Stretch marks are long, narrow streaks, stripes, or lines that develop on the skin. They occur when the skin is suddenly stretched and are extremely common.
Anyone can develop stretch marks, although they tend to affect more women than men.
They can occur on a range of body parts, including the stomach, thighs, hips, breasts, upper arms, and lower back.
This type of scarring happens when the skin cannot resume its normal form after a period of intense growth, often due to pregnancy, weight gain, weight loss, or puberty.
For some, the marks may affect self-esteem, especially if they are visible and occupy a large part of the body.
Dr Cyprien Ntiringanya, a specialist in internal medicine at University Teaching Hospital (CHUK), Kigali, says stretch marks are a result of increase of cortisone in the system. Cortisone is a hormone naturally produced by the adrenal glands. However, too much of this hormone can make the skin lose its elasticity.
He says that stretch marks could also be a result of illness, especially for people who are overweight.
"Stretch marks typically appear as bands of parallel lines on your skin, they are of different colour and texture than the normal skin, ranging from purple to bright pink to light grey. Sometimes, stretch marks are itchy or sore,” he says.
He says that if one develops them, especially large ones, they should seek medical attention before further complications ensue.
He explains that when they are forming, they appear red but at a later stage, the colour starts fading away and the skin becomes wrinkled.
Ntiringanya notes that girls in their teens also tend to develop stretch marks, especially on their back, when they gain or lose weight abruptly. Additionally, women are at a higher risk of developing the marks during pregnancy and after birth due to stretched skin.
"For girls, this happens during puberty, as stretch marks appear due to increase in size of their body,” he says.
Gonzalue Niyigaba, a medic at University Teaching Hospital, Kigali, says that sometimes, use of drugs as ointment or tablets for a long time, diseases of the adrenal medulla, systemic diseases and physiological conditions such as mechanical stress, can lead to the formation of stretch marks.
On the other hand, he points out that lifting heavy things; like it is with weight lifters, can also cause stretch marks because of the added or reduced weight.
HOW TO GO ABOUT IT
Dr Ntiringanya says stretch marks often fade with time, and what is required is patience. However, he says there is treatment that can improve their appearance, but it’s hard to get a cure that can make the marks disappear completely.
He adds that there are ways to make the marks look ‘better’ for people who are insecure because of them.
"If one starts to treat them early, they will fade away slowly, while delay means they could become permanent marks. Pregnant women should start applying olive oil or other creams/lotion around their abdomen to prevent stretch marks from forming,” he advises.
Francis Kazungu, a general practitioner at Prestige Clinic in Kicukiro, warns against applying oils and other medication without finding out the root cause of the stretch marks.
"One should first check with a dermatologist to find out what caused the lines. This is because one could use the wrong medication which can lead to complications,” he says.
To prevent them from increasing, Kazungu says seeking aid early is vital, and using a prescription from a dermatologist who knows the cause could help.
On the other hand, he says if the stretch marks are associated with a physiological condition, using tretinoin cream as well as L-ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) is advised.
Also, he says, ointments containing vitamin A or E, or tablets containing vitamin A or E can help. However, these might not always be 100 per cent effective, he warns.
Dermabrasion and laser therapy are also used as treatment, Kazungu says.
"While using this kind of treatment, one has to be patient as it takes time for stretch marks to disappear completely. If the medication is not used consistently, as advised by a physician, then one will not be ble to notice the difference,” he says.
Ally Kayiranga, a medic at Orkid Clinic, Gisementi, says some patterns and other adrenal gland disorders can cause stretch marks by the increased amount of cortisone in your body.
PREVENTION
He says that although anyone can get stretch marks, being a woman, having a family history of stretch marks, being pregnant, and having a history of delivering large babies or twins, could make one more prone to developing stretch marks.
Also, some mediation can also make one develop stretch marks.
Private Kamanzi, a dietician and nutritionist at Amazon Complimentary Therapy in Remera, says stretch marks cannot always be prevented, however, trying to stay healthy and fit can help one avoid them.
For instance, he says, one way is to maintain a healthy weight by eating a balanced diet rich in vitamins and minerals.
He says that one should also consume a suitable amount of vitamins A and C which keep the skin healthy, as well as minerals like zinc.
Kamanzi says that examples of such foods include bright orange fruits and vegetables such as carrots, sweet potatoes, apricots and mangoes.
Other foods high in vitamin A include liver and leafy greens such as spinach and kale. He explains that such foods, especially those containing vitamin E, are vital when it comes to preventing stretch marks because Vitamin E is essential for healthy skin as well as the repair of damaged skin.
Also, Kamanzi advises that one should also aim for slow and gradual weight gain during pregnancy. They should drink six to eight glasses of water every day.
However, Kamanzi says that stretch marks pose no long-term health risks, and treatment is normally intended to improve the self-image of the person with stretch marks.
Experts share their views
If stretch marks can be avoided, then it’s better to take on the prevention measures rather than ignore them and then later dwell on treatment. This is because it’s not easy to treat them in a short period of time, and in some cases, they don’t go away.
Iba Mayale, Gynaecologist
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For those who have large and big stretch marks in areas that can be seen, using cosmetic concealers can be helpful as one continues with treatment. On the other hand, surgical procedures can also help remove the scars completely.
Aline Gihoza, Nurse
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Regular use of coconut oil will not only make the stretch marks fade, it will also aid in moisturising the skin, which keeps irritation at bay and prevents one from skin infections. Exercise can also help tone the body.
Bandora Iraguha, Medic — King Faisal Hospital, Kigali
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One should avoid using over the counter oils or medicines to treat stretch marks. Instead, they should first check with a dermatologist. This can help prevent allergies that may come with skin irritation due to wrong products. The right diet is also essential.
Erick Musengimana, Nutritionist
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