Many people have stretch marks and stretch marks are actually bands of scar tissue that are on your skin.  They are noticeable since they differ in texture from your normal skin, and they can range in color from pink, gray, purple or red.  Although for the most part stretch marks are not problematic in themselves, they can sometimes become itchy or feel sore.  It is good to know there is nothing dangerous about having them, but some people do not like their appearance and want to get rid of them. 

Stretch marks can be found almost anywhere on your body, but the most common places for them to be are on your stomach, legs, buttocks, breasts and upper arms.  Although both men and women can have them, they do more commonly affect women.  

Your skin is composed of three layers which are the epidermis, the dermis and the hypodermis and stretch marks are found in the dermis layer.  Stretch marks are caused when there is a quick expansion and contraction of your skin, such as during pregnancy, a growth spurt or during weight gain/loss.  

If your stretch marks are bothering you, it is good to know that there are a few different types of treatments that you can try.  

• Topical creams:  Creams are a popular option for stretch marks and this is an affordable and non-invasive way you can treat them.  Creams work best on stretch marks that are recent.  If you have sensitive skin, you should talk to your doctor about which type will work best for you.  Pregnant women should not use creams during pregnancy
• Heat treatments:  This treatment option uses radio wave energy and ultrasound to bring heat to the dermis layer of your skin, which results in the production of collagen
• Laser therapy:  This treatment will use light instead of heat in order to lessen the stretch marks’ appearance
• Microdermabrasion:  During this treatment, tiny crystals are scrubbed onto your skin, which will remove the layers of skin where you have stretch marks

Contact your local med-spa to find out which treatment option will be best for you.

We are halfway through fall already and it is hard to believe that winter will be here before we know it. Although there are many wonderful things about winter, one of the aspects that is not so great is that the cold, dry air eliminates the moisture in your skin, which can cause red, itchy and irritated skin. In order to keep your skin safe, there are some tips and things that you can add to your daily routine.

Having a whole house humidifier is one of the best things that you can do for your skin. Not only will the added humidity help to keep your throat moist and your home free of static, but it will also help to keep your skin hydrated. Especially in this current environment, many people are working from home and kids are doing school at home, so it is especially important to get this added moisture to the home you are spending all of your time in. You may even want to add a small room humidifier to the rooms that you are spending the most time in, such as a home office or bedroom.

During the winter months, most people tend to spend more time indoors and with the incredibly cold temperatures that we get here in Chicago, many of us tend to keep our heat a little higher, and this actually can cause you to become dehydrated. Most people are good at drinking water during the summer when they are outside and hot, but forget that it is equally important to stay hydrated during the winter. There are many health problems that can come from being dehydrated, and having severely dry skin is one of them.

Hand washing has never been more important in our lives and most of us have become extra diligent with this, but we must remember that water really dries out your skin. Now absolutely you should continue with your great hand-washing routine, but what you should add to this is to apply hand lotion or cream to your hands after you have washed and dried your hands.

You also should think about the time that you are spending in the shower. Although it can be very tempting to spend more time in a warm shower on a very cold day, the hot water in the shower really dries out your skin. It is instead advised that you take a lukewarm shower and that you try to limit yourself to 5-10 minutes.

During the winter is also a great time to reevaluate the products that you are using to make sure that you are choosing products that are actually good for your skin. You want to find products that are cream-based, gentle and fragrance-free, since products containing fragrances and alcohol can make your skin extra dry.

It is also a good idea to incorporate a nighttime routine of applying moisturizer to your face and hands. If you are unsure as to which products will work best for your skin, feel free to talk to your dermatologist or doctor.