Stretch marks tell the story of our skin and are super widespread: it is estimated that over 80% of women and 30% of men have to deal with stretch marks.

Preventing them and above all fighting them is never easy but with the Stretch Marks Serum and the Stretch Marks Butter as your prodigious allies, a little perseverance will be enough to obtain visible results!

Who doesn't want to have flawless, compact skin? In the age of social media it seems that everyone must necessarily adapt to an ideal of perfection that is as impossible as it is illusory. In reality it is inevitable that in the course of our life marks, spots, wrinkles, pimples, cellulite, small and large scars and, yes, even the annoying and unpleasant stretch marks appear on our skin.

All these 'defects' are actually elements that characterize us, that distinguish us from others and that tell our story. So, even if they are most likely not at the top of the list of things we like most about ourselves, stretch marks are also an integral part of our person and they too contribute to transmitting our uniqueness to ourselves and to others!

It goes without saying that no one should feel uncomfortable showing their stretch marks: in this we can take a cue from the many celebs who on their social profiles reject any toxic stereotype of beauty and proudly show us their 'imperfections'.

But what are stretch marks really? Are there any natural treatments to minimize stretch marks and to prevent new ones from appearing? In this article we will try to clarify and propose solutions: let's go!

Stretch marks: what they are and why they form

Stretch marks are alterations or lesions of the skin, which take on the appearance of linear streaks, more or less thick, which interrupt the compactness of the skin.

As soon as they appear, stretch marks are purplish-red in color and are usually heralded by a feeling of tightness and itching. Over time, if they are not treated, they take on their definitive appearance and the red color fades into a less visible pearly-white color, very similar to that of old scars.

Stretch marks are a beauty flaw that affects most people, especially the female population, but what are the processes that determine the appearance of stretch marks?

How are stretch marks formed?

Stretch marks are atrophic skin changes that form when the middle layer of the skin, called the dermis, is stretched too much or too quickly causing some collagen and elastin fibers to break.

These lesions are real tears that from the dermis are also transmitted to the epidermis, the most superficial layer that makes up our skin, on which the stretch mark then appears.

The reddish color is dictated precisely by the inflammatory process that occurs in the dermis when a new stretch mark appears, which also explains the typical discomfort that usually accompanies them. Over time, the skin tends to produce new fibers to repair the damage suffered: the process is very similar to what occurs when we get a wound which, after healing, gradually takes on the appearance of an old scar.

The areas most subject to the appearance of stretch marks are those that undergo changes in volume more easily: in women we find them in particular on the hips, breasts, thighs, buttocks, arms and belly, while men have them mainly on the chest , abdomen and in the upper part of the buttocks.

In general it is quite difficult to make a stretch mark fade when it appears, so a good way to prevent them is to know the factors that lead the dermis to undergo this stretching. Let's see them together!

What are the causes of stretch marks?

The dermis is composed of a large number of collagen and elastin fibers which give the skin its characteristic elasticity. In fact, under normal conditions, our skin is elastic enough to handle the natural physiological changes of our body without particular difficulties.

However, when the variation becomes consistent or particularly rapid, our skin may not be able to fulfill its task and tear in the way described above.

In fact, the moments in our life in which the tissues are put to the hardest test, and therefore those in which it is easier for stretch marks to appear, are:

• Adolescence: during puberty the tissues are often under stress due to the rapid physical changes dictated by hormonal variations. For example, the growth of the breasts and the development of the hips can cause tension in the skin and the consequent appearance of stretch marks.
• Pregnancy: expectant mothers undergo equally rapid changes and, especially during the last trimester, the increase in the belly can lead to the appearance of stretch marks on the lower abdomen.
• Diet: When gaining or losing weight it is always best for the process to be as gradual as possible. One of the reasons is precisely the fact that the skin failing to keep up with our weight fluctuations can be damaged causing the appearance of stretch marks.

In addition to these factors we must add the genetic propensity. In fact, the appearance of stretch marks could be caused by poor skin elasticity which, from the outset, makes us disadvantaged in the prevention of blemishes.

Even a 'weakened' skin that lacks vitamins, mineral salts or hydration can be more prone to the appearance of stretch marks, for this reason it is always recommended to follow a balanced and varied diet, taking care to take the right amount of liquids.

