My Stretch Mark Story: How to Reduce the Appearance of Stretch marks- Thomas DeLauer
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My Stretch Mark Story: How to Reduce the Appearance of Stretch marks- Thomas DeLauer
Stretch Marks: A study in the British Journal of Dermatology investigated what could be causing stretch marks at the molecular level. Researchers studied skin samples from 27 pregnant women who had recently-formed stretch marks, comparing the stretch mark skin to both nearby stretched skin on the abdomen and to less-stretched skin on the hip. Researchers found the elastic fiber network in the dermis gets disrupted in a stretch mark - after giving birth, this network remains disrupted. Elastic fibers give skin its elasticity, or the ability to "snap back," after stretching - the skin tries to repair the disrupted elastic network but it does not appear to be effective, which in turn promotes the lax, loose skin seen in more mature stretch marks.
Collagen: Collagen is the protein building block of all your connective tissues, including your bones, muscles, skin, hair, nails and tendons. It plays an important role in the replacement of dead skin, hair and nail cells - around 30% of the protein in our bodies is collagen. Collagen is a protein that binds skin cells together and keeps your skin supple. Your body produces less collagen as you age, resulting in the formation of wrinkles and stretch marks. Extreme stretching of the skin paired with a lack of collagen causes the dermis of your skin to tear.
Study - Published in the journal Skin Pharmacology and Physiology: Conducted a double-blind placebo study conducted that found that women who took collagen hydrolysate (the peptide form) regularly for 8 weeks saw a 20% reduction in wrinkles: “After 8 weeks of intake a statistically significantly higher content of procollagen type I (65%) and elastin (18%) in the BCP-treated volunteers (collagen) compared to the placebo-treated patients was detected.” This means that supplemental collagen helps the body’s own production process improve, as procollagen is the precursor to collagen in the body. Also, this showed that collagen consumption can increase skin elasticity and moisture.
Witch Hazel: Witch hazel is a skin-healing astringent that’s capable of naturally inflammation and is popular for skin care due its strong antioxidant and astringent properties. Its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties make it a great way to preserve skin’s elasticity - tightens skin and can protect collagen and skin elasticity. More specifically, witch hazel contains tannins are responsible for making witch hazel extract a natural astringent, since they remove excess oil from skin. Also contains compounds called “gallate esters,” which include proanthocyanidins, hydrolyzable tannins (galloylated sugars) and methyl gallate. It’s effective as a “free radical scavenger,” meaning it helps protect against DNA damage. References: 1) Stretch mark science: What happens to your skin when pregnancy gives you a stretch mark? Most topical treatments currently available are not evidence-based. (2018, April 20). Retrieved from https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/11/151117181509.htm
2) Experts Say This Is The Best Way To Boost Your Collagen. (2017, September 18). Retrieved from https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/experts-say-this-is-the-best-way-to-boost-your-collagen-production_us_59bbf07be4b086432b06965b
3) Proksch E , et al. (n.d.). Oral intake of specific bioactive collagen peptides reduces skin wrinkles and increases dermal matrix synthesis. - PubMed - NCBI. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24401291
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Stretch marks are permanent reminders of personal transformation that should be owned rather than hidden; while the underlying dermal damage cannot be fully reversed, collagen supplementation, omega-3 fatty acids, and topical witch hazel can minimize loose skin and improve surrounding skin appearance.
- Stretch marks result from broken collagen and elastin fibers in the dermis that cannot fully regenerate, but surrounding skin can be tightened through targeted interventions
- A study of pregnant women showed collagen peptides increased pro-collagen by 65% and prevented stretch marks, demonstrating the skin's capacity to strengthen with proper nutrition
- The psychological shift from viewing stretch marks as flaws to embracing them as symbols of personal growth is foundational to overall wellbeing
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Pro-collagen is a precursor to collagen protein that encourages the body to create more collagen from other proteins, establishing a positive feedback loop where introduced collagen stimulates the body's own natural collagen production.
