Predisposing Factors for Stretch Marks
Stretch marks are a usual woe among people who are conscious about their skin beauty. We know that, they are formed due to the rupture of collagen and elastin fibers on account of the excessive stretching of the skin. They initially appear in areas like abdomen, breasts, and thighs as pinkish linear markings and later become silvery white depressed lines and gradually fade with time. In dark complexioned people they are seen as white and in light complexioned people, as pink bands of varying length and breadth.
The appearance of stretch marks is predisposed by certain factor:
- Type of skin: Dry skinned people are more prone to stretch marks whereas oily skinned people are less affected.
- General health: Deterioration of general health can result in the loss of strength and elasticity of skin.
- Nutrition: Nutrients like proteins, vitamins, iron and zinc are essential for the skin and their deficiency may lead to the formation of stretch marks.
- Hydration: Adequate intake of water is very essential for the elasticity and softness of skin. Less water in take makes the skin dry that results in stretch marks.
- Environmental factors: Climatic changes can influence the integrity of the skin.
- Hereditary factors: Stretch marks can be a familial problem in certain cases. Ladies having this problem usually give a history of the same in their mother.
- Food intake: Those who take excess of fatty food are prone for this condition due to sudden weight gain.
- Exercise: Lack of regular exercise can increase fat deposition and reduce the tone of muscles, both of which result in stretch marks. However rigorous exercises can result in this condition as in the case of body builders.
- Medicines: Excess intake of steroid drugs and use of steroid ointments can predispose stretch marks
- Occupation: Over work can predispose stretch marks.
- Miscellaneous causes: Use of tobacco, alcohol, malnutrition, stress, diabetes etc can also be contributory factors. Caffeine, an alkaloid present in coffee can increase the chance for stretch marks.