How to prevent stretch marks

The best way to act against stretch marks is to start with proper prevention. In addition to following a balanced diet, as we have already seen, and avoiding stressing the tissues as far as possible with sudden weight fluctuations, a great way to prevent the appearance of stretch marks is to take care of your skin.

Products with a rich texture such as creams and moisturizing butters come to our aid which, if applied consistently, have the advantage of nourishing the skin and improving its elasticity.

Oils are also particularly suitable for the prevention of stretch marks: for this purpose the most effective are Sweet Almond Oil and Rosehip oil.

How to treat stretch marks

Stretch marks have the bad reputation of being permanent imperfections or at least of being very difficult to get rid of. In reality this is not entirely true: when it is still in the inflammatory state and therefore when it is reddish in color, the stretch mark can still be remedied.

The secret is to intervene promptly, during the very first inflammatory phase, and to use cosmetic products with an intensive and targeted action with iron constancy: in doing so you will stimulate the production of collagen and elastin and therefore considerably limit the evolution of the stretch mark, making it much less visible and almost indistinguishable from 'healthy' skin.

A completely different matter are long-standing stretch marks, the now white ones, which on the contrary are practically impossible to get rid of but can still be attenuated both to the eye and to the touch. Here too, to see results, targeted products are essential and consistency is a must!

But what are these 'targeted' products? We have just a few that may be right for you!

Stretch marks Serum and Body Butter: I don't fear stretch marks!

At La Saponaria we have always had the well-being and health of your skin at heart. For this reason, over the years we have created a large number of natural products that take care of the skin of the face and body, making it soft, hydrated, healthy and luminous.

However, the time had come to direct our efforts against a super fierce and truly persistent enemy: stretch marks!

This is how, after many studies and various tests, the Stretch marks Serum and the Stretch mark Body Butter were born, two products designed to act individually but which give their best when used together, in a targeted, complete and synergistic action of stretch mark treatment.

At the base of the formulation of the Stretch marks Serum there are two prodigious active ingredients already used since ancient times in traditional Chinese medicine: they are the Astragalus Membranaceus Extract and the Codonopsis Pilo Sula Extract, a mix that we have decided to rename the Repairing Phytocomplex.

Both extracts contain a high concentration of saponins and polysaccharides which help the skin to inhibit the inflammatory process which is the main cause of the formation of new stretch marks. It is therefore an excellent ally in the prevention of blemishes, but not only!

The Repairing Phytocomplex also acts on already formed stretch marks, promoting tissue repair, counteracting free radicals and making the skin toned and compact.

The formula of the Impact Serum is also enriched with Vitamin E, Vitamin F and Phytoretinol which perform a regenerating action, promoting the synthesis of new collagen, but also antioxidant, moisturizing and elasticising. Finally, the low molecular weight hyaluronic acid acts in depth going to tone, plump and hydrate the skin.

The Impact Serum has a light texture, easy to apply and quickly absorbed. And almost as quickly you will notice the first improvements! The tests carried out have given surprising results: already after 28 days of continuous use, morning and evening, stretch marks are visibly reduced and the skin overall appears more compact!

The second product, Stretch marks Body Butter, has a rich and concentrated texture that deeply nourishes the skin, making it super elastic and compact. This makes it excellent for counteracting the formation of new stretch marks, for treating those that have just appeared but also for smoothing and attenuating old ones.

Active Butter can boast highly respected ingredients in its formula such as Vitamin E, Vitamin F and a super mix of 8 precious oils: rose, almond, apricot, sunflower, pomegranate, olive, castor and wheat germ help skin microcirculation and have an antioxidant, emollient and repairing action. Finally, the extracts of Calendula and Bisabolol are added, perfect for soothing and calming the inflammation due to the formation of new stretch marks.

Both the serum and the butter are ideal for use during puberty, pregnancy and in case of weight changes.

They are dermatologically tested on sensitive skin, do not have perfume allergens and are formulated with 'safe' ingredients that respect and take care of both the expectant mother and the baby she is carrying!

To make the treatment as effective as possible, it is recommended to apply a quantity of Impact Serum proportional to the area to be treated and once it has been absorbed, massage the Active Butter. Repeat this operation morning and evening for about 2 months and you will notice a visible improvement in stretch marks: the red ones will regress until they disappear while the white ones will become thinner and the whole skin will look more beautiful and compact!