What is stretch mark?

Stretch mark, also known as stria or striae, is a type of scaring on the skin that occurs when the dermis, middle layer of the skin is torn. It is related to rapid weight gain or loss, growth during puberty, pregnancy and muscle building. When the stretch mark first appears it has a red or sometimes purple tone with a narrow and elongated line emerging on the surface of the skin, with time is tends to fade away acquiring a silvery-white tone, but is does not disappear completely.
Stretch marks tend to appear on parts of the body that store fat, including the abdomen, breasts, upper arms, underarms, thighs, hips and buttocks. The dermis, where the stretch marks occur, is the layer of the skin that gives support and helps the skin to keep firm and in shape, while the support within the dermis is in place it prevents the skin from tearing and avoids stretch marks from occurring.

What causes stretch marks?

Stretch of the skin on its on does not cause marks. Although it is connected to the rapid stretch of the skin, stretch marks are caused by changes in the level of the glucocorticoid hormone in the body. This can inhibit the skin cells from synthesizing collagen and elastin fibers. As a result the growing skin loses the support it needs to maintain its firmness and flexibility. This lack of support compels the dermis to break in places allowing the inner layer of the skin to become apparent, creating the stretch marks.

How to prevent and remove stretch marks?

It is very common for women to get stretch marks during pregnancy due to the changes in hormone levels that take place through out the pregnancy. Over 75% of women get some stretch marks during their pregnancy, mainly around the sixth and seventh month of gestation.

Although it is not scientifically proved, some moisturising creams and oils have shown effective results in lessening the appearance of stretch marks during pregnancy.

Trofolastin is an anti-stretch-mark moisturising cream marketed by Novartis in Spain, which has been through a controlled scientific study.

Trofolastin anti-stretch-mark moisturising cream has shown to prevent and effectively reduce the appearance of stretch marks when applied daily to the skin.

Trofolastin anti-stretch-mark moisturising cream contains centella asiatica extract, vitamin E and collagen-elastin hydrolysates.