Cover Stretch Marks
Best Ways to Cover Stretch Marks
Stretch marks can make a person self-conscious and sometimes it may be helpful to try ways to cover stretch marks for some special occasions. While there is no long term cover possible for stretch marks there are some techniques that are effective for hiding these scar-like marks for short periods of time.
Stretch marks are the silver-white scars that are found on the skin that are usually the result of pregnancy or obesity. Men and women can be affected by stretch marks because the marks are really a result of the skin being stretched by any rapid growth. While human skin is known for its elasticity and can handle some stretching without scars, in pregnancy and sudden excessive weight gain there is an unusually fast paced and constant stretch on the skin. The dermis tears during the sudden growth and stretching of the skin and it is initially a purple or reddish mark on the skin. The dermis is the middle layer that actually helps the skin stay in a certain shape and so this tear is something that causes permanent damage. The purple and red marks slowly fade and what remains is a whitish or silvery toned mark. Stretch marks are referred to by dermatologists as striae. Stretch marks tend to feel soft and yielding and the texture is usually different from the rest of the skin in the area.
Stretch marks are usually found in parts of the body where there is scope for fat storage and so the abdomen, thighs, breasts, upper arms, under arms, hips and the backside are some of the most likely places where stretch marks appear. Stretch marks are a purely visual or cosmetic problem and do not indicate anything about the strength or general health of a person. However, stretch marks can sometimes severely affect the emotional well being of a person as it can undermine a feeling of comfort or confidence in the body. So, if you are dealing with this problem, you should consider tactics to cover stretch marks that you believe are visible and not let it dampen your spirit or enthusiasm.
Keeping your skin hydrated is the golden rule of skin health. This applies when you are dealing with stretch marks also. Drink plenty of water and fluid and eat juicy fruits and this will increase the suppleness of your skin and aid with any technique you choose to use to cover stretch marks.
Gently removing the dead cells from the skins surface is called exfoliating and this can help in making your stretch marks less noticeable sometimes. As this is once again a step that should be part of any good health care ritual, you cannot really go wrong by exfoliating regularly. Be gently though while using a pumice stone or bath puff and vigorous rubbing will do more harm than good. You will replace stretch marks with bigger bruises if you use too much force or aggression.
Skin and make-up artists recommend the use of cocoa butter to cover stretch marks. While the cocoa butter is not in itself a cure or a concealing agent it can serve as an adhesive which will help when the make-up is applied. Cocoa butter again offers the benefit that it helps make the skin smooth and supple.
Bronzing powder can be used over the marks to make the skin tone seem more even. By blending and using different shades of bronzing powder, you should be able to cover stretch marks in such a way that there whitish color is less prominent. Some people worry that this trick will work only if you have a tan but in truth you are only using the bronzing powder to lightly tint your stretch marks and so you do not need to have a tan.
You can also try using a water-proof concealer to cover stretch marks especially if you are likely to go into the water for a swim. This way the make-up will not run off and leave your feeling awkward.
Another make-up technique that some people find useful to cover stretch marks is using henna tattoos. There are exotic designs available that can be strategically placed to hide or minimize the effect of stretch marks. Henna tattoos last for a few weeks but you do not have to worry that you are making a permanent choice like in actual tattoos.