They're a telltale sign you've had a growth spurt. Whether from pregnancy, weight lifting, puberty or weight gain -- stretch marks are never a welcome addition to our bodies. But why do only certain people get these unsightly lines?
"Something in your genetic makeup makes your skin less stretchy than other people's skin," explains Dr. Melissa Piliang of the Cleveland Clinic. "The other factor can be hormones, so at puberty when hormones are racing or pregnancy, birth control pills can affect the hormones enough to cause stretch marks as well. And then it's weight gain, it's the increase in muscle or fat under the skin"
The sudden increase in muscle or fat causes stretching and breakage of the skin, leaving a linear scar that eventually fades to white. Common problem spots are the stomach, breasts, thighs and buttocks. Stretch marks can also appear in the armpits of weightlifters.
"Once you have stretch marks, they'll never completely disappear" says Dr. Piliang. "But there are some steps you can take to prevent them from forming. Use a moisturizer if you're in one of these growth spurts so if you're pregnant, your child is growing rapidly or you're somebody who is trying to get a lot of muscle bulk, use moisturizers and try to maintain a sensible weight and gain weight at a slower pace."
"If your skin has grown too quickly", she adds, "laser treatments can fade or lighten stretch marks. Creams containing retinoids may also help."
A trip to a dermatologist is the best way to find a suitable solution to diminish these unpleasant markings.
Drivers usually think they have the right of way and bicyclists think they're the ones that have the right of way. Police are trying to set the record straight. Both bicycles and drivers have to follow
Drivers usually think they have the right of way and bicyclists think they're the ones that have the right of way. Police are trying to set the record straight.
Every pet owner knows a dog can get into just about anything around the house. One woman found that out the hard way when her dog ate a bunch of grapes! Turns out, that's one of the most dangerous foods
Every pet owner knows a dog can get into just about anything around the house. But these common snacks could be fatal for Fido.
A recent investigation revealed telemarketers and direct-mail companies sometimes receive 90 percent or more of the money people donate to charities.
A recent investigation revealed telemarketers and direct-mail companies sometimes receive 90 percent or more of the money people donate to charities. The non-profit organizations end up with just pennies on the dollar raised through solicitation campaigns, and it's all legal.
Wednesday, February 20 2013 4:29 AM EST2013-02-20 09:29:19 GMT
For eight years, Kahala Avenue neighbors have been at odds with billionaire Genshiro Kawamoto and in part two of our special report a solution between the war of the wealthy is difficult to find. Real
For eight years, Kahala Avenue neighbors have been at odds with billionaire Genshiro Kawamoto and in part two of our special report a solution between the war of the wealthy is difficult to find.
Imagine coming home from work, greeting the dog, and walking upstairs to find your son or daughter dead by their own hands. The suicide of a child is a very sensitive and sometimes divisive subject for
One 14-year old girl's family shares the story of her suicide, the pain it has caused and the efforts they hope will raise awareness about teen suicide in light of their personal tragedy.
Mice are one of the most resilient mammals living on the planet. Some people have them as pets, and they're also used in laboratory experiments. If wild mice get inside your house, they can potentially
If wild mice find a way inside your home, they can potentially cause thousands of dollars worth of damage to your drywall and insulation. They can also transmit a harmful disease which can cause death in humans.
What would you do if the warning sirens went off? Would you know where to go? We've got tips from the National Weather Service to help you stay safe no matter where you are.
What would you do if the warning sirens went off? Would you know where to go? We've got tips from the National Weather Service to help you stay safe no matter where you are.
You can call it 'riding out the storm', literally. "It's the whole bus underground," James Hunter explained. He and his wife buried an old school bus to make a creative storm shelter. "I'm ready for the
When it comes to staying safe during a tornado or severe thunderstorm, experts often recommend an underground shelter. But building one can cost a pretty penny. Find out how one couple found a way to save money on their shelter.
The FBI is warning that sexual perverts are stealing pictures of young kids from social media websites and are reusing them in alarming ways. Here's what you need to know to help protect children from cyber predators.
It's a social norm now for people to be on Facebook, and many parents like to share photos and updates about their kids. But that info can easily be used by predators and other cyber-creeps! America Now shows how to protect your children online.
Mitochondrial Disease is a terrible disease you've probably never heard of, but one that can dramatically shorten a child's life. Healthy babies who suddenly stop growing, loose muscle tone and start
Mitochondrial Disease is a debilitating medical condition most people have never heard of, but one that can dramatically shorten a child's life.
