Do you notice your skin going through multiple changes 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 texture.
Stretch marks are the most common skin transformations we may notice. In the past, they were something to hide because there wasn’t enough representation through the media 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, or 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 one of the most popular 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 go through so many changes within one lifetime, and each phase of life can be responsible for stretch marks. How we take care of our bodies and adjust our diet or exercise routines can also produce 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 your growing body, causing stretch marks.
If you love to build muscle or lift weights in the gym, it can also alter the appearance of your skin and create stretch marks.
Pregnancy, weight loss, and weight gain can produce stretch marks because the body goes through intense changes quickly.
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 tones, 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 color, 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 if you want 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 first to try treating your stretch marks at home, it’s crucial to note that it will take a while to see your desired results.
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
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First, you’ll want to keep your skin hydrated because it will help promote a more youthful glow for your legs and a 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 nutritional components to 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 that your skin is adequately hydrated throughout the day/night and will help 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 it will even protect your skin barrier against harsh environmental factors.
Vitamin E oil (our favorite is this one from Pura D’or) is beneficial for various skin conditions, and it will even heal extremely dry or textured areas. For example, if you’re looking to minimize 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 minimize 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 formulated in firming, stretch marks, or anti-aging creams.
Looking for a cream that contains collagen can promote more elastic skin. Skin elasticity is the skin’s ability to grow or stretch and its ability to revert into place.
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 common indicator for stretch marks, and you can promote skin elasticity with various anti-aging 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 with centella asiatica, which is an anti-inflammatory ingredient and antioxidant.
Opting for creams with centella asiatica or even ceramides will 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 like vitamin C or collagen to even out your skin and lighten scars, stretch marks, and discoloration.
Peptides are a chain of amino acids that support collagen and elastin production. Together, these components can improve the skin texture of your calves while also keeping the skin brightened, 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 have a more vibrant, deep, or saturated color.
Retinoids are known as anti-aging products. This vitamin-A derivative can potentially reduce discoloration, 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 you can lighten or reduce stretch marks on the calves is with frequent exfoliation. Exfoliating will eliminate dead skin cells from the surface and make way for a brighter and 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, discoloration, or body acne found on the calves.
AHAs/BHAs
AHAs are alpha hydroxy acids, and they are beautiful exfoliants for dry or rough skin. AHAs are water-soluble, and they will exfoliate the skin on the surface. Some popular AHAs are lactic, glycolic, and mandelic acid.
BHAs are beta hydroxy acids, and these are fat-soluble exfoliants. BHAs will exfoliate the skin from within the pores and offer deep exfoliation, unlike 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 awesome 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 ensure you diminish your marks 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 licensed esthetician if you’re interested in lightening stretch marks with more 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 does have its pros and cons, which is necessary to 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 have their own exfoliation services they offer for the body.
Chemical peels can treat a wide variety of skincare concerns like scars, signs of aging, and discoloration. Chemical peels may benefit or improve the look of stretch marks on your calves, but you will need to consult with your dermatologist.
Laser Therapy
Laser Therapy is another option if you’re looking to lighten stretch marks. This service can be helpful for those who have extremely pigmented stretch marks and want to reduce discoloration. 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 a wonderful option if you’re more concerned about discoloration 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 its texture.
Dermarolling
Dermarolling is a popular treatment used to help acne scars, discoloration, 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 any damage from 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 help induce collagen and reduce the appearance of stretch marks.
Dermarolling is also referred to as Microneedling, a common 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 minimize the appearance of stretch marks, but they can still show up. We mentioned that stretch marks are harmless, and they don’t affect your living 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 moisturized will ensure your skin remains youthful. It will promote a healthy skin barrier that can take on 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 it be working out, pregnancy, or a medical condition, can produce 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 lightening stretch marks on your legs, talk to a dermatologist. You may decide that home treatments may not be 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 variety of treatments like laser therapy, chemical peels, microneedling, and more.
The Takeaway
Stretch marks are a normal side effect of bodies going through various changes. It’s crucial to note there is no specific cure for stretch marks, but you can potentially lighten or reduce their appearance.
Also, stretch marks may fade away with time, or they may stay present. There are various methods to lighten them, especially in areas like the calves, thighs, butt, or abdomen.
For example, vitamin-rich cream, retinoids, laser therapy, or sunscreen might be able to reduce the discoloration 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 the skin’s elasticity to create firm and 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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