What Causes Stretch Marks During Weight Loss?

Stretch marks are also striae. They form underneath the skin and are noticeable by the human eye. They normally occur when the body changes shape over a short period of time as in the case of pregnancy.

Significance

• Stretch marks are formed when the skin is stretched rapidly. They can also appear when the skin is already stretched and there is a sudden loss of weight.

Damage

• Connective fibers in the skin break down, which lead to a reduction in the skin's elasticity. This then causes scarring in the form of reddish lines.

Middle Layer

• There are three layers of skin. They are the epidermis, the dermis and the subcutaneous stratum. When weight is lost, the middle layer, which is the dermis, is affected and that is where the marks appear.

Shape

• When weight is gained, the skin accommodates the excess fat underneath by expanding. When this weight is then lost, especially quickly, the skin stays stretched out, which leads to the marks.

Prevention/Solution

• Being that elasticity of the skin is important for stretch marks, there are some vitamins that can be beneficial. Some of these include vitamin C, vitamin E, B-Complex vitamins, silica and zinc.