirements can be fulfilled. Proper nutrition helps keep skin healthy resulting in more resistance to stretch mark development.
Keep track – Stretch marks often start with just a reddish mark on the skin. If you are susceptible to developing stretch marks then keep close track of any such appearance on the body and consult a doctor as soon as possible to get the treatment started.

We would love to hear back from you. Please share your views in the comment section and feel free to ask any questions. Cheers!