As we age, our body undergoes changes that may often end in stretch marks. They are natural and delightful; it’s often an indication that we’re changing or that we have just had a baby. However, if for some reason you want to cover up these sometimes unexpected marks, it might be difficult to achieve this with typical products.

Sometimes it is best to seek the advice of a specialist to higher understand what stretch marks are, how they form and what they will do to our skin. Especially since they will sometimes indicate hormonal imbalances comparable to PCOS. Additionally, though they will appear on any a part of the body, we may not know much about stretch marks and their impact on our skin.

On the occasion of the upcoming Mother’s Day, Dr. Phyllis Pobee tells ESSENCE about stretch marks, their causes, treatment and more.

What are stretch marks?

“Stretch marks are narrow streaks that appear when the skin stretches quickly, usually due to growth spurts, weight fluctuations, or pregnancy,” Pobee tells ESSENCE. Founder Slim signal It’s common for stretch marks to appear as reddish or purple lines, regularly fading to a lighter shade. According to Stretch marks form when the skin stretches or contracts. Places where stretch marks can appear are frequently on the stomach, thighs, hips, breasts, arms, lower back and buttocks.

What causes stretch marks?

According to Pobee, stretch marks can appear on the body in some ways. “Stretch marks usually form as a result of rapid stretching of the skin due to rapid weight gain, significant growth, or hormonal changes such as those that occur during pregnancy.” Additionally, when the skin is stretched, collagen and elastin will be destroyed.

Products for stretch marks

While there are creams and oils that help fade stretch marks, you need to know the difference between them. “Creams” just like the one he recommends Weasel“are perfect for people with dry skin that requires intense hydration.” Meanwhile, oils, similar to her Bio Oil suggestion: “offer a lighter, faster-absorbing alternative,” Pobee says. “Depending on your skin’s daily needs, alternating between these two products can provide optimal benefits.” Pobee also suggests that when applying a stretch mark cream or oil, use it twice a day to keep the skin supple and well-nourished.

Treatments for stretch marks

There are many treatments for stretch marks, including laser therapy, retinoids, tretinoin, chemical peels, and microdermabrasion. According to laser therapy may help reduce stretch marks. The light-based treatment regenerates and repairs stretch marks and supports collagen production.

Retinoids, often called tretinoin, can also help reduce stretch marks. The Retinoids, a type of vitamin A, are known to help stimulate collagen, and patients can use retinoid creams to improve the looks of their skin.

A chemical peel, whether glycolic acid or lactic acid, may reduce the looks of stretch marks. Chemical peels, whether based on glycolic or lactic acid, may improve the feel of stretch marks. Finally, microdermabrasion exfoliates the skin for a good tone.

Xavier University, New Orleans Catholic HBCU and Ochsner Health signed a formal agreement on April 29 transfer medical school to university. Xavier Ochsner College of Medicine will join Howard University College of Medicine, Morehouse School of Medicine, Meharry Medical College and Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science because the nation’s only historically black medical schools.

As reported by the Associated Press, these medical schools will soon be joined by Morgan State University, which is currently trying to establish its own medical school. There is not any opening date for Xavier’s medical school; it might take up to three years to obtain accreditation from the Liaison Committee on Medical Education. From this point, the school can begin recruiting students for an initial class of up to 50 students.

Medical school suits in The City of New Orleans’ larger plan to create a New Orleans BioDistrict, which it establishes to support economic development and create jobs within the life sciences. The recent medical school also suits Xavier’s academic pedigree; has long been a university preparing students to attend medical schools across the country.

President Xavier Reynold Verrett issued a statement indicating that the brand new university will help address health disparities in medicine. “With the establishment of the Xavier Ochsner College of Medicine, Ochsner and Xavier aim to address long-standing health disparities and foster stronger, healthier communities, fulfilling the mission of promoting a more just and humane society given to Xavier nearly 100 years ago by our foundress, Saint. Catherine Drexel and her Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament.”

Dr. Leonardo Seoane, executive vp and chief academic officer of Ochsner Health, and chief medical officer first appointed dean of the brand new medical school, said: “This building will be a beacon of hope for young Black and brown children across the region, where they can be treated by doctors who look like them,” Dr. Seoane said, before describing the school’s intended impact on students. “If they’ll do it, I can do it too. This might be me.