“Pro collagen is a precursor to the collagen protein pro-collagen encourages the body to create more collagen encourages it to actually make it from other proteins so we can create our own natural collagen if we have enough pro collagen”
Stretch marks form when collagen and elastin fibrous networks in the dermis layer beneath the skin physically break down, not from the skin itself tearing, and this damage to the protein structure is difficult to reverse.
“my collagen and elastin fibrous network ended up getting broken down... collagen and elastin... it's not your skin is actually breaking down it's the layer underneath it it's the dermis so what's happening is the proteins are physically breaking”
A study published in the British Journal of Dermatology found that the fibrous protein network beneath the skin is a complex labyrinth of interconnected proteins that, when torn apart by stretch marks, disrupts blood flow and prevents proper rebuild, resulting in loose skin that does not return to its original tightness.
“there's a study that I want a reference that was published in the British Journal of Dermatology what they did is they took a look at stretch marks at a more molecular level... there's a fibrous network underneath our skin and this fiber network is like a labyrinth of different proteins that are just inter wound together very complex predetermined by sort of our genetic code and what ends up happening is that network is totally disrupted and those fibers get torn apart but what ends up happening is because those fibers get torn apart blood flow gets disrupted all kinds of things get disrupted and it doesn't ever get the ability to rebuild prop so what ends up happening is you end up with loose skin because the skin stretches and it never really comes back”
A study published in the Journal of Skin Pharmacology and Physiology found that pregnant women who took collagen peptides for eight weeks experienced a 65% increase in pro-collagen production and did not develop stretch marks, compared to a control group.
“there's an interesting study that took a look at stretch marks and they look a look at collagen and they looked at pregnant women in order to do this so this study was published in the Journal of skin pharmacology and physiology and what it looked at was exactly what happens when collagen is in place okay so what they did is they took these pregnant women and for eight weeks they have them take collagen peptides very high quality collagen and they wanted to see what exactly what's happening well first of all stretch marks didn't really occur but they also found that those that continually administered the collagen ended up having a 65% increase in what is called Pro collagen”
When stretch marks first appear, they are red because the trauma represents active protein breakdown, but as they age and blood flow decreases, they turn white due to reduced vascularization of the affected tissue.
“when someone first starts eating a stretch mark they're very red because it's the trauma the proteins are broken... that skin is still alive but the dermis underneath it is messed up it's not dead but it can't get blood that's why they turn white later on”
Witch hazel is an astringent that draws oil from the skin and promotes elastic activity of skin tissue, functioning as a powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant due to its tannin content which removes oils and allows the skin to tighten.
“witch hazel is an astringent which means that it draws oil out of your skin and it means that can actually promote the elastic activity of your skin... witch hazel is an astringent and it's also a powerful anti-inflammatory antioxidant it has the ability to help tighten things up and the tannins that are in the witch hazel help remove the oils”
Omega-3 fatty acids, particularly EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid), are critical for reducing inflammation throughout the body, which manifests specifically in improved skin condition and elastic recovery.
“making sure that I got enough in the way of the omega-3s... getting those Omega threes in is super super super critical because that is the anti inflammatory component that is going to manifest in your skin yes that's actually true the x---two pentanoic acid the epa is very powerful at reducing inflammation throughout your entire body... in this particular case we're focused on the EPA which is very very powerful and very very effective”
Stretch marks are essentially dead skin in the sense that the underlying dermal structure is damaged and cannot regain blood flow, though the skin surface itself remains alive and can potentially be improved through topical treatments.
“the stretch mark is essentially dead this skin unless I wanted to get some laser therapy to cover it up and smooth it up that skin is still alive but the dermis underneath it is messed up it's not dead but it can't get blood that's why they turn white later on”
Once stretch marks have fully formed and stabilized, immediate reversal through mental or lifestyle changes is not possible, requiring acceptance of the permanent scarring while pursuing secondary interventions to minimize loose skin.
“There's nothing we can do about it once it happens especially if you're not in the right mental state you're not gonna immediately reverse it”
Stretch marks should be reframed psychologically as permanent reminders of personal growth and past struggles rather than aesthetic flaws, as this mental shift is fundamental to self-acceptance and wellbeing.
