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Are unsightly red streaks painfully forming on your skin? Stretch marks that are normally not bothersome, if only mentally, can sometimes cause uncomfortable sensations up to pain. And if you feel like you are the only one experiencing this problem, it is not. Many people, especially women during pregnancy, experience this sensation. But then where does it come from? Ultimately, why are stretch marks painful? In the first part, learn why stretch marks hurt. Then in a second part learn the solutions to avoid the pain associated with stretch marks.

Why do stretch marks hurt?

The epidermis is made up of two proteins, among others: collagen and elastin. They make it possible to give elasticity to the skin and therefore to make it resistant to stretching. The reddish streaks that are stretch marks occur when the stretching of the skin becomes greater than the collagen fibers can withstand. Indeed, when the skin exceeds its stretching limits, there is a break in collagen fibers in skin tissue. This therefore inflicts skin lesions which are manifested by red streaks called stretch marks.

Stretch marks start with a inflammatory phase of a few months when they are red, pink or purple. After several months, they will develop into scars and their color will change to become white and pearly. It is during the inflammatory phase that the stretch marks are painful. This can be explained for two reasons:

• When the skin cracks, it can be done over several days or even weeks. Indeed, for several days, the stretch mark hollows, grows and extends. On the surface, the skin that has undergone this too violent stretching will crack, become thinner and stretch. All these elements that the skin undergoes can lead to a weakening of the hydrolipidic barrier and therefore its dehydration, itching, a burning sensation or alternatively pain. Cracking skin is therefore a trauma for the latter which will repair itself as quickly as possible.

• The feeling of painful stretch marks, and even sometimes stretch marks that burn, will be caused by inflammation. In fact, inflammation is a reaction of the body that protects itself in the event of an injury. As with a wound, the skin will then try to fight the disease that eats away at it and to regenerate itself, causing pain and sometimes swelling. Usually, a stretch mark that hurts will only last a few days while the inflammation subsides. However, if the pain or burning sensation does not go away, do not hesitate to call your doctor.

But then, why aren't all stretch marks painful?

A stretch mark that hurts will depend on the fragility of the skin but above all his breadth. Indeed, the stretch marks of growth or linked to weight gain are due to a small and progressive stretch. Thus, the skin lesion will be done slowly enough to avoid having any pain. However, when the collagen breaks down precipitously after a sharp and rapid stretch, the lesion will be much more important and impacting on the skin. This is why stretch marks are often very painful during pregnancy, when the belly rounds very quickly and the skin stretches to limits never crossed. Sometimes stretch marks are also painful after childbirth, because the skin is still experiencing great upheavals. It will indeed quickly stretch, and this can cause pain.

Some skins are therefore more likely to see the appearance of stretch marks that hurt. It will be the thin and / or dry skin. These types of skin are more fragile and tend to lack hydration: one of the elements that can cause more painful stretch marks!

certain bodily places where stretch marks are located can also be more painful than others. This is for example the inner thighs which are subject to friction with clothing or when you walk and the legs touch each other. It will also be the belly where the skin is thinner and in direct contact with the t-shirt which also creates friction.

What to do to avoid painful stretch marks?

To relieve your painful stretch marks, you will first have to pay attention to certain everyday actions. Secondly, you will need to carry out an effective skincare routine.

The right actions to avoid stretch marks that hurt

Some daily gestures can be done for relieve pain related to stretch marks.

• Avoid scratching or touching the stretch marks that hurt you.
• Prefer lukewarm showers to showers that are too hot, which can burn the skin and cause even greater pain.
• After the shower, apply a soothing anti-stretch mark treatment or moisturizer. This will do two things. First, to calm the skin dryness associated with lime in the shower. And two, the shower opens the pores of the skin, which allows the treatment to penetrate well on clean skin!
• To relieve your painful stretch marks, prefer to wear loose clothing, which does not rub on your stretch marks. This particularly applies if you have the feeling of burning stretch marks. Indeed, this burning sensation can also be linked to friction between the skin and the clothes which cause overheating and sometimes even micro lesions. In addition, prefer clothes made from natural fabrics such as linen or cotton rather than synthetic materials. Also note that silk sheets are highly recommended since they are hydrophobic and therefore leave your skin breathed and hydrated.
• Finally, as soon as possible, let your stretch marks breathe in the open air. This will speed up healing.

The right products to relieve painful stretch marks

Anti-stretch mark treatments

To relieve stretch marks that hurt, it is important to get a cosmetic product that helps the body to heal and which has in its composition moisturizing active ingredients. Indeed, this will reduce inflammation and hydrate the skin that lacks hydration at the stretch mark. In addition to accelerating healing and reducing pain, anti stretch mark treatments will allow the skin to heal better. Thus, your stretch marks will be less marked and therefore less visible afterwards.

Please note:: We recommend that you adopt the most natural cosmetic product possible against painful stretch marks. Indeed, many cosmetic manufacturers are marketing products at exorbitant costs which are however full of chemical components, harmful to the body and without effective results. They are sometimes also dangerous and can cause serious illnesses since they contain chemical preservatives, endocrine disruptors, synthetic fragrances, and major allergens. So, if you want to check your beauty products, we recommend the application. INCIbeauty.

Natural remedies

1 - Vegetable oils

The vegetal oils will be perfect allies to soothe painful and burning stretch marks. Indeed, oils have absolutely incredible qualities to take care of your skin. They regenerate it, nourish it and hydrate it deeply. They will even allow the stretch mark to heal better and therefore make it less visible.

If your painful stretch marks allow it, apply the oil of your choice by massaging the area for 5 minutes.

The best oils to relieve stretch marks that hurt you will sweet almond vegetable oil et rosehip vegetable oil.

The benefits of sweet almond oil are as follows:

• protects against dehydration and maintains the skin hydrolipidic film.
• Softens the epidermis and strengthens tissues to prevent stretch marks.
• Stimulates the healing of skin cells.

The main benefits of Rosehip oil are:

• Repairs, diminishes and retouches to improve the appearance of unsightly streaks.
• Known for its important rejuvenating and regenerating virtues in order to get rid of stretch marks and scars.
• Maintains hydration and elasticity of the dermis.

2 - essential oils

Some essential oils are famous for their healing and anti-inflammatory properties. They will therefore allow you to reduce the pain of stretch marks. Being highly concentrated, essential oils cannot be used directly on the skin. To use them, it will therefore be necessary to dilute 1 to 3 drops in your anti-stretch mark treatment or in a vegetable oil.

The best essential oils to relieve painful stretch marks and to aid in healing are: Italian Helichrysum, True Lavender, Ladaniferous Cistus, Verbenone Rosemary, and Rosat Geranium.

Warning: choose 100% natural and organic essential oils. The Mycosmetik essential oils respect these prerogatives while being inexpensive.

If your stretch marks continue to hurt for several weeks, do not hesitate to seek advice from a doctor, pharmacist or dermatologist.