jgreene, Author at StretchMarks.org

Potentially Unsafe Chemicals to Avoid in Your Skin Care Products While Pregnant

Posted on November 11, 2018

There are certain things that are pretty obvious to avoid while pregnant. Smoking, drinking alcohol, and using drugs are at the top of every pregnant woman’s list of things to avoid. However, as an expecting mother, it’s not only ingesting chemicals that you need to worry about. According to the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, just being exposed to toxic chemicals in your environment can have “significant and long-lasting effects on reproductive health.”

Since simple exposure to chemicals can have adverse effects on your developing fetus, it’s important to choose your household cleaners wisely, and it’s also important to avoid chemicals in your skincare products. Skin care products that can expose you to potentially unsafe chemicals include shampoo, conditioner, hand soap, face wash, acne treatment, sunscreen, sunless tanners, makeup, and stretch mark lotions. Below are some potentially unsafe chemicals to avoid while pregnant:

Accutane

Commonly used to treat acne, Accutane has been linked to so many cases of birth defects that the FDA has imposed rules around its prescription that require women to have two negative pregnancy tests prior to the drug being prescribed as well as to agree to use two forms of birth control for the duration of time that Accutane will be used.

Dihydroxyacetone (DHA)

DHA is an ingredient commonly found in sunless tanners. Some studies have shown that DHA may be safe when applied as a lotion or cream during pregnancy because it will not penetrate the skin, but it can be dangerous when applied as a spray because of the likelihood of inhaling the chemical during spray application. However, since safer means of tanning are available during pregnancy, DHA is probably best avoided in all forms.

Diethanolamine (DEA)

DEA is a petroleum-derived chemical that is commonly found in shampoo, hand soap, hairspray, and laundry detergent. In studies of the chemical’s effects on pregnant women, it has been shown to inhibit brain development in fetuses and may also cause miscarriage.

Other Chemicals

Many other chemicals have been questioned as to whether use is safe during pregnancy or not. Questionable chemicals include parabens, benzoyl peroxide, and hyaluronic acid. The effects of these chemicals when used by pregnant women is unknown, so it’s best to check with your doctor to find out if your preferred skin care product is safe for use during pregnancy or not.

Stretch Mark Cream

One skin care product you’ll likely want to use frequently during your pregnancy is a stretch mark lotion or cream. Because these products help prevent stretch marks at a time when you’re at high-risk for stretch mark scarring, most women apply them at least once per day during their pregnancy to help prevent stretch marks. Because of the frequency of application, it’s important to avoid potentially unsafe chemicals in your stretch mark cream. Find prevention products that do not use the chemicals listed above.

5 Ways to Get Stretch Marks to Fade

Posted on November 9, 2016

Stretch marks can be destructive to your self-image. No matter how much weight you lose or how much muscle you gain, you feel bad about your appearance because of your stretch marks. You may have hoped initially that your stretch marks would go away over time, but they didn’t.

Fortunately, you can improve your self-esteem and get your body the way you want by having your stretch marks treated. The following treatments can help fade stretch marks so they’re less visible.

Microdermabrasion

Microdermabrasion uses a special tool to thoroughly exfoliate skin, removing dead skin cells and damaged skin and encouraging skin regrowth and regeneration.

Benefits: Microdermabrasion costs less than some of the other stretch mark treatments.
Disadvantages: Microdermabrasion only impacts the topmost layer of skin, not the middle layer of skin where stretch marks form. By improving the look of the outer layer of skin, microdermabrasion can make stretch marks less visible, but it will not get rid of stretch marks entirely.

Deep Chemical Peel

A deep chemical peel is a process where a dermatologist or cosmetic surgeon applies a chemical treatment to areas affected by stretch marks in order to burn away damaged skin and encourage skin regrowth.

Benefits: Deep chemical peels are capable of impacting the middle layer of skin where stretch marks form, so it has a better chance of significantly improving the appearance of stretch marks.
Disadvantages: It takes a long time for skin to heal after a deep chemical peel, and while you’re recovering from the treatment, your treated areas will be unsightly and will eventually scab before healing fully. Deep chemical peels are also expensive, costing as much as $6,000.

Microneedling

Microneedling uses a special tool covered in fine needles to damage skin and encourage regrowth and regeneration. The process has effects similar to microdermabrasion, but because needles can penetrate deeper than surface exfoliation, microneedling can be more effective in fading stretch marks.

Benefits: Microneedling can penetrate skin down to the dermis where stretch marks form, so it has a decent chance of encouraging skin regeneration in damaged areas and reducing the appearance of stretch marks.
Disadvantages: For microneedling to be effective, several treatments are needed. To improve the appearance of stretch marks, five or more treatments will likely be required, resulting in 4-6 months of treatments and potentially more than $3,000 in costs.

Laser Treatment

Laser treatment uses a focused laser to damage skin affected with stretch marks and encourage skin regrowth and regeneration.

Benefits: Laser treatment can be effective in fading or removing stretch marks, and it requires less recovery time than a deep chemical peel.
Disadvantages: For laser treatment to be effective, months of recurring treatments will be required, and costs incurred can run between $5,000 and $10,000.

Stretch Mark Creams

Stretch mark creams increase your production of collagen and other natural skin-regenerating elements, causing skin to regenerate and heal without damaging skin.

Benefits: Stretch mark creams are the least expensive treatment option for effectively fading stretch marks and can be purchased over the counter—no doctor trips are required.
Disadvantages: Stretch mark creams must be applied frequently and regularly in order to achieve maximum fading effects.

4 Surprising Facts to Consider Before Starting the Raw Foods Diet

Posted on November 7, 2016

If you despise cooking, the raw foods diet may be a good option for you. The diet encourages eating only raw foods and avoiding foods that have been cooked, preserved, microwaved, or genetically engineered. Individuals on the raw foods diet primarily consume organic fruits, vegetables, and nuts in either natural or smoothie form. Because meat and dairy products must be cooked or pasteurized before safe for human consumption, these foods are typically not eaten by individuals on the raw foods diet.

While individuals on the raw foods diet tend to lose weight quickly, not all outcomes of this diet are desirable. Keep the following facts in mind when considering