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Hi Ayman. If it is true that you were able to get rid of 30% of your stretch marks (striae) within a 7 month period then you are doing really quite well! The majority of pregnant women develop stretch marks usually during the seventh month of pregnancy, and rapidly growing adolescents and body builders, are also vulnerable to stretch marks. People who gain or lose excessive amounts of weight are particularly prone to develop these marks, as in your case.
Stretch marks develop in the skin's middle layer, called the dermis, an elastic layer consisting of fibers known as collagen that allows our skin to snap back into shape. When this layer is continuously stretched over a long period of time, the elasticity begins to weaken. The skin tries to reinforce itself by increasing the amount of collagen in the over-stretched tissue, resulting in reddish colored scars.
Most health care professionals suggest that stretch marks are a genetic trait and are not preventable but many people ascertain that massaging a moisturizing cream designed for softening skin tissue into the stretch marks on a daily basis (when they first develop) will help either help prevent them and/or help them fade faster. It is rare however to see stretch marks totally disappear after they have developed. This is due to the fact that damage has already occurred in the dermis.
Preventive measures are easier than the cure in this, and in most cases. That is why it is important to monitor weight gain and weight loss so that it is gradual and not drastic and damaging.
Most of the creams sold commercially are very ineffective once stretch marks are created and recent research on the value of Vitamin E oil for this and other skin problems shows that it is almost useless. Laser surgery is also another scam and requires numerous treatments before any results are shown. Not all skin types respond to laser surgery, especially the dry form.
Since ancient times the best forms of natural emollients for softening skin were olive, almond and sesame oils. There are other herbs that also have been found effective in healing damaged skin tissue such as comfrey and horsetail. Coca and Shea butter are also good but only when used as preventative creams.
Emu oil (from a large bird like ostritch) and an extract made from snails has shown to be somewhat effective for damaged dermis. I think thisproduct from snails is very interesting and makes sense because snails are always breaking their shells and repairing them with this natural biological compound. I believe there is a product called ELICINA that contains both emu and snail extract as well as comfrey and other herbs and oils that I mentioned that you might want to investigate by searching the web. I think there is also another alternative cream that contains some of these components called Rejuvana (or rejuvia?) and a few others that may be worthwhile.
Again, it is important to remember to begin using these moisterizers and herbals BEFORE stretch marks begin, however, CAUTION: pregnant women should be cautioned against using any moisterizers that contain allantoin, a liver toxin that traverses the placental barrier (found in comfrey root) and is absorbed through the skin into bloodstream.
I hope this helps.
In peace Roy
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