This is a pretty silly question when you first glance at it.
but i was reading an article about stretch marks and it said this,
"However, some believe that the term stretch mark is a misnomer and they are not caused by the stretching of the skin at all. It has been suggested that stretch marks are caused due to an increased level of a hormone called glucocorticoids, circulating through the bloodstream."
usp labs claims the product has anti-glucocorticoid effects.
any thoughts
The vast majority of stretch marks are formed by rapid weight gain in a short amount of time (I.E. Pregnancy, weight training, growth spurts during puberty) causing micro tearing of the elastic skin matrix (collagen and elastin) provided by the middle layer of the skin (or dermal layer.) Due to constant excessive stretching beyond its capabilities, micro damage is resulted through tearing and thinning of the skin matrix layer responsible for the shape and form of the skin. This causes the body to build up scar tissue in the affected area resulting in stretch marks.
Some other common factors that can be associated with stretch mark development are genetics, ethnic backround, long term corticosteroid (topical and enteral) therapy, or a medical condition known as "Cushing's Syndrome."
Some theories have been suggested that the glucocorticoid cortisol can play a role in the development of stretch marks. This is thought to come about due to the effects cortisol can have in reducing the skins ability to make more collagen and elastin (which supports its shape and ability to stretch) due to hypofunctional ability of those fibroblasts that make the collagen and elastin fibers. Inhibiting this pathway limits the body's ability to attenuate any issues of increased skin matrix stretching and tearing leading to scar tissue/stretch mark formation as an end result.
I've read many studies on this, and the great majority of these people either had been taking enteral (pills by mouth)/topical corticosteroid interventions for long periods of time as part of medical treatment. (I.E. people affected by COPD (Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), Asthma, Psoriasis, and auto-immune disease states (Chron's, Lupus, Celiac), or they had the disease process called "Cushing's Syndrome" in which the body produces excessive glucocorticoid formation (mainly cortisol).
In other words, the average person with fairly normal cortisol levels (without a contributing disease state, or constant corticosteroid interventions) should not have these issues to any significant degree what-so-ever.