Verrett reflected on the harm the medical community has done to Black people through lack of trust, saying, “If you want to consider the idea that trust and the lack of trust are a fundamental factor in health inequality and disparities, COVID was an unplanned experiment in which trust in the medical system it has become a barrier to quality care.” Verrett continued: “It took a lot of work to overcome (that mistrust) and get people to overcome those barriers, but we saw an excess number of deaths because of that lack of trust. So the (COVID) experiment has taught us something: When we talk about medical school, it has become a trust factor.”

Dr. Derek Robinson, a Xavier alumnus, founding member of Xavier’s medical school board and senior vp of the division and medical director at Chicago’s Health Care Service Center, told the outlet that he believes the medical school is an important a part of the hassle to increase inclusivity within the medical field. “I feel it’s really exciting.

“Xavier has been pursuing its mission for almost a century; its people, from all walks of life, help make the world more just and humane,” Robinson said. “This work will inspire bold efforts to advance inclusiveness in access to careers and health care in the US. It is not a duty that Xavier performs alone; it is a collaborative effort between universities and local health partners across the country to make a difference.”

Chemical peels are a trendy beauty treatment. Popular due to their regenerating properties, peels use acids (including: dermatologist’s preferred alternative for physical peelings) to remove dead skin. However, if you may have wealthy skin, using chemical cocktails may cause burns or discoloration should you aren’t careful.

“Deep chemical peels are generally not suitable for darker skin tones,” dermatologist and founder Rose MD skin Dr. Rosemarie Ingleton tells ESSENCE. Fortunately, peels vary depending in your skin tone and sort. That said, black women can still safely profit from treatment.

Below, Ingleton discusses all the things you need to know about chemical peels.

What is chemical peeling?

“A chemical peel is a controlled chemical exfoliation procedure,” says Ingleton. More suitable for wealthy skin tones, “superficial peels typically use more gentle acids, such as glycolic acid or salicylic acid, to gently exfoliate the outermost layer of the skin.”

According to American Academy of Plastic Surgeonsa lightweight chemical peel uses milder acids (corresponding to hydroxy acids) to treat uneven pigmentation, dryness, pimples and wrinkles. Meanwhile, “deeper peels may include stronger acids such as trichloroacetic acid (TCA) or phenol, which penetrate deeper into the skin” and will require up to 8 weeks of preparation and anesthesia.

How it’s working?

After cleansing your face, “the therapist will apply an acid solution to the skin to loosen the outer layer of skin cells and speed up cell turnover,” she says. As with microneedling, “this causes controlled damage to the epidermis.” The peeling is left on the skin for just a few minutes, which can cause a slight burning sensation, after which it’s washed off and neutralized. With controlled damage, the skin will regenerate and heal, which in turn can improve the tone, texture and overall appearance of the skin.

What are the advantages?

“Targeted chemical peels can be helpful for a variety of skin concerns,” she says, including dullness and discoloration, rough texture, energetic pimples, sun damage and visual signs of aging. You can perform a lightweight peeling every two to five weeks depending on the skin type, with higher results the more often you utilize the peels. However, watch out not to overuse them as it could damage the skin’s protective barrier.

Which peel is correct for me?

Although there are home chemical peels (e.g Shani Darden tri-acid chemical peel)“Chemical peels are best done by a trained dermatologist or experienced physician who can determine what type of peel is right for your skin and your specific skin concerns,” she says. For example, Ingleton warns that deep chemical peels are generally not suitable for darker skin tones because they may cause burns and discoloration. “In general, I always recommend starting with superficial chemical peels as they are suitable for most skin types, including sensitive skin, and do not require any downtime.”

How to prepare your skin?

Before going to your appointment, it is vital to let your skin know first. “I always recommend introducing fruit acid peels to your skin at least two weeks before starting a chemical peel,” she says, recommending RoseMD SuperFruit exfoliating tonic. This peel incorporates AHA acids that help the skin get used to chemicals. It may be used twice every week.

“You also want to stop using prescription retinoids 48 hours before peeling, and avoid anything that exfoliates the skin for at least 24 hours before treatment,” she says, including waxing, dermaplaning and scrubbing, in order not to irritate the skin. “It’s very important to communicate honestly with your provider to make them aware of any underlying issues you may have, such as a history of herpes or allergic reactions.”

What does recovery seem like?

For at-home or light in-office chemical peels, downtime shall be minimal compared to medium or deep treatments. “After a chemical peel, your skin may feel sensitive and flaky as it heals and regenerates, so it’s important to keep your routine extremely simple,” says Ingleton. “Use a gentle cleanser, basic moisturizer and SPF until your skin recovers.”