“I honestly earnestly believe that if I didn't have these stretch marks I wouldn't be doing what I'm doing today because they are the reminder that it is a pretty profound part of my life a very profound part of my life... they are a story that reminds you that but now let's talk a little bit about science... you have to own this stuff these things that you've got there that is gonna constantly remind you what you went through and who you are today”
The speaker's stretch marks serve as ongoing psychological reminders of his past struggles with weight and health, functioning as motivational tools that help him maintain his commitment to health and fitness daily.
“it does allow me to wake up every day and remember why I do what I do so I embrace these suckers now”
Stretch marks from weight gain or pregnancy represent personal stories that should be owned rather than hidden, regardless of whether they result from previous overweight states, bodybuilding pursuits, or pregnancy-related weight gain.
“these things that you've got there that is gonna constantly remind you what you went through and who you are today whether is from body building whether it was from being overweight or whether it is from pregnancy and you now have the most joyous amazing creature in your life because of it they are a story”
The combination of collagen supplementation, omega-3 fatty acids, and topical witch hazel application creates a comprehensive formula for tightening the skin surrounding stretch marks, addressing inflammation, collagen production, and astringent action simultaneously.
“if you use witch hazel topically on a regular basis and consume collagen orally on a regular basis you can start giving yourself a formula to at least tighten the skin surrounding the stretch marks”
The speaker was initially bothered by negative comments about his stretch marks but has subsequently reframed these marks as profound reminders of personal transformation that are foundational to his current identity and mission.
“you know what it used to bother me a lot and then I realized that this is story this is what is left to constantly remind me of what was before and I honestly earnestly believe that if I didn't have these stretch marks I wouldn't be doing what I'm doing today”
The speaker has been rejected for magazine cover shoots, editorial work, and other photographic opportunities specifically because of his stretch marks, with photographers stating the marks are difficult to work with professionally.
“I've been turned down to shoot magazine covers I have been turned down in multiple publications just for regular editorials and regular shoots I have had photographers tell me that I'm difficult to work with because they have to brush up my stretch marks”
The speaker personally began taking collagen supplements through both supplemental intake and dietary sources (specific cuts of meat) immediately upon starting his weight loss journey to prevent and minimize loose skin.
“I made sure that as soon as I started to lose weight I was taking in the right amount of collagen I was taking it through supplements I was eating the right cuts of meat and I was making sure I could get it whenever I possibly could”
During his weight loss period, the speaker was able to retract and tighten some of the loose skin from his weight loss, achieving partial recovery of skin elasticity despite the permanent nature of stretch marks.
“even after I lost a bunch of weight because I lost about a hundred pounds in a little over a year I was able to retract some of that skin and tighten it up a little bit”
Collagen makes up approximately 30% of all protein in the human body and is the building block of connective tissue including skin.
“collagen is the building block of all the connective tissue including your skin and actually ends up making up about 30% of all the protein in your body”
DHA (docosahexaenoic acid), a component of fish oil, is beneficial for brain and nerve function but is not the primary component needed for addressing inflammation-related skin concerns.
“The DHA portion of fish oil is good for the brain and good for the nerves but in this particular case we're focused on the EPA which is very very powerful and very very effective”
Laser therapy can cover up and smooth stretch marks, serving as a cosmetic treatment option for those who want to minimize their appearance, distinct from preventative or skin-tightening interventions.
“unless I wanted to get some laser therapy to cover it up and smooth it up that skin is still alive”
The speaker has received negative comments from others characterizing his stretch marks as looking like he was 'mauled by a cougar,' representing a specific type of social criticism he has encountered.
“I have had people tell me that they're ugly I've had people tell me that looks like I got mauled by a cougar I have had it all come at me”
The speaker weighed 280 pounds at one point in his life before losing approximately 100 pounds in a little over a year.
“I was 280 pounds at one point okay I was 280 pounds”
Being overweight was a period during which the speaker was unhealthy and focused on career advancement rather than personal health, contributing to subsequent weight gain and stretch mark development.
“I was unhealthy person I was focused on career I was focused on my role in the health care industry and what I was doing I was still training I was still working out but it was definitely the wrong way and was with the wrong foods”