Many people have white lines on their legs, stomachs, buttocks, etc. What is this? Does it affect health?

Unannounced Inspections

Your thighs, belly, arms...

Are there any white or purple streaks?

Although it doesn't hurt

But just curious

Where do these textures come from?

Does it have any effect on the body?

These lines are actually expansion lines, also called "fat lines" and "growth lines", because they are called stretch marks caused by pregnancy.

This is because the skin is stretched excessively in a short period of time, causing the elastic fibers in the dermis to break , forming crack-like lines.

Stretch marks usually appear in areas where the skin is thinner, the fat is thicker, and the areas are easily stretched, such as the abdomen, thighs, buttocks, and upper arms .

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Initially, stretch marks are darker in color, usually red or purple . Over time, they will gradually fade and turn white .

Image source: Wikipedia

The formation of stretch marks on the skin is often affected by various internal and external tension factors.

Internal factors

It is caused by the rapid stretching and tearing of the dermis.

Puberty, weight gain, weight loss, pregnancy, etc. can all lead to tearing of elastic fibers.

Image source: Photo Network

External factors

Intense exercise, muscle development, long-term oral corticosteroids, long-term topical steroids and Cushing's syndrome can all lead to it.

Long-term use of glucocorticoids can lead to the formation of stretch marks, which may be related to its inhibition of fibroblasts to form collagen, elastin and fibrillin, thus affecting the firmness of the skin.

The increase in fat and muscle may lead to tears in the dermis and epidermis.

Image source: Photo Network

There are some "magic tools" on the market that are advertised as being able to reduce stretch marks, as well as methods such as applying coconut oil and olive oil to reduce stretch marks, but in fact they are not very effective . There is currently no method that can completely eliminate stretch marks.

If stretch marks are caused by rapid weight changes, puberty, or pregnancy, people with a good attitude can completely ignore them and think, out of sight, out of mind. After all, stretch marks do not affect your health .

If stretch marks are caused by disease or medication, treatment is required under the guidance of a doctor .

For those who love beauty, although it is impossible to completely eliminate stretch marks, some treatments can be used to lighten them and make them less obvious.

There are so many treatment methods, such as fractional laser, plasma, radiofrequency therapy...

1

Single treatment modality

Fractional laser 👇👇👇

Fractional laser produces tiny beams arranged in an array. When applied to the skin, they form multiple tiny thermal damage areas, called micro-treatment zones (MTZ).

Since each MTZ is surrounded by undamaged normal tissue, the treated area heals quickly, and a ring-shaped tissue coagulation zone can be formed around the MTZ. The ring-shaped tightened collagen remodeling continues to produce multi-center micro-contractions, promoting the synthesis of new collagen fibers, and achieving obvious immediate and long-term skin tightening effects .

Fractional laser is safe and effective in improving skin texture with few adverse reactions.

Other single treatment methods include: excimer laser, pulsed dye laser, copper bromide laser, intense pulsed light, ultraviolet light, radiofrequency and plasma...

2

Combination therapy

Common combined treatments include carbon dioxide fractional laser combined with pulsed dye laser, carbon dioxide fractional laser combined with fractional microneedle radiofrequency, pulsed dye laser combined with monopolar radiofrequency, microneedle radiofrequency combined with autologous serum stem cells, plasma combined with autologous serum stem cells...

3

Topical tretinoin

Topical retinoic acid can stimulate collagen synthesis and should be used daily for several months. However, irritant dermatitis may occur, so it needs to be used under the guidance of a doctor.

Also, please note that you should not use retinoic acid externally during pregnancy or preparation for pregnancy .

The key to solving stretch marks is prevention

Avoid sudden, drastic weight gain or weight loss

Exercise moderately and maintain a healthy diet

Statement: This article is a medical-related educational popular science article. It does not involve specific treatment methods or medical behaviors and cannot replace hospital visits.

Experts who reviewed this article

References

[1] Hu Juan, Shen Weimin. New progress in the treatment of stretch marks[J]. Modern Medicine and Health, 2016, 32(11):4. DOI:CNKI:SUN:XYWS.0.2016-11-025.

[2] Shen Shengxian, Guo Jian, Hong Xudong, et al. Network Meta-analysis of different treatments for improving stretch marks[J]. Chinese Journal of Aesthetic Medicine, 2021, 30(2):6.

[3] Zhou Ying, Wu Xianjie. "Research and treatment progress of stretch marks." Chinese Journal of Dermatology and Venereology. (2018): 935-939.

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