As you probably know, stretch marks are caused by a variety of factors, including pregnancy, weight gain, and even puberty. But why are they turning red again?
Why are stretch marks red?
Many people have stretch marks on their skin, which is a type of skin condition. They grow because the skin is being stretched very quickly. First, stretch marks that aren’t old enough for us to see are often red. All of these colors are also possible for them, as well.
- pink
- purple
- blue
- black
Stretch marks fade over time, becoming white and then disappearing.
Stretch marks happen when the skin is stretched, and the red marks that form are more common in parts of the body that are more likely to stretch. The abdomen, thighs, and hips are some of the parts that can be hurt. Stretch marks can show up anywhere.
No, I’m not interested in the color of new stretch marks. There are many different causes and ways to treat these conditions, so keep reading to find out more.
Red Vs. White Stretchmarks
People should think of new stretch marks as minor skin injuries. Your skin gets a little red and swollen as your body’s tissues try to adapt to the stretching effects. This is why stretch marks that have just formed look red.
The redness doesn’t last. Stretch marks fade away over time, becoming white and less noticeable as they heal and get better.
Causes Of Red Stretchmarks
While red stretch marks are often linked to being overweight, they can be caused by a lot of other things. Many of the other causes are linked to underlying health problems.
There are a lot of things that can cause stretch marks, like:
- Weight can change. A lot of weight can put a lot of stress on your skin, which has to stretch to fit the extra weight. Red stretch marks can appear anywhere on the body, based on where you gain weight. Also, stretch marks can form when someone loses a lot of weight quickly.
- Pregnancy. During the second and third trimesters, you may see a lot of growth happen quickly, especially in the abdomen, thigh, and hip area, Increased pressure can make the skin stretch, which makes red stretch marks appear.
- It’s going to get bigger very quickly. Both weight training and bodybuilding can leave red stretch marks on your body if your muscles grow a lot in a short amount of time.
- Breast augmentation is a procedure that makes the breasts bigger. Breast augmentation can make the skin in the chest area look stretched out, which is not good. Stretch marks may happen more often if your skin is very elastic or if you get a lot of implants of a certain size.
- Corticosteroids. While corticosteroids are meant to be used for a short time, long-term use can have negative side effects. Some of them can make your body swell, which can make you fat and stretch your skin. Hydrocortisone bought over the counter can make your skin thin, which makes you more likely to get stretch marks.
Common Locations Of Red Stretchmarks
Stretch marks that are red can be found in a lot of places, like the following:
- abdomen
- hips
- thighs
- buttocks
There are a lot of stretch marks on the arms and legs of athletes who have a lot of muscle growth quickly.
Treatments
Stretch marks fade on their own over time. There is no way to get rid of them completely. There are some dermatological treatments, on the other hand, that can help to lighten and hide red stretch marks on the skin.
Consult your dermatologist about some of the stretch mark treatments that are out there, like the following:
- Creams that have retinoids in them. When retinoid concentrations are even small, they can help lessen the appearance of red stretch marks.
- Light and laser energy are used in some treatments. These procedures use quick bursts of light to kill skin cells on the surface. They may help reduce the redness and inflammation that comes with stretch marks. Because laser therapy isn’t right for everyone, you should talk to your doctor about all the risks and side effects before you start.
- Microdermabrasion. If you want to get rid of the top layer of skin, this procedure will use small crystals to do it. This will not completely get rid of stretch marks, but it will cut down on their redness and make them look less noticeable. Professional procedures may be the best way to get rid of stretch marks, even though they can be done at beauty counters for less money and with a shorter recovery time.
- The chemical peeling. These treatments also remove the top layer of skin, which makes the results more dramatic. Chemical peels make your skin look better and hide stretch marks.
As a last resort, you can use the tool on Healthline to help you find one in your area.
At-home medicine
Not all treatments for stretch marks work, and some are too expensive and don’t come with a guarantee that they will work. Instead, you could try out some homemade remedies. The following are some ways to lessen the appearance of red stretch marks:
Over-the-counter (OTC) creams
Over-the-counter stretch mark creams can be bought (OTC). A lot of moisturizers can be found in cocoa butter, coconut oil, and vitamin E; these are just a few.
They may make the skin feel softer and more elastic, but there is no proof that they help with stretch marks. However, red stretch marks are more likely to work than faded white stretch marks.
You should massage these products into your skin so that they can work better, says the American Academy of Dermatology. In addition, they can take weeks to finish.
Self-tanners
These OTC products, which are also called “sunless tanners,” come in lotions, creams, and sprays and can be used to get a fake tan. These can be used to hide stretch marks and make them look less noticeable, making them less noticeable.
To get rid of stretch marks, don’t tan in the sun. This can cause skin aging and cancer, as well as make your stretch marks darker and more noticeable.
Glycolic acid
People may use other products that have Glycolic acid in them. This is a chemical peeling agent. The goal is to make stretch marks less noticeable on the skin.
Body makeup
If you want to hide your stretch marks while they get better, you can use body makeup. Consider waterproof makeup to keep your makeup in place when there is a lot of humidity and heat. To keep the desired effect, you must keep applying the product.
Diet
If you want to get rid of red stretch marks, there isn’t magic food that will do it. The Cleveland Clinic says that certain nutrients can help improve skin health and lessen the appearance of stretch marks. Vitamins A, C, D, and zinc are also in there.
Do you want to try a few of these home remedies? You can find body makeup and creams with glycolic acid on the internet to hide stretch marks.
Final Thoughts
Red stretch marks are a common side effect of pregnancy, weight gain, and bodybuilding. While they eventually fade to a lighter color, there are treatments that can help reduce the redness.
If you’re not comfortable with any of the above treatments, you can also try home remedies like OTC creams and self-tanners. These might not completely get rid of stretch marks, but they can help make them less noticeable.
If you’re concerned about the appearance of your stretch marks, talk to your doctor or dermatologist. They can offer additional treatment options and let you know what to expect as your marks continue to heal.
