What Causes Stretch Marks

Stretch marks happen when the skin is stretched for a prolonged period or when it happens rapidly. Of the three layers of skin; the epidermis, dermis and the subcutaneous stratum, it is the dermis that appears to be affected by the expansion. It is this region that helps skin retain elasticity.

The dermis contains concentrations of collagen and elastic fibers called elastin. When these substances and tissues are weakened, skin damage occurs. When rapid weight gain happens the resulting stretching seems to lead to tearing of underlying fibers and that results small rips and scarring.

What Causes Cellulite?

There are basically two schools of thought as to what cellulite is. For some, including doctors, cellulite is just plain old fat. The reason why the cellulite looks dimply is because the tissues that connect your skin to the underlying muscles are stretched out, causing fat to have a bulging appearance.

According to doctors, this would help explain why women have cellulite but all but the heaviest men don’t, because women carry fat between their skin and their muscles while men tend to carry fat beneath their muscles.

Some people reject the notion that cellulite is just fat. They believe that cellulite is fat, but also has some toxins in the fat, which gives it the bulging, orange peel appearance.

What Causes Dry Skin

Dry skin is caused by a lack of moisture or oil in the skin and is especially common during winter months when heating systems can dry up the air.

Bathing with hot water, the skin’s aging process, spending time in the sun and exposure to other factors can also lead to dry skin such as low humidity, using alcohol based lotions, using or coming into contact with certain chemicals and cleaning products, pregnancy can cause dry skin, psoriasis, eczema, contact dermatitis, fungal skin infections, heatstroke, sunstroke, hypothyroidism, uremia Ichthyosis and Vitamin A deficiency.

Inherited factors and metabolic factors like an underactive thyroid gland, or excessive weight loss are also believed to be causes of dry skin.

What Causes Psoriasis

No-one quite knows exactly what causes psoriasis, although genetics are believed to be a factor. The general consensus is that the immune system also plays a huge part, with the immune system somehow triggered to produce more skin cells than is normal.

People who don’t suffer with psoriasis will produce mature skin that sheds itself within 28-30 days, psoriasis sufferers however will produce mature skin within 3-4 days. Unlike normal skin cell production though which falls off, psoriasis cells pile up, forming lesions on the surface (see diagram above, to the right).

Psoriasis can also be triggered by a number of other factors such as: -

The weather – Cold, dry weather can flare up psoriasis while warm damp or sunny temperatures can make symptoms better.

Stress – Stress or emotional distress can trigger psoriasis flare ups.

Skin infection – Skin infections caused by viruses or bacteria can trigger psoriasis and cause flare up.

What Causes Eczema

There are a number of different factors that may cause eczema such as hereditary and genetic factors. Depending on the form of eczema, the cause can be attributed to environmental allergens, or other conditions such as asthma or hayfever.

Other forms of eczema are caused by irritants such as chemicals and detergents, while stress is also being researched as a cause of eczema. Blood circulatory problems in the leg can also lead to eczema in later years.

Eczema can affect most parts of the body, from the face, neck, arms and legs, to the back and even the penis.

Note: Eczema is not contagious.

Types Of Eczema

There are many types of eczema, some unexplained forms and some more common types, such as:-