Any time a person gains weight or even large muscle mass in a short amount of time they can have stretch marks. The reason that stretch marks appear is that the skin is being stretched at a faster rate than the elasticity of the skin can accommodate. It can also be that the person’s elasticity may not be able to stretch as much as is needed for the weight gain or muscle gain. Now, you are ready to lose the weight that you gained for whatever reason but you are wondering what can be done about weight loss and stretchmarks. Sorry to say, the stretchmarks will not disappear once you lose the weight.

Your skin has three layers, the outer layer known as the epidermis, the middle layer known as the dermis layer, and the third layer known as subcutaneous stratum. Stretchmarks occur in the middle layer of your skin. This is the layer of skin that is needed to help your skin keep its shape and elasticity. Since, it is the middle layer of skin instead of the outer layer it makes it even more difficult to treat.

When you gain weight during pregnancy or while developing large muscle mass the skin stays stretched for a longer period of time. This makes the connective fibers in that layer of skin break and of course, lose its elasticity.

Stretchmarks may not look great, but they are quite harmless. The problem with stretchmarks is that they can appear any place on your body where you gain weight or muscle at a fast rate. The most common areas include abdomen, thighs, breasts, buttocks, arms, and legs. When these stretchmarks are in more visible areas of the body, they can be quite embarrassing. Men, women, and even children can get stretchmarks. Puberty has enough problems without causing stretchmarks, but due to growth spurts many adolescences have to endure this cosmetic problem along with acne.

The best way to lose weight is gradually, this can help to ease stretchmarks. As you are losing weight you can also use such products as Palmer’s Cocoa Butter to help to fade them. If you know you are going to gain weight such as during pregnancy, you can begin using the cocoa butter long before it is time to lose weight. This may also aid in keeping stretchmarks to a minimum. Other products that have some success on fading stretchmarks include Shea Nut Butter and vitamins such as Vitamin E.