Although there is no way to prevent stretch marks from occurring, living a healthy lifestyle is your best bet for reducing the risk. If you do notice stretch marks on your legs, you might want to find out more about the causes and treatment options. Be prepared to tell your doctor about any other symptoms you are suffering, as well as what prescriptions or over-the-counter medications you are currently taking.
Appearance
Stretch marks first appear as pinkish, reddish or purplish lines, which eventually become glossy white or silver in color. At first, the marks look like flattened, thinned skin before the lines begin to increase in length and width. Stretch marks develop when the middle layer of the skin is stretched so much that the skin loses its elasticity. When this happens, connective fibers break causing the streaks. Even though stretch marks do not go away, they do become less noticeable with time.
Causes
Common causes of stretch marks on the legs include pregnancy, heredity, skin type and growth spurts that occur during puberty. Poor diet, obesity, extreme weight loss and gaining weight rapidly are other conditions that can cause stretch marks. Regular use of cortisone skin creams or steroid hormones may also be a contributing factor. Stretching of the skin and an increase in aldosterone are responsible for stretch marks that appear during pregnancy. Not all women get stretch marks, however, those with a family history are more likely to notice them after delivery. Stretch marks usually develop on the abdomen around the navel area, but they can also appear on the breasts, back, upper arms, buttocks and thighs.
Diagnosis
Most times doctors diagnose stretch marks by examining the skin, although blood and urine specimens, or imaging tests may be necessary to rule out certain medical conditions. In some cases, adrenal gland diseases, Cushing's syndrome, Marfan syndrome and other hereditary disorders can cause stretch marks on the body. Doctors at the Cleveland Clinic explain that pituitary disorders like Cushing's syndrome often present with clinical symptoms such as widespread dark red or purple stretch marks on the abdomen, upper thighs and arms. Thin and wrinkled skin, poor wound healing and bruising are other symptoms of the disease.
Treatment
While there are different treatment options available for stretch marks, how much the marks will fade depends on a person's age, diet and skin tone. Your doctor may prescribe a topical tretinoin cream, which is a derivative of vitamin A. According to the Mayo Clinic, this treatment is most successful when applied on newer stretch marks. In fact, doctors say that the age of stretch marks needs to be considered, as most treatments are only effective to some extent. Other treatment options include laser therapy or cosmetic surgery to remove stretch marks. Over-the-counter moisturizers are a simple treatment that may help to minimize the appearance of striae on the legs. Another noninvasive option is to use sunless tanning lotions to cover up the marks. Keep in mind that some products work better than others at masking stretch marks.
Home Remedies
Home remedies are sometimes used to help reduce the appearance of stretch marks. Lifting weights to tighten the skin can make stretch marks look smoother. You should also include foods in your diet that are rich in protein and vitamins C and E. In some cases, massaging the skin with olive oil or applying cocoa butter to the affected area a couple of times a day may help to shrink stretch marks.
Risks
Stretch marks do not cause any major medical problems. Nevertheless, some women find these lines on their legs unsightly, and therefore, emotionally distressing. Women are affected by striae on the legs more often than men, but the condition can affect individuals of any race. Pregnant and lactating women, body builders, adolescents, overweight individuals and people who suffer from Cushing's syndrome seem to be more at risk of developing this skin condition.
