Why Do I Have These Stretch Marks? - What Can I Do?

You may wonder why you have to get stretch marks in the first place. You may be thinking, "I'm not fat!" It doesn't matter. Anything that causes growth at an accelerated speed can lead to these repulsive looking marks on your skin. Growth during puberty is rapid, growth of muscles during strengthening techniques can stretch your skin, pregnancy or just plain obesity will stretch your skin. The protein collagen holds together your outer and inner layers of skin. When something interferes with the emission of collagen-like the abnormal stretching of your skin-marks appear on your body. Men and women both get stretch marks, but women tend to have them more often. Let's talk about ways to hide your stretch marks temporarily since actually getting rid of them may take some time. One way to cover these marks temporarily is suntan lotion. Lotions work better than tanning beds because the tanning beds can damage the skin the same way sunlight does. Some turn to the use of skin makeup to cover their stretch marks-just don't' let it rub off. Now, there are some fashionable summerwear outfits that offer some coverage of certain areas that may be affected by stretch marks.

As far a products that will diminish stretch marks or prevent them to some degree, they are also available. There are creams on the market, and also emu oil that will work very well to lessen the appearance of stretch marks. Body builders and pregnant females who already suspect that they will acquire stretch marks use preventative creams such as Trofolastin and Verum. These contain a combination of elements, including Vitamin E which is shown by research to be impressive in preventing stretch marks. Now, you can get your marks removed completely-but it will cost you some money.

A dermatologist can use laser procedures, plastic surgery, or a technique called microdermabrasion. There's no need to pay out that much money unless you really want to. There are so many methods of hiding and significantly reducing the appearance of stretch marks. Note, however, that cocoa butter is not a good stretch marks cream. Also, realize that if you use lotions or creams that contain steroids, this can actually raise your chances of getting stretch marks. The bottom line is that stretch marks are not a unique thing that is just plaguing your life alone-anyone young and old can have them and that you can remedy their appearance. Go ahead, buy that bathing suit and have fun!

Matt D Murren owns and operates http://www.stretch-marks-advisor.com
Stretch Marks

Botox, Surgical Decompression and Migraine Headache Relief

The treatment of migraine headache patients by Botox injections has been shown to be effective in specific patients who have identifiable triggers of the supraorbital and supratrochlear, zygomaticotemporal, greater occipital, and septal trigeminal nerves. The temporary relief from Botox has led to the concept that relieving pressure on the nerves by muscle resection (surgical decompression) can subsequently be effective and may provide a more long-term solution to the migraine problem. Since Botox relaxes muscles around the nerve, the concept of nerve decompression through muscle resection is a logical transition. The use of Botox then becomes a qualifier to determine if nerve decompression is likely to be successful.

Surgical decompression of migraines, pioneered by plastic surgeon Dr. Guyuron in Cleveland, has shown that a high percentage of carefully-chosen patients may benefit. (> 90%) The key here is...careful patient selection. One must work with a neurologist who refers the patient based on their trigger points for their migraine and their success with Botox injections. On average, most migraine patients experienced improvement at one year follow-up, needing less medications for management. While some patients do experience a 'cure', this is not the majority of migraine sufferers. A recent publication in the July 2008 issue of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery by Dr. Poggi of Wichita confirms these results in their own reported experience. One of the most interesting findings of their study was that two-thirds of the patients felt that surgery offered better relief than Botox injections and, even in those patients who had results no better than Botox, stated that they would go through surgery again..

Surgical decompression involves removing muscle that intertwines or lays against the nerve. In the frontal area, this can be done endoscopically (like an endoscopic brow lift) from a remote scalp location or directly through an upper eyelid incision. As of now, this is a surgeon's choice and the evidence that one method is superior over the other remains to be conclusively proven. Going through the eyelid approach probably allows better control of the amount of muscle removed and the potential for inadvertent nerve transection or avulsion. For the zygomaticotemporal, greater occipital and septal trigeminal nerves, a direct open approach is used as this is done in the hairline or inside the nose.

For those patients whose migraine headaches are of sufficient frequency and are not well controlled by medication, surgical decompression of trigger points offers potential for improving their lives.

Dr Barry Eppley is a board-certified plastic surgeon in private practice in Indianapolis, Indiana at Clarian Health Systems. ( http://www.eppleyplasticsurgery.com ) He writes a daily blog on plastic surgery, spa therapies, and medical skin care at http://www.exploreplasticsurgery.com