What Is Stretch Mark?
A stretch mark is the result of damaged connective tissues in the dermis, the second layer of the skin. Initially, they appear red, pink, or purple with a blue undertone. This is because the damage is still relatively new. Stretch marks are prone in body parts such tummy, upper arms, shoulders, back of the knees, breasts, lower back, thighs and hips. For example, women are more likely to develop stretch marks on the breast, abdomen and hips while the chance of stretch marks in shoulders and lower back is higher in men. There are times that stretch marks are localized to one area, say abdomen. Later on, the colored linear streaks will expand to other areas like thighs and hips.
Stretch marks do not signify any underlying medical condition. The only problem with stretch marks is the cosmetic issue of their eternal existence. They just fade into gray, silvery white or brown, but stretch marks never go away.
Causes of Stretch Mark on Hips
There are many causes of stretch marks appearance of the hips. First on the list is pregnancy. When you are pregnant, it is expected that you will gain an estimated additional weight of 20-25 lbs, although the extra weight comes in stages not altogether. Specifically, your hips will widen to prepare for the incoming labor. As a result, the skin in your hip area is stretched beyond its normal limit. The accompanying blood vessels, elastin fibers, and connective tissues are torn because of the excessive expansion. The result is the stretch marks on your hips. Also, pregnancy causes for the hormone cortisol to go up. Cortisol slows down the production of collagen, an important tool in making the skin elastic.
The second most common cause of stretch marks on the hips is puberty. During the growth spurt, production of sex hormones among girls leads to the widening of their hips. The skin is stretched to accommodate thicker and wider hips, hence the appearance of stretch marks.
Third on the list is rapid weight loss or gain. By nature, the human skin is elastic, but it has limitations. When you gain extra pounds as fast as 2 lbs. per week, you are bringing shock to your skin. The same situation applies to the rapid shedding of weight. Because of the swift shift of weight, you are giving time for your skin to adjust. The most common targets of weight loss or gain are body parts where there is plenty of body fat like hips.
Fourth, if your mother had a history of stretch marks on the hips, there is a huge possibility that you will inherit the same misfortune. Genetics plays a big role in the occurrence of stretch marks. If the older generation’s genes include stretch marks, the younger generation will probably get them, too.
Fifth, stretch marks on the hips if you have medical problems with your connective tissue, just like in the cases of steroid overdose and Cushing’s disease. The common factor of the two cases mention is the steroid hormone cortisol. Cortisol, as previously mentioned, has the capability to reduce the production of collagen. Collagen is the key to making proper and functional connective tissues, which bring elasticity to our skin. The higher the presence of cortisol inside your body, the poorer the elasticity of your skin.
When Do Stretch Marks on Hips Occur?
Stretch marks on the hips occur when there is excessive stretching of the skin in the hip area. This occurs in periods of pregnancy, puberty and rapid weight gain. Medical conditions like Cushing’s disease and prolonged steroid use also makes our skin less elastic, hence more prone to stretch marks on the hips.
Natural Methods for Reducing Stretch Marks on Hips
Maintaining your weight in the normal scale is the best natural solution for your stretch on the hips. When you are pregnant, just add 300 calories to your usual intake. If your hips are already afflicted with stretch marks, try using anti-stretch marks to minimize their appearance. Help your skin maintain or intensify its elasticity by nourishing your skin with moisture-rich creams and lotions.
Microdermabrasion, chemical peeling and laser therapy are possible medical treatment modalities for removing or reducing stretch marks on your hips. They are all abrasive, and it may take some time to see the effect. Less abrasive medical solutions are dermal needling and Endermologie where collagen production is highly stimulated.
Stretch marks on the hips look pinkish, reddish, purplish or bluish linear streaks. They are a result of torn elastin fibers, connective tissues and blood vessels inside the skin. They could be a product of collagen breakdown brought about by the excessive presence of cortisol in the body. Gaining an incredible amount of weight during pregnancy, puberty and on normal days is the most common culprit in the occurrence of stretch marks on the hips. Therefore, if you can manage to keep your weight normal, you are driving stretch marks away. Also, keep your skin hydrated at all times.