Stretch marks on the breast are a common occurrence in the human body that are often viewed as an undesirable sight. They are not harmful and do not cause any issues to health. Women are prone to experiencing stretch marks during the stage of puberty. Aso, as per studies, nearly 50% of females experience stretch marks during pregnancy.
What Are Stretch Marks?
Stretch marks are lines or marks that appear with the stretching of the skin. These marks are thick indented lines that are sometimes pink, purple, or red. They may be curvy in shape. Stretch marks can turn lighter or fade; however, they do not disappear completely without any trace. Let us look at the stretch marks on breast reasons and their treatment methods.
What Causes Stretch Marks on Breasts?
Stretch marks are simply a result of strain caused on the skin tissues when stretched. There may be various reasons for such stretch marks on the breasts. Listed below are some reasons for stretch marks on the breast skin.
1. Pregnancy Stretch Marks
As mentioned before, more than 50 per cent of women experience stretch marks on breasts during pregnancy. It is a common occurrence among pregnant women. The reason for these marks lies in the growth of breast size after about six weeks of pregnancy. An estrogen level rise causes the breasts and milk ducts to grow in size, which causes the skin to stretch. This results in the evident development of stretch marks.
2. Puberty Stretch Marks
During puberty, young women experience a triggered growth in breast size due to the body’s hormonal changes. This growth causes the breast skin to thin out in areas with maximum stretch, resulting in stretch marks. This is also possible in other body areas, such as the inner thighs, butts and hips. It is completely normal for girls to experience stretch marks during puberty.
3. Weight Gain or Weight Loss
When women gain weight, the fat tissue of breasts causes them to enlarge, resulting in skin stretching. Hence, fat gain causes stretch marks on the breasts. Further, women can experience stretch marks on the breast skin even with weight loss. This is due to the loss of collagen in the skin tissue, causing a loss of elasticity in the skin, which results in stretch marks.
4. Cosmetic Surgery
Cosmetic surgeries such as breast enlargement or breast implantation could result in skin stretching. It arises from skin repositioning or skin implantation. Stretch marks are very common in breast enlargement procedures, especially for women who are altering their breast size to more than one cup size bigger.
Treatment for Stretch Marks on Breasts?
Though stretch marks cannot completely disappear from breast skin, they can be turned lighter in the shade. There are a number of home remedies as well as surgical procedures for the same. Listed below are some treatment methods for breast stretch marks pregnancy causes:
1. Breast Skin Massage
Skin massage is known to cause an increase in collagen level and promotes blood flow. This stimulation of tissue growth could cause fading of the stretch marks. According to studies, to massage the breasts, you may use almond oil or an ointment prescribed for breast stretch marks in pregnancy.
To do so, gently apply pressure to the breasts using the fingertips and a repetitive circular motion. Doing this regularly can help relieve stretch mark density on the breast area.
2. Exfoliation
Removing dead tissues can help promote the growth of new skin and thereby cause a rise in the collagen level. You can use such a method to promote the skin tissues' regrowth. For this purpose, use a soft scrubber or brush. There are no studies that suggest exfoliation creates a difference in stretch marks.
3. Topical Medications
Over-the-counter creams for stretch marks on the breast are topical products of medications. These topical products usually act to bring about one of these changes to reduce stretch marks:
- Increase collagen level and elasticity of the skin
- Improve hydration
- Reduce the swelling, soreness, and irritation with stretch marks
Home-use products that can be used as alternatives to these synthetic topical medications include:
- Almonds
- Cocoa Powder
- Silicon gel
- Vitamine E
- Olive oil
Medical-Surgical Treatments
Apart from prescribed medication and home therapy treatments, some surgical treatments show a reduction in stretch marks with evidence. Listed below are some such treatments for stretch marks on the breasts:
1. Laser Therapy
Studies show that the use of laser therapy can reduce stretch marks by as much as 50 to 75%. This technique uses light beams to break the dead skin tissues of the affected area. This stimulates these tissues for regrowth, promotes blood circulation and lymphatic cell circulation and enhances immune system health.
2. Microdermabrasion and Microneedling
The use of the microdermabrasion technique involves blowing abrasive particles on the affected skin and then vacuuming them back. It is done by an expert and has evident results. Micro-needling involves damaging the skin to trigger a healing mechanism, hence producing elastin and collagen in a good amount. Studies show good results using this method.
3. Other Treatments
Apart from these, one can consider
- Collagen injections
- Acid peel treatment
- Radiofrequency treatments
These treatments are known for removing stretch marks on the breast skin.
How to Prevent Stretch Marks on Breasts
Although the complete prevention of stretch marks is not possible, some steps that can help prevent them include:
- Proper and regular exercise to maintain weight and flexibility.
- Consuming a healthy diet. A regular and complete meal can help boost skin health and prevent skin tissue damage.
- Drinking water in sufficient amounts to stay hydrated.
- Proactive use of stretch mark ointments after proper consultation with your doctor. This can work as a preventive measure during conditions such as pregnancy.
Conclusion
Red, purple, pink or white — stretch marks are a normal occurrence that you can manage effectively with care and attention. Proper use of home therapy treatments and attention to preventive measures can help eliminate them. Medical treatments can be considered, though they may have some side effects. Consult your doctor to go ahead with these.
Considering stretch marks as a normal change in the body rather than a despised occurrence will go a long way in helping you deal with them!
References
- Tina S Alster, April 2020; Microneedling Treatment of Striae Distensae in Light and Dark Skin With Long-Term Follow-Up - https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31403543/
- B.Farahnika, K.Park, November 2016; Striae gravidarum: Risk factors, prevention, and management - https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352647516300272
- S. Ud-Din, D. McGeorge, October 2015; Topical management of striae distensae (stretch marks): prevention and therapy of striae rubrae and albae - https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/jdv.13223
- Bernard Thobois, MD, October 2015; Incidence and risk factors for striae gravidarum - https://www.jaad.org/article/S0190-9622(15)01816-2/fulltext
