Collagen is the ingredient your stretch marks are craving
Collagen is one of those things we all know about, but do you know what it can do for your stretch marks? As well as being a great ingredient to keep signs of aging and cellulite at bay, collagen has a whole host of other uses that will keep your Bawdy looking gorgeous. Even though butt stretch marks are something we should all celebrate, not shy away from, looking after them is essential. And hey, if they’re making you feel insecure, then it’s totally fine to want to do your bit to make them less visible. No judgment here! While your collagen levels will generally be healthy if you eat a balanced diet and live a healthy lifestyle, applying collagen-rich cosmetics and masks to your stretch marks might be the magic touch your butt has been asking for. We’re digging into the truth about using collagen to treat stretch marks: find out exactly what it is, how it works, and what results you can really achieve by using it.
What is the role of collagen in the body?
Collagen is a protein that acts kind of like a flexible glue in your skin, joints, and other connective tissues. It makes up a third of all the protein in your body, and it’s produced naturally, as long as you are healthy. There are over a dozen different types of collagen, each of which has its own role to play in keeping your body looking and feeling good. As you grow older, collagen production slows down. And when we mean old, we’re not talking in your 90s: collagen production starts slowing down in your 20s. Yikes. "Starting in our mid-20s, we slowly begin to lose collagen," Dr. Ohara Aivaz told Cedars Sinai. "For women, we can lose up to 30% of our collagen production in the first 5 years of menopause,” she added.
Before you freak out about your declining collagen levels, there are lots of things you can do to support your body’s production of this versatile little protein. Eating a diet rich in amino acids can help your body produce collagen by giving it the two ingredients it needs to form the protein: glycine and proline. They can be found in foods including beans, chicken, fish, eggs, and dairy products. It’s not all about protein, though: vitamins help boost collagen production too. Leafy greens, citrus fruits, nuts, and whole grains all help your body by giving it vitamin C, zinc, and copper, which are all crucial to keeping up your collagen production. Applying vitamin-rich skincare can help too. CBD oil contains high levels of vitamin C, while ingredients like kelp contain a broad spectrum of vitamins, including vitamins C, E, and zinc. Our Bawdy Oil contains 300mg of CBD oil, whilst our Butt Balm contains both CBD oil and Mediterranean brown algae. Both products contain the powerful ingredients needed to give your stretch marks the best care and, best of all, you can have some fun while using them!
Why do I have stretch marks on my butt?
According to the Mayo Clinic, stretch marks commonly appear in several different places, including on your butt. The most simplified explanation for this is that you experienced stretched butt skin for one reason or another at some point. This stretching usually happens during puberty or pregnancy, but it can happen at any point when your body changes shape. They’re completely normal and aren’t something to worry about from a medical point of view. Risk factors listed by Mayo Clinic include having a family history of stretch marks, rapid growth, and having implant surgery. Despite these risk factors being super common, we’ve been brought up to see them as flaws. It’s pretty dumb considering that pretty much everyone has a certain amount of stretch marks… While we’re on a body positivity mission over here, it’s ok that there are things about your body that you’re not a massive fan of, and if butt stretch marks are one of those things, then we’ve got solutions coming right up.
How to get rid of butt stretch marks?
Much as it sucks, getting rid of stretch marks is pretty complicated. Making them fade is a more realistic option, and it’s something we can help with here. The first thing you’re going to want to consider is how long you’ve had the stretch marks. If they’re new, you can treat them with moisturizers rich in vitamins C and E. Massage the product into the stretch marks for best results. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, hyaluronic acid is also a beneficial ingredient in treating older stretch marks. Our favorite has to be collagen though, it helps skin regenerate and improves skin’s overall elasticity. According to research by Dr. Jeanne Moore et al., topical collagen may not prevent stretch marks from forming in the first place, it can be effective at diminishing their appearance and preventing new ones from forming too. Pretty neat, huh? There’s one small catch: you need to use it frequently. Now, we’re not about to suggest a boring skincare routine because nothing to do with your butt should be boring. But what about adding one of our famous butt masks to your weekly self-care routine? Our Bite It butt mask has all the collagen your butt skin could wish for, in one - well, two (one for each cheek) - easy to apply sheet mask.
How can I give my stretch marks the collagen they need?
If you’ve ever looked into getting more collagen in or on your body, you’ll have come across a whole load of ways of doing it. Supplements that come in pill and powder form, foods, special diets, drinks… And as for finding it in skincare, the options are endless too! It’s a pretty confusing collagen maze out there, so let’s debunk some myths. First of all, collagen supplements might not be your best option for stretch marks. There’s growing research to support the fact that collagen taken in supplement form is good for your skin from an anti-aging point of view, not much research has been carried out relating specifically to stretch marks and collagen supplements. A healthy, balanced diet is your best bet for getting collagen levels right inside your body.
When it comes to giving your skin some extra collagen love from the outside in, The Derm Review recommends looking for a product that’s designed to moisturize. As well as applying a daily collagen-rich moisturizer to your stretch marks, think about adding in a serum that’s rich in vitamins. A weekly butt mask will also ensure your skin is getting all the goodness it needs to be its most beautiful self possible.
The bottom line
Collagen might not be a miracle worker, but it’s a pretty magical thing. While it won’t be able to make your stretch marks disappear, it’ll certainly help them to fade. And your skin will feel pretty fabulous when you use it, too, because of its moisturizing properties! Practicing self-care is super important when you’re feeling a bit insecure about part of your body, and spending some time taking care of your skin is a great way to reconnect with yourself. Spend some time getting to know yourself better while taking care of your stretch marks with a skincare routine, and we’re sure that before long, you’ll start feeling better about them as they fade in gratitude for the extra care and attention you give them.