Stretch marks on the bottom – causes, treatment and prevention

Stretch marks on the buttocks

Not only pregnant women get them: stretch marks on the bottom . About 75 percent of all women and many men are afflicted by the annoying stripes. And there’s no chance of ever getting rid of them entirely. Preventive measures will help to prevent their occurrence in the first place.

What are stretch marks on the buttocks?

Stretch marks don’t just appear on the abdomen . Not infrequently, the white, elongated stripes are also noticeable on the buttocks. They then not only occur sporadically, but immediately multiply. From a medical point of view, stretch marks are tears in the connective tissue of the lower layer of skin, known in technical terms as the subcutis. In medicine, these tissue tears are called “striae cutis distensae”, which means something like “strips from overstretching the skin”.

Stretch marks can spread from the buttocks to the thighs. They are colloquially referred to as stretch marks. While women are most prone to cracking of the skin during pregnancy, stretch marks also occur outside of pregnancy. And that’s not all that rare: stretch marks on the buttocks become noticeable in over 70 percent of all women at some point. And men are not spared either.

causes

The connective tissue of the skin contains collagen fibers that are responsible for the elasticity of the tissue structure. Once the hypodermis is expanded very quickly, the collagen fibers tear. This means: The heavy load on the subcutaneous tissue leads to an injury in the deeper skin layers, which appear as stripes on the skin’s surface. The stretch marks initially have a slightly reddish to bluish appearance because the blood vessels in the lower layers of the skin are now exposed due to the injury.

Gradually, the cracks remain as white or pink scars . During pregnancy , stretch marks appear as a result of drastic weight gain. In addition, pregnancy hormones ensure that the connective tissue is greatly loosened. Irrespective of pregnancy, weak connective tissue, rapid weight gain or weight loss, use of medication, illnesses and puberty-related growth spurts are all to blame for the development of stretch marks. Overall, weak connective tissue is the main trigger for stretch marks. And this in turn is genetic or hormonal. This is why even very slim women and men who tend to have a narrow buttocks can suffer from severe stretch marks.

When to the doctor?

From a clinical point of view, stretch marks on the bottom are not a cause for concern. They do not represent a clinical picture that needs to be treated or treated. If there are no other symptoms, there is no need to consult a doctor. Pregnant women or people who are very overweight often suffer from stretch marks on their buttocks. In addition, people with connective tissue weakness also complain about stretch marks. They are felt to be uncomfortable because they are seen as an optical flaw. In most cases, stretch marks on the buttocks increase over the course of life.

If the person concerned develops a psychological strain, a doctor should be consulted. Mood swings , irritability or a permanent reduction in zest for life are reasons to present the symptoms to a doctor. Cosmetic therapies can be initiated to alleviate the existing stretch marks. They include laser therapy or skin peeling. However, they cannot prevent the appearance of new stretch marks on the buttocks.

As a preventive measure before stretch marks, some people use creams or ointments that help strengthen connective tissue. If itching occurs or skin reddens, do not use the care products. There is an allergic reaction in the body. A doctor can carry out a test that shows which ingredients must be avoided in the future.

diagnosis and course

Because a tear is basically an injury in the lower tissue layers of the skin, stretch marks on the buttocks are initially reddish or bluish in color , like a bruise . The stripes then take on a white color or a delicate shade of pink. Over time, these cracks will fade away. Yet they remain visible to the naked eyealways clearly visible. Because weak connective tissue tends to overstretch quickly, tissue tears often appear as a multitude of parallel streaks. With increasing age, wrinkles also form on the buttocks. And even then you can still see the stretch marks on your bottom. Stretch marks don’t look any different from scars caused by injuries. However, since they lie below the surface of the skin, they can be identified without a medical diagnosis.

treatment and therapy

Once stretch marks appear on the buttocks, they don’t go away. There is currently no really effective therapy. The best way to avoid unsightly stretch marks on your bottom is to prevent them early on. Gradually, however, the stripes become paler. And there are methods to speed up this process. The development of stretch marks can be reduced with a regular plucking and brushing massage.

Vitamins and minerals , which have a cell-renewing effect, can also support the regeneration of the skin. The vitamins A and E make the tissue elastic and make the bottom appear firm again. Scar-fighting ointments, for example with marigold as an active ingredient, can also be used to reduce stretch marks on the buttocks. Many sufferers, especially women, suffer greatly from the increased formation of stripes on the buttocks.

Medical treatment is not necessary, however, as stretch marks do not pose a health risk. Still, many patients want to get rid of stretch marks as quickly as possible. The dissatisfaction can go so far that those affected feel a rejection of their own body. If stretch marks are no longer a cosmetic problem but also affect your mental well-being, then laser treatment is recommended. Thanks to innovative laser methods such as the Fraxel laser, stretch marks can be treated to a large extent. This technique is a treatment with flashes of bundled light rays. The warmth of the light stimulates the hypodermis to form new tissue cells.

Another method is treatment with meso-electroporation. Here, special extracts are channeled into the tissue, which stimulates the formation of new collagen fibers. As a result, the skin regains its elasticity. However, the costs for the treatments must be borne by the patient himself, because stretch marks are “only” of aesthetic concern. And despite the new techniques, the desired result can usually not be achieved because stretch marks cannot be completely eliminated.

Prevention

There are various preventive measures to prevent those annoying stretch marks from appearing on your bottom in the first place. A plucking, brushing or oil massage, which is carried out consistently every day, is particularly effective. The massage promotes blood circulation in the skin and makes it more elastic. It is therefore advisable to start early, for example right at the beginning of pregnancy or alongside a diet .

Oils such as almond or jojoba oil have a regenerating effect and contribute to the elasticity and moisture content of the skin. In general, it can’t hurt to regularly take the time for a massage to stimulate blood circulation in the skin. Physical exercise and a balanced diet should also not be underestimated, as they are the best recipe for healthy and strong connective tissue.

Dorothy Farrar

Hello and welcome to my Health Guide & Encyclopedia! My name is Dorothy Farrar, and I'm the founder and main author of this platform.
My passion for health and wellness started at a young age when I became interested in the connection between the food we eat and the way we feel. This fascination led me to study nutrition and dietetics in college, where I learned about the importance of a balanced diet and the impact of various nutrients on the body.

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