With summer right around the corner, a lot of people are focusing on the way that they look, both in their favourite summer outfits and beachwear. If you are unhappy with the way that your body looks, you are not alone, as a lot of people wish they could tighten this ‘bit’ or get rid of unwanted fat in ‘that’ area. Luckily, there are a range of cosmetic treatments designed to help, and this includes body contouring.
A lot of people know that body contouring is an effective way of tightening and toning the body, but not everyone knows that body contouring treatment can also reduce the appearance of stretch marks. In this blog, we have taken a look at what stretch marks are and how body contouring can help.
What Causes Stretch Marks?
The majority of people have a stretch mark or two, and some people have a lot. You might have noticed them appearing during pregnancy or after rapid weight gain, or when you started to build your muscles at the gym. You might have gained them during childhood when you had a sudden growth spurt, or even when you lost weight and your body shape changed. In fact, you will probably struggle to find anyone who doesn’t have at least one or two small stretch marks. They are nothing to be embarrassed about and they are certainly not harmful, but they still have a hugely negative impact on a lot of people’s confidence and self-esteem. This is especially true if you have a lot, if they are extremely visible or if they are in an area that’s often on show.
Stretch marks are formed when the body changes shape quickly, and the skin struggles to adapt to this change. That is why you will often find stretch marks on areas such as the stomach, thighs, breast and buttocks and other areas where fat tends to gather. Stretch marks are a lot less common in areas that don’t change shape when you gain or lose weight such as your hands, feet and face. When the skin stretches rapidly – for example, if it’s accommodating a growing baby bump or weight gain – and there isn’t enough collagen to make the skin elastic enough to do so, the skin can become damaged and tear. This makes the skin a lot thinner and more transparent, and blood vessels begin to show. It’s these blood vessels that form the red and purple colouring of a new stretch mark. As time goes on, these blood vessels contract and stretch marks fade into something that looks more similar to a scar. However, it’s unlikely that stretch marks will ever completely disappear without cosmetic intervention.
Can You Reduce Your Chances of Getting Stretch Marks?
Unfortunately, there is no guaranteed way to prevent stretch marks entirely, and some people are just more prone to developing them than others. However, there are several things that you can do to reduce your chances of getting them and to minimise their appearance if you do.
- Maintain a Healthy Weight – One of the biggest causes of stretch marks is rapid weight gain or rapid weight loss, which is why maintaining a healthy weight is important. This can be done with a balanced diet and regular exercise. If you do decide to gain or lose weight, stretch marks are less likely if it’s a gradual process.
- Stay Hydrated – To ensure that your skin is as elastic as possible, drink plenty of water and keep your skin hydrated. As stretch marks are formed when skin is not elastic enough to keep up with the changing shape, hydration is key. This is also why moisturising is so important, which can prevent skin from becoming dry and more likely to tear.
- Stay Protected in the Sun – Too much exposure to the sun can damage your skin, which reduces its elasticity and makes it more likely to become damaged as a result of changes in weight. To reduce the chances of overexposure to the sun causing stretch marks, always use SPF.
Of course, doing all of this could still result in stretch marks, especially if you are someone who is genetically more likely to get them. If this is the case, you might consider reducing your stretch marks with body contouring.
Can Body Contouring Reduce the Appearance of Stretch Marks?
There are a range of treatments that claim to reduce the appearance of stretch marks, but few are as effective as body contouring. Body contouring is an effective way of transforming the body, getting rid of problem areas and creating a reshaped, refined and sculpted look. Whether you’re unhappy with unwanted pockets of fat that won’t budge, or you want to boost your muscles to create a more toned appearance, there is sure to be a body contouring treatment that works for you.
At The Body Work Clinic, we offer a wide range of body contouring treatments including CoolSculpting Elite, Ultherapy, EMsculpt and Exilis Ultra 360. These all work in slightly different ways, but each of them focuses on improving the contour of the body. When it comes to reducing your stretch marks, Exilis Ultra 360 and Ultherapy are two of the best body contouring treatments available. This is because they lift, tighten and firm the skin, which can reduce the appearance of stretch marks. As the skin is tightened, imperfections are often removed, including stretch marks.
Body Contouring at The Body Work Clinic
At The Body Work Clinic, we provide a wide range of cosmetic treatment options, many of which are centred around body contouring. We understand the difficulty that comes with being unhappy with your physical appearance and not being happy with what you see when you look in the mirror. If you have stretch marks that you would rather be without, one of our professional body contouring treatments could be the answer. Find out more by getting in touch with one of our specialists.