Spider veins and varicose veins are practically a rite of passage. As we age, many of us find the jagged purple lines or swollen bluish cords spreading across our thighs and calves. These warped blood vessels occur in up to 60% of adults.
People get stretch marks when the middle layer of the skin, called the dermis, becomes stretched. They appear on the thighs either when a person gains weight or muscle around the thighs or when they lose weight in this area. Growth spurts and pregnancy can also cause stretch marks on the thighs.
Anatomy of cellulite
As fat cells increase, they push up against the skin. Tough, long connective cords pull down. This creates an uneven surface or dimpling, often referred to as cellulite. Cellulite is a very common, harmless skin condition that causes lumpy, dimpled flesh on the thighs, hips, buttocks and abdomen.
Varicose veins are swollen blood vessels that appear just under your skin's surface in your lower body. When your vein walls are weak and your valves aren't working right, blood backs up in your vein. This causes the blue and purple bulges you see on your legs, feet or ankles.
Livedo reticularis is thought to be due to spasms of the blood vessels or a problem of the blood flow near the skin surface. It makes the skin look mottled in sort of a net pattern with clear borders. The condition most often shows up on the legs. Sometimes livedo reticularis is simply the result of being chilled.
Although muscle tone can be tightened with targeted exercises, surgery is the only solution to remove excess skin. Surgical removal of excess skin and tissue with a thigh lift can slim the lines of the inner and outer thighs.
Endovenous laser therapy (EVLT) and radiofrequency ablation (RFA): EVLT and RFA are newer treatments. They often replace the need to surgically remove a vein. Both treatments work inside the vein to destroy it. Dermatologists use EVLT to treat spider veins and small varicose veins.
Stretch marks are not likely to disappear, even if you lose weight. Sometimes, rapid weight loss increases the risk of stretch mark formation. However, the majority of the stretch marks are from your weight gain. So when you lose some weight, they become more visible.
As a result, the skin can develop stretch marks. At first, stretch marks may show up as reddish or purplish lines that can look indented and have a different texture from the skin around them. Stretch marks often turn lighter and almost disappear over time.
These stretch marks initially appear pinkish or purple in color and over time start looking white or silver in color. Some of the common causes of stretch marks on legs and inner thigh include: Pregnancy. Weight gain.
What is the thigh crease called? The gluteal sulcus (also known as the gluteal fold, fold of the buttock or horizontal gluteal crease) is an area of the body of humans and anthropoid apes, described by a horizontal crease formed by the inferior aspect of the buttocks and the posterior upper thigh.
Cellulite looks like lumpy or dimpling skin. It may be visible at all times or only when you pinch your skin. Cellulite affects your stomach, thighs and butt.
Thighbrow (noun): The crease between your thigh and your hip that appears when you sit or kneel down.
Usually, when the middle layer of the skin – dermis – gets stretched, stretch marks can occur. You will find people with sudden growth spurts and women during pregnancy developing stretch marks on the inner thighs. Some medical conditions or side effects of specific medications can result in stretch marks.
Cellulite is the dimpled-looking skin that commonly occurs in the thigh region. It forms when fatty tissue deep in the skin pushes up against connective tissue. It's estimated that more than 85 percent of all women 21 years and older have cellulite. It's not as common in men.
It's common for stretch marks to appear during teen years when rapid growth of weight gain occurs. Other factors that make teens predisposed to stretch marks appearing include a genetic risk or family history of stretch marks, pregnancy, being overweight or obese, or topical or oral steroids, like prednisone.
Fortunately, they are harmless and typically fade over time, but never completely go away. You may see ads for creams and ointments that promise to erase your stretch marks.
Stretch marks look like lines or streaks across the skin. Stretch marks can be pink, red, brown, black, silver or purple. They usually start off darker and fade over time. Stretch marks are most common on the tummy, breasts, chest, upper arms, legs, bottom, hips or back.
Bio-Oil has been proven to help reduce the appearance of scars and stretch marks. Some of its ingredients can also help with the appearance of wrinkles and hyperpigmentation, and possibly in the treatment of acne. As long as you're not allergic to its ingredients, Bio-Oil is considered generally safe to use.
The cause of stretch marks is stretching of the skin. Their severity is affected by several factors, including your genetics and the degree of stress on the skin. Your level of the hormone cortisol also might play a role. Cortisol — a hormone produced by the adrenal glands — weakens elastic fibers in the skin.
Tanning cannot get rid of stretch marks. When you tan, stretch marks become more noticeable because they don't tan. Self-tanner: While tanning can make stretch marks more noticeable, a self-tanner can camouflage stretch marks — both early and mature ones.
Hormonal changes and Pregnancy – Puberty, menopause and pregnancy can be a factor in the development of spider veins. Genetics – For some people, spider veins are genetic which means nothing you do can truly prevent them from occurring and they can show up at any time.
Although exercise should always be part of a healthy lifestyle and may improve or prevent spider veins, it typically won't eliminate them. However, modern spider vein treatment can. If spider veins are already present, vein treatment is available.
Massage. Massage is thought to work on spider veins because it is an effective way to stimulate healthy blood circulation. This approach can also relieve pain and swelling that is sometimes associated with spider veins.