Stretch marks are usually formed during pregnancy because the underlying tissue of the stomach is growing faster than the outer skin layers which are covering it. This may cause small tears on the skin surface and scar tissue will grow in these tears to form stretch marks. For decades, the worst cases have even resorted to surgery to resolve the problem. However, this can be not only dangerous, but expensive and painful as well. More often than not, the risks out weigh the rewards, and therefore people just put up with the marks. This usually means hiding behind extra clothing or refusing to be seen in public. Stretch marks occur when a rapid increase of skin growth takes place, such as during pregnant state, puberty, or even among body builders. Striae appear when skin is expanded to the point of breaking down, like when elastic seems to lose its elasticity. They are at first purplish in color, because of to the layers of skin separating, and then develop into a white or shiny color, because of to collagen reformation and loss of pigmentation in that specific area. They appear in the middle layer of the skin, the skin. It is difficult to get rid of stretch marks because not many treatments pass over the first layer of skin, the dermis. read more...