What can you do about stretch marks on your buttocks?
Although stretch marks are not dangerous to have on the buttocks, for many people they are a cosmetic nuisance. It can be difficult for some to show off in front of their partner, while others prefer to avoid wearing swimwear as summer approaches.
Fortunately, there are ways to make you feel much more comfortable in your swimwear.
There are various methods you can use to improve the appearance of your tiger stripes on your bum.
Nourish your skin with great ingredients
There's no miracle cure that will completely remove your stretch marks. Let's get that out of the way right away.
But with the right skincare regime, you can go a long way to significantly reduce their visibility.
Body Oil is a nourishing oil that is particularly suitable for improving the appearance of the skin - including reducing the visibility of age spots, scars and, not least, stretch marks.
The oil is rich in nourishing and active ingredients such as Tea Tree Oil, Squalane, Almond and Sunflower Oil, which in a unique combination gives your skin the best conditions for a more even appearance. It fights bacteria, deeply moisturises and is rich in vitamin E, an important source for improving the visibility of stretch marks.
Just like 75% of test subjects who saw improvements in their stretch marks, you can also use the oil to reduce the visibility of yours.
How to use the oil
The oil is easy to use and has a consistency that absorbs quickly into your skin so it doesn't feel sticky.
Massage a few drops into the skin on your buttocks 1-2 times a day on clean skin. Wait a few minutes to make sure the oil has dried completely before getting dressed.
If you want results with the oil, you need to use it regularly. And you'll need a lot of patience, because your tiger stripes won't become less visible overnight. Only after regular and diligent use for 12-20 weeks will you see improvements in your skin.
Get rid of your tiger stripes with microneedling
Microneedling creates thousands of micro-channels in the skin with sharp needles that penetrate deep into the skin.
This creates controlled 'damage' and stimulates the skin's natural healing process. This creates fresh, new collagen and improves and tightens the skin's elastic fibres.
This makes stretch marks appear smaller as the skin surface becomes more even in appearance.
Minimise your stretch marks with laser treatment
Another treatment to improve the appearance of your stretch marks on your bum is with laser.
Fraxel is particularly suitable here thanks to its effectiveness and minimal recovery time. The laser does not break the outer layer of skin, but goes deeper and creates small "injuries" in the subcutaneous tissue with great control and precision.
This causes the skin to kick-start a repair process while reactivating the elastic fibres. The skin regenerates, making it tighter and smoother.
Can you prevent stretch marks on your buttocks?
Stretch marks are a skin problem that is unforgiving, as they can appear out of nowhere. This is also why they can be difficult to prevent. However, you can take preventative measures to minimise the risk of stretch marks on your buttocks or elsewhere on your body.
Here are three pieces of advice:
- Avoid major weight gain. Eat a healthy and varied diet - and exercise daily. It doesn't have to be intense strength training or hour-long runs. 30 minutes of movement a day can help keep your weight stable
- Steer clear of smoking. Smoking is one of skin's worst enemies. It can make your skin more flabby and less elastic - and that can affect your skin's appearance and ability to stay supple.
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Keep a good skincare regime. It's not scientifically proven that you can prevent stretch marks by slathering your skin with creams and oils. However, with the right skincare regime, many people find that their skin becomes more supple thanks to the right amount of moisture.
What are stretch marks and what do they look like?
Stretch marks are cracks that appear in the skin when it is subjected to excessive and stressful overstretching.
They appear as stripes in the skin, for example on your buttocks, and are blue-violet or pinkish in colour when they first appear. Over time, the colour fades and becomes more like the surrounding skin or more whitish.
Stretch marks aren't dangerous, but they are a common cosmetic problem that can affect self-esteem. They can appear anywhere on the body. But the buttocks are particularly prone to stretch marks.
Your skin appears as cracks because there is damage to the subcutaneous tissue. Once the damage is done, it can never fully recover. This means that stretch marks on your bum and elsewhere on your body will be a faithful companion for the rest of your life.
You'll have to learn to live with them to some extent, but you don't have to settle for ugly, cracked skin. There are various options to reduce their visibility, making them less pronounced and in some cases almost invisible.
You'll learn more about care and treatment options later, once you understand why you get stretch marks in the first place.
Why do stretch marks appear on the buttocks - and who gets them?
You get stretch marks on your buttocks - and elsewhere on your body - when it grows faster than your skin can keep up.
Skin is made up of fibres. They are elastic - just like a rubber band. The skin's own natural elasticity can therefore withstand a lot of pressure and stretching without cracking. But if it is subjected to extreme overstretching, the "elastic" will eventually become slack - and this can show up as cracks in the outer layer of skin.
Stretch marks often appear on the bum, stomach, breasts, back and thighs - all the places where the skin is stretched the most.
Both men and women can get stretch marks on the buttocks and other parts of the body. Who gets them is closely related to the causes of the tiger stripes. We take you through the different causes here.
Weight gain
If you gain a lot of weight - often over a short period of time - the elastic fibres in your skin won't be able to keep up with the strain of your fat deposits expanding and putting pressure on your skin. That's why being overweight is one of the biggest reasons why you get stretch marks on your bum.
It can be due to an unhealthy lifestyle that causes you to gain a lot of weight. But it can also be due to pregnancy, where most people gain weight - some less, some a lot.
Growth and puberty
During puberty, the body undergoes major changes. It grows at a rapid pace and for many, this can lead to stretch marks on the buttocks as the fibres and skin can't keep up with the rapid growth.
The same can happen with intensive strength training, where the muscles in your buttocks get bigger in a very short time.
Weight loss
Just as gaining weight can cause stretch marks on your bum, so can losing weight.
If you lose a lot of weight over a short period of time, the elastic fibres won't be able to keep up with the changes in your body and skin - which can lead to the characteristic tiger stripes.
Hormonal changes
If your body is going through hormonal changes, it can show up as stretch marks on your buttocks.
The changes in your hormones can affect the elasticity of the fibres. This typically happens in connection with hormonal changes during pregnancy or puberty.
Genetics
Does your mum have stretch marks on her buttocks? Then you're more likely to get them too. Genetics can play a role in whether or not you get stretch marks.
While some people have a strong skin type with strong elastic fibres, other families may have the opposite tendency.
