Can you get rid of stretch marks on the back?
Depending on the cause, stretch marks can appear on the abdomen, thighs, buttocks, hips, breasts, upper arms or underarms. Often these are places where the body stores large amounts of fat.
Many people suffer from stretch marks on the back, both on the upper back and lower back. They appear as purple, pink or blue streaks on the skin, which fade and lighten in colour over time.
Although stretch marks are not necessarily nice to have, they are not dangerous.
However, the cosmetic aspect is crucial for many and can affect quality of life. For example, many people avoid wearing swimwear or short shorts and sleeves because of the marks on their body.
Would you like to get rid of your tiger stripes? Read on to find out more about treatment options.
Treatment for stretch marks on the back
Unfortunately, there are no proven treatments for stretch marks.
But the lack of scientific evidence on treatments doesn't mean you should give up.
Although stretch marks cannot be completely removed, there are many treatment options to counteract and reduce their visibility.
Do you suffer from stretch marks on your back or elsewhere on your body? Find out what you can do below.
Natural and nourishing skincare
To minimise stretch marks on the back, natural and nourishing skincare can go a long way. It can help reduce their visibility.
Body Oil from Australian Bodycare is a skincare oil with Tea Tree Oil that improves the appearance of stretch marks, scars, cellulite or age spots.
Treat your skin to the unique combination of softening and nourishing ingredients such as Tea Tree Oil, Almond and Sunflower Oil and Squalane.
All help to fight bacteria, soften the skin and leave it looking moisturised and healthy. It also contributes high levels of vitamin E, which improves skin health and smoothes stretch marks and scars.
The oil gives you healthy, moisturised skin and is easily absorbed into the skin without leaving a greasy feel.
Apply a few drops of oil to the lower back or lower back, massage in well and leave to dry before getting dressed.
75% of test subjects experience an improvement in the appearance of stretch marks - and you could be one of them.
Laser treatment
Laser treatment for stretch marks is available from a dermatologist.
The treatment involves the skin stimulating the production of cells in the connective tissue. This allows the damaged fibres to be replaced and the elasticity of the skin to be restored.
Micro needling
Another treatment option is micro needling, which utilises the body's natural self-healing properties.
A dermatological roller (a roller with tiny needles on it) is used to target the skin, stimulating new cell growth. This will result in the elasticity of the skin being improved by, among other things, the formation of new collagen.
Tips for preventation
A healthy and varied diet with vitamins and plenty vegetables is good for the body and therefore also for the skin. It is therefore good advice to follow to prevent stretch marks.
However, while you can try to avoid obesity and rapid weight gain, there is no guarantee that you will not get stretch marks.
Creams, ointments, oils and lotions add extra moisture to your skin and never hurt - so it's always worth a try before deciding on other, more drastic treatment options.
What are stretch marks?
Although many people associate stretch marks with pregnant women's growing bellies, stretch marks are not just something pregnant women suffer from.
Stretch marks, called striae in Latin, are injuries that occur in the elastic, middle layer of the subcutaneous tissue. When the skin is stretched quickly and forcefully, stretch marks appear.
This can be caused, for example, by weight gain during pregnancy or a poor diet.
Why do stretch marks on the back occur?
Your skin can withstand a lot without cracking because it is generally very elastic. But if the elastic fibres in your skin are stretched too much, they lose their elasticity.
Not everyone gets stretch marks. This is simply due to differences in skin elasticity and skin type.
Some people have more elastic skin, while others have an increased tendency to develop stretch marks - for example due to genetics. But there may be many other factors at play.
Below you will learn more about the reasons why stretch marks appear.
Puberty
It's not just pregnant women who suffer from stretch marks. In fact, the familiar tiger stripes are a common problem among teenagers.
During puberty, young people grow a lot - and typically their bodies can easily keep up. But sometimes it can happen so fast that the skin cracks. As a result, some young people develop stretch marks on their back or elsewhere on their body.
Weight gain/-loss
If you gain weight quickly, your skin has to stretch in a very short time. This can put strain on the skin, which can't keep up.
Bodybuilders and weightlifters are very prone to developing stretch marks because of the large muscle mass built up over a short period of time. The strain on the skin leads to a greater risk of developing stretch marks.
Conversely, if you lose a lot of weight over a short period of time, the skin may also struggle to keep up with the changes.
Pregnancy
Rapid weight gain can be caused by pregnancy, for example. Particularly towards the end of the pregnancy, the skin stretches even more, causing stretch marks to form.
The risk of stretch marks is higher in overweight pregnant women, younger pregnant women and multiple pregnancies (more than one foetus).
Inbalance in hormones
Hormones have an impact on the appearance of stretch marks on the body and the elasticity of the skin. An imbalance in hormones can increase the risk of stretch marks.
Changes in hormone balance typically occur in adolescents during puberty and in pregnant women.
