Temperature control is one of these, governed by varying blood flow, the activity of the sweat glands, and the density of the subcutaneous fat layer. Others include the transmission of information to the brain through the nervous system, manufacture of vitamin D from the action of sunlight on the skin, and perhaps most obviously, providing a barrier against possible damage from alien organisms.

Our perception of the condition of our skin can play a major part in our psychological health, reflecting as it does so much of our background and history. In a society in which we are constantly bombarded by manipulated and airbrushed images of perfect bodies, a healthy self image can be hard to maintain.

For this reason its understandable that both daily wear and tear, and illnesses and conditions which damage the skin are the subject of considerable attention: gaining a tanned skin, getting rid of stretch marks and other perceived blemishes, remedies for spots, dandruff, and so on.

One everyday experience which can have a startling effect on the skin is pregnancy. Some women may well experience the fabled glowing skin, but many will certainly have the less pleasing consequences of increased oestrogen and melanocyte-stimulating hormone inclining them to varicose veins and darkened pigmentation, and growth in the second and third trimesters causing stretch marks.

This last problem is one which remains after pregnancy. As hormone levels return to pre-pregnancy levels, the associated hair growth, fluid retention and darkening of the skin all disappear too. But the damaged epidermis is a less reversible condition, and getting rid of stretch marks or striae gravidarum is not so simple.

Amongst the recommendations for helping the healing process and to remove stretch marks are creams commonly containing aloe vera, vitamins including A and E, collagen and cocoa butter, with constant research leading to new products appearing regularly on the market. Similarly, new treatments are being added at the more extreme end of the market, with laser treatment, surgery, and the less invasive but comparatively untested ozone bath.

In this particular case, time and healthy life choices are a great healer, with stretch marks fading to an enormous extent with the passing of months. Actually getting rid of stretch marks is a much more tricky aim, although some products claim to be able to heal the tissue whilst the damage is still fresh.

Don’t wait any longer to Remove Stretch Marks – Do it now!

There are various medical names given to stretch marks but, most commonly, doctors refer to them as striae. Stretch marks (or striae) start life as thin streaks (usually a red or purple color) and they then change, over a period of time, to look like silvery lines. They also have a different texture to normal skin.

Although you can get stretch marks almost anywhere on your body, they are most likely to develop where you have most fat. Because your skin is under most strain where fat is stored, this means that most people who get stretch marks find them on their legs, hips, bottom and tummy.

If stretch marks suddenly appear, for no apparent reason, it may be wise for you to consult a health professional. Although very rare, they may indicate the presence of a medical condition known as Cushings syndrome and you should consult your doctor regarding appropriate diagnosis.

One of the main areas where stretch marks appear is below the navel (or tummy button) and, although this may seem to be a drastic solution, these may be permanently removed through a cosmetic surgery procedure known as a tummy tuck (or abdominoplasty to give the process its full medical name).

The majority of women who become pregnant will develop stretch marks (usually during the last two or three months of pregnancy) as their skin stretches. However, its important to remember that diet can help control the appearance of these marks just because you are pregnant does not mean that you should eat for two.

Using very expensive skin preparations which promise to remove all trace of stretch marks can be not only a waste of time, but also a waste of money. Lots of people are now turning to less expensive ways of reducing the appearance of these marks such as improving circulation by regularly massaging the affected areas.

Common sense dictates that if you keep your body healthy, your skin will be healthy too and this will mean that the dreaded stretch marks dont appear so prominent. Drink plenty of water and follow a sensible, balanced diet and you will not only feel better, but also improve the appearance of your skin.

Stretch Mark Removal is possible – Remove your stretch marks in weeks not years.

According to the experts, stretch marks can happen to anybody and are common in times of speedy growth. This means teenagers who are in the process of sprouting up rapidly (especially boys) can get these unattractive marks, and between 75 and 90% of pregnant women will also get them. Stretch marks also commonly afflict people who lose or gain weight very quickly, and weightlifters and manic gym goers who like to pump heavy weights are also at risk.

There are a number of remedies available for removing stretch marks, depending on how bad your problem is, how much you want rid of your stretch marks and how deep your pockets are! Creams and lotions are the most wallet-friendly options, with the most expensive being a surgical operation or laser therapy. Surgery is not an option to be taken lightly and is not suitable for everyone, but can give impressive, permanent results although there is obviously going to be quite a lot of swelling and postoperative discomfort. Laser therapy is less invasive and usually only gives mild discomfort and slight redness of the skin.

Stretch marks do not hurt when they appear, although they can make your skin feel a little tight and itchy – a common problem during pregnancy, as your entire body goes haywire getting ready for your baby. Stretch marks that appear with no warning should always be checked out by your doctor as there is a slight chance that you may have developed a disease called Cushing’s syndrome, where your endocrine system produces too much of a natural steroid, damaging the lower levels of skin and causing the tell-tale lines of stretch marks to appear.

Cushings syndrome happens when the adrenal glands within the body produce too much cortisol, a hormone that helps to regulate blood pressure and the immune system among other things. Too much cortisol causes problems such as diabetes, high blood pressure and the thinning of the skin as well as allowing damage to occur within the dermis, thus causing stretch marks. Cushing’s disease must be ruled out before any stretch mark removal is undertaken, as serious side effects could result. The good news is that Cushing’s disease is rare, and it is most unlikely that your stretch marks are a symptom of this problem.

Discover the best Stretch Mark Removal products and get rid of your stretch marks today.

Much time has been spent and much research has been done on how to remove stretch marks, with some remedies being more successful than others, and it is true to say that the majority of women will sustain stretch marks at some time during their life, whether stretch marks appear in adolescence or in pregnancy; and just under half of all young men in their teens will also get them.

Males and females get stretch marks in different places, with women suffering from the visible marks most commonly in the pelvic area, around the tummy and down the thighs, while men tend to get them showing around the pectoral area and on the shoulders, with the arms also being affected – often if the muscles there are bulking up rapidly through exercising with heavy weights (made worse by taking steroids), or during puberty.

Men are usually just as keen to remove stretch marks as women are, as stretch marks, (or striae distensae to give them their Sunday name), while normally being harmless, are unsightly and can cause embarrassment and lack of self-confidence in the sufferer.

Stretch marks occur when excessive levels of glucocorticoid hormones are produced within the body, preventing the supportive elastin and collagen layers from doing their job of repairing and protecting the dermis (lower levels of skin).

If insufficient collagen and elastin are produced, the skin levels below the surface, known as the dermis, are likely to tear; and to make things worse top layer of skin becomes thinner making the damage visible and the skin appear to have an unsightly rippled effect.

Stretch marks can have several courses, the most common being pregnancy and the rapid growth spurts of adolescence, but people who are obese or lose or gain large amounts of weight frequently can also be susceptible, with the most serious cause of stretch marks being a medical condition called Cushing’s disease.

It is not easy to remove stretch marks completely as the damage to the skin is in the lower layers, but products containing the Vitamin A derivative, retinol, have been proved to be very effective in firming and improving the texture of the skin, thus disguising the marks, and there are surgical techniques that are expensive but effective, such as cosmetic or laser surgery.

If you believe Stretch Mark Removal is impossible – think again.