BEAUTY: SCARY STRETCH-MARKS

Does your bum carry the telltale signs of youthful insecurities that forced you to embark on an intensive body building program, hoping that when you’re big, people will look at your body and forget about all the other things in your life that might need some attention?

Don’t worry, most guys go through that, but unfortunately when you build too fast (which naturally happens after you’ve started eating six to eight meals a day, supplemented by high calorie drinks in between), the skin stretches too fast, causing the fibres in the dermis to break.

This breakage leads to red lines appearing on the surface of the skin, which later on often turn purple and eventually silver. (You’re excused if you’ve switched on the light, have dropped your pants and are currently inspecting your rear end!)

Stretch marks, usually located in the most inconvenient locations, can ruin your best efforts at looking good. They can cause a dramatic psychological blow to those who despite having lost weight, look in the mirror and realise that the telltale signs of once being imitators of “The Hulk” will always be with them. The good news is, we live in an era of medical breakthroughs and in the case of stretch marks, it’s called Carboxytherapy.

Carboxytherapy is a new miracle gas – a novel and effective way in treating stretch marks. Heated medical Carbon Dioxide is introduced into the dermis via a small needle. The body interprets this as an oxygen deficit and responds by increasing blood flow to the area.

An increase in certain growth factors encourages production of new blood vessels, which provides a surge of oxygen and nutrients to the treated area. The resultant improved blood circulation with increased oxygen concentration and long term collagen stimulation facilitates the strengthening of the dermis, which is a necessary component for a healthy, stretch mark resistant skin.

“…your current lifestyle may play a role in the future development of stretch marks.”

After four to eight treatments, the appearance of stretch marks is markedly improved. Carboxytherapy is more effective on newer stretch marks – those with a red appearance, not silver. Older, silver-looking stretch marks can also be improved, but may need more treatment sessions at two to four weekly intervals.

There is also a fantastic treatment device that can be used in the privacy of your home, called the Dermaroller. The Dermaroller is a great way to complement the in-office treatments. It basically is a home mesotherapy procedure using the Home Care Dermaroller.

The Dermaroller Concept is undoubtedly the most highly efficient device for transdermal delivery, and an almost side-effect free concept for skin rejuvenation including stretch marks. The Dermaroller removes loose and dispensable scales on the stratum corneum, leaving the skin feeling softer, with a finer texture. Little needles 0.15 to 0.18 mm in length have a definite physiological effect on the epidermis.

They stimulate the proliferation of keratinocytes that transform into keratin. The keratin finally forms “dead cells,” called scales or squames. Cell stimulation results in a faster renewal cycle of the epidermis. Keratin scales have therefore less time to age and to become grey. Another bonus of the epidermis stimulation is an increase of the uppermost layer in thickness by 30% on average. If the Home Care Dermaroller C8 is used on a regular basis the epidermis is increased in transparency and thickness; the simple visible answer to reduce the appearance of unsightly stretch marks.

If you’re one of those lucky guys who don’t have any of these unsightly little lines on your gorgeous body, do note that your current lifestyle may play a role in the future development of stretch marks. (Sorry to be the party pooper at this point.) Diet is the critical factor in controlling them, with water being the most basic factor in keeping the skin supple and moisturised. It is recommended that you avoid beverages that contain caffeine.

The efficacy of any salon and home treatments may be maximised by regular exercise, a reduction in carbonated drinks and caffeine intake, avoiding alcohol and smoking and minimising exposure to sunlight, all while increasing the daily vitamin C intake to 1000mg per day. Take care of yourself, and you will help take care of your skin.