How To Lighten Stretch Marks On Calves
Do you notice your skin changing throughout your lifetime?
Our bodies adapt to our environment and lifestyles, so changes in our appearance are only natural.
Nowadays, more people are embracing their skin and all its textures.
Stretch marks are the most common skin transformations we may notice.
In the past, they were something to hide because there wasn’t enough media representation of what natural skin looks like.
However, stretch marks are unique and harmless.
Everyone has a different perspective regarding what makes them the most confident.
For some people, it’s letting their stretch marks shine through, and for others, it’s about diminishing their appearance. There’s nothing wrong with either side.
However, if you feel that reducing the appearance of stretch marks will boost your happiness, there are many ways to nourish your skin.
Stretch marks can be found anywhere on the body, but most people have them on the thighs, hips, or calves.
How can you lighten stretch marks on calves?
The legs can be prone to stretch marks caused by numerous reasons. However, investing in high-quality skincare, researching non-surgical exfoliation procedures, and more can lighten stretch marks.
What Are Stretch Marks?
Stretch marks are stretched skin that forms thin lines or scars when the skin has grown or shrunk excessively.
Stretch marks can appear anywhere on the body, but the most common areas are the thighs, calves, abdomen, butt, and breasts.
Stretch marks look different for everyone.
For example, they can look white, pink, red, blue, and everything in between.
They usually add some texture to your skin and can feel like minor scars.
Thankfully, stretch marks are harmless. The legs are among the most common areas where stretch marks appear.
This includes the calves, knees, and thighs.
According to Medical News Today, “Stretch marks appear as long, thin scars on the skin, and they often change in color and prominence over time.
Stretch marks form at a 90-degree angle to the direction in which the skin stretches.”
What Causes Stretch Marks?
Our bodies undergo many changes over one lifetime, and each phase of life can lead to stretch marks.
How we care for our bodies and adjust our diets or exercise routines can also lead to stretch marks over time.
For example, puberty, pregnancy, weight gain/loss, and even medical conditions can all cause stretch marks.
Puberty is when we experience a growth spurt, and sometimes the skin will stretch to keep up with our growing body, causing stretch marks.
If you love building muscle or lifting weights, it can also alter your skin’s appearance and cause stretch marks.
Pregnancy, weight loss, and weight gain can cause stretch marks because the body undergoes rapid changes.
You may even have a medical condition or take certain medications that result in stretch marks as a side effect.
However, it’s important to remember that stretch marks are normal and harmless, so they don’t affect your life or standard of living.
Types Of Stretch Marks
We mentioned that stretch marks could look different from person to person.
Our skin tone, lifestyle, environment, or bodily changes can affect how stretch marks look.
There are many variations of stretch marks that you may notice.
Medical News Today states that “doctors classify stretch marks according to their appearance or cause.”
The professional term for stretch marks is Striae.
So, Striae Gravidarum are stretch marks caused by pregnancy.
Other types of stretch marks include thin skin, red marks, pink lines, white marks, and many more.
So, the colour, shape, texture, and cause can all help indicate what type of stretch marks you have.
How To Lighten Stretch Marks On The Calves At Home
While there is nothing wrong with embracing your stretch marks.
There isn’t anything wrong with wanting to reduce their appearance, either, especially if lightening your stretch marks will help boost your self-esteem.
The calves are often a neglected area of the body. However, calves need just as much love and attention as the rest of the body.
It’s a pretty tricky and specific area to treat, especially if you’re looking to lighten your stretch marks.
You can attempt to lighten your stretch marks with at-home remedies, or you can visit a skincare clinic for non-surgical services.
However, if you plan to try treating your stretch marks at home first, note that it will take some time to see the results you want.
With consistent care and attention directed towards your calves, you can diminish and lighten their appearance over time.
However, there is no direct cure for stretch marks, and they can sometimes fade away on their own.
So, what at-home methods can you incorporate into your routine?
1. Vitamin-Rich Creams
First, you’ll want to keep your skin hydrated, as it will help promote a more youthful glow on your legs and plump texture.
It will be beneficial to find a cream filled with skin-rejuvenating ingredients (we love this one from StriVectin).
For example, you’ll want to look for nutrients that improve your skin’s texture.
This includes ingredients like vitamin E, peptides, collagen, and centella asiatica. Creams with these ingredients will keep your skin barrier healthy.
Various skin firming creams or oils can also get the job done.
It ensures your skin stays hydrated throughout the day/night and helps diminish the appearance of stretch marks on your calves.
2. Vitamin E Oil
Vitamin E is the ultimate skin-loving ingredient.
It’s a potent vitamin that also doubles as an antioxidant.
It’s incredibly hydrating and will even protect your skin barrier from harsh environmental factors.
Vitamin E oil (our favourite is this one from Pura D’or) is beneficial for various skin conditions and can even help heal extremely dry or textured areas.
For example, if you’re looking to minimise the appearance of stretch marks on your calves, vitamin E can soften the area and keep it hydrated.
You can even find it in other skincare products that will lighten or minimise stretch marks, like sunscreen.
3. Collagen
Collagen is a type of protein that keeps our skin youthful and plump.
Collagen production decreases in adults when they reach their mid-20s.
It’s also a popular ingredient in firming, stretch-mark, or anti-ageing creams.
Looking for a cream that contains collagen can promote more elastic skin.
Skin elasticity is the skin’s ability to stretch and grow, and to return to its original position.
Collagen can be beneficial to have in your creams, especially for looser areas like the calves.
We suggest a body lotion with collagen and aloe vera for added hydration, like this one from Bloom.
Skin elasticity is a key indicator of stretch marks, and you can promote it with various anti-ageing ingredients like collagen or peptides.
4. Centella Asiatica
It’s crucial to keep your skin barrier protected and healthy, especially if you’re looking to improve your skin’s texture or appearance.
If you have a compromised skin barrier, you’ll notice your skin is either irritated, dry, red, or has hyperpigmentation and texture issues.
One way to ensure the barrier is protected is to use Centella asiatica, an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant.
Opting for creams containing centella asiatica or ceramides will help keep stretch marks healthy and protected.
This is crucial if you decide to incorporate various exfoliation methods to lighten your stretch marks.
5. Peptides
Peptides are another ingredient to look for in your vitamin-rich creams.
Peptides will pair well with other components, such as vitamin C or collagen, to even out your skin tone and lighten scars, stretch marks, and discolouration.
Peptides are a chain of amino acids that support collagen and elastin production.
Together, these components can improve the texture of your skin on your calves while also keeping it bright, smooth, and elastic.
6. Retinoids
Retinoids are beautiful products that will promote skin cell renewal and improve the appearance of your skin.
However, stretch marks on the calves or thighs can be hard to treat, especially if they are more vibrant, deep, or saturated in colour.
Retinoids are known as anti-ageing products.
This vitamin A derivative can potentially reduce discolouration and scarring and promote youthful skin.
This can be especially helpful if you’re looking to treat more pronounced stretch marks.
According to the Mayo Clinic, “Tretinoin, when it works, helps to rebuild a protein in the skin called collagen, making the stretch marks look more like your normal skin.”
7. Chemical Exfoliants
Another way to lighten or reduce stretch marks on the calves is to exfoliate frequently.
Exfoliating removes dead skin cells from the surface and makes way for a brighter, more even-toned complexion.
AHAs and BHAs are chemical exfoliants that promote a more youthful complexion and create an even skin tone.
These chemical exfoliants can even reduce ingrown hairs, discolouration, or body acne found on the calves.
AHAs/BHAs
AHAs (alpha hydroxy acids) are beautiful exfoliants for dry or rough skin.
AHAs are water-soluble and exfoliate the skin’s surface.
Some popular AHAs are lactic, glycolic, and mandelic acid.
BHAs are beta-hydroxy acids, and these are fat-soluble exfoliants.
BHAs exfoliate the skin from within the pores and offer deeper exfoliation than AHAs.
These are especially helpful for acne, ingrown hairs, and scarring.
Both of these exfoliants can potentially lighten or reduce the appearance of stretch marks on the calves.
9. SPF
Sunscreen (take a look at this excellent SPF 100 sunscreen from La Roche-Posay) is a necessary product to apply to your skin daily.
If you plan to treat your stretch marks with retinoids or chemical exfoliants, an SPF will help you diminish them without damaging your skin.
Sunscreen provides numerous benefits by itself.
For example, it protects the skin against UV rays, reducing the visibility of scars or marks and promoting a more even complexion.
Non-Surgical Services To Lighten Stretch Marks On Calves
Visit your dermatologist or a licensed esthetician if you’re interested in lightening stretch marks through professional skincare treatments.
However, whether you decide to treat stretch marks at home or with a skin specialist, neither can guarantee results.
If you want to handle your calves with care, you can perform various non-surgical services in a skincare clinic that can potentially lighten your stretch marks.
This includes chemical peels, laser therapy, or another recommended service.
Each service has its pros and cons, which you should discuss during your consultation with your skin professional.
Chemical Peels
Chemical peels are a standard skincare service that’s used to promote even, healthy, and youthful skin.
They are usually designed for the face, but some clinics may offer exfoliation services for the body.
Chemical peels can treat a wide range of skincare concerns, including scars, signs of ageing, and discolouration.
Chemical peels may help improve the appearance of stretch marks on your calves, but you should consult your dermatologist.
Laser Therapy
Laser Therapy is another option if you’re looking to lighten stretch marks.
This service can be helpful for those with highly pigmented stretch marks who want to reduce discolouration.
Some lasers can boost collagen production.
Healthline states that Excimer Laser Therapy works to “stimulate skin color (melanin) production so that stretch marks match the surrounding skin more closely.”
This is an excellent option if you’re more concerned about discolouration than texture.
However, your dermatologist or skin specialist can also choose another laser therapy to lighten and reduce stretch marks if you’re looking to diminish their texture.
Dermarolling
Dermarolling is a popular treatment for acne scars, discolouration, wrinkles, and even stretch marks.
While there are many at-home dermarolling tools, the most effective way is to see a licensed professional to avoid damaging your skin by misusing the tool.
According to Healthline, “Dermarolling works by creating microscopic wounds which induce collagen and elastin production.”
This service uses stamping or tiny-needle devices to stimulate collagen and reduce the appearance of stretch marks.
Dermarolling, also known as Microneedling, is a standard treatment offered in most skin care clinics.
Can You Prevent Stretch Marks?
Stretch marks can occur due to changes within your body, or they can run through your family. Some people are more prone to stretch marks than others.
However, are there any ways you can prevent stretch marks from appearing?
There are a few ways you can minimise the appearance of stretch marks, but they can still show up.
We mentioned that stretch marks are harmless and don’t affect your life or quality of life. They’re also very typical.
Keep Your Skin Hydrated
It’s crucial to stay hydrated on the inside and the outside. Keeping the skin and body moisturised will help keep your skin youthful.
It will promote a healthy skin barrier that can support other minor treatments, like exfoliation.
Muscle Mass
If you plan to gain/lose weight or even build muscle, do so gradually.
Intense changes in the body, whether from working out, pregnancy, or a medical condition, can cause stretch marks.
However, it’s crucial to be kind to your body and listen to what it needs to function.
Also, if your body does go through these changes, it’s essential to nourish it with love.
When To Talk To A Dermatologist
If you have any doubts about lightning stretch marks on your legs, talk to a dermatologist.
You may decide that home treatments aren’t for you, or you want a professional service.
A dermatologist will know the best regimen and service for you, especially if you want to treat a delicate area like the calves or thighs.
You can discuss a wide range of treatments, including laser therapy, chemical peels, microneedling, and more.
The Takeaway
Stretch marks are a normal side effect of the body‘s changes.
It’s crucial to note that there is no specific cure for stretch marks, but you can potentially lighten or reduce their appearance.
Also, stretch marks may fade over time or remain present.
There are various methods to lighten them, especially in areas like the calves, thighs, butt, or abdomen.
For example, vitamin-rich creams, retinoids, laser therapy, or sunscreen might help reduce the discolouration or texture of your stretch marks.
However, at-home methods will take a long time to see results, and clinical services may speed up the process.
There is more than one type of stretch mark, which will look different for everyone.
For example, stretch marks can look white, pink, red, blue, and more.
Some may look like stripes and feel more textured than others.
If you’re looking to lighten stretch marks on your calves, you can focus on boosting collagen production and increasing skin elasticity to create firmer, more youthful skin.
As always, consult with a dermatologist to find the best treatment for you.
Whether you’re ready to embrace your stretch marks or you want to diminish their appearance, both are attractive options that can help make you feel more comfortable or confident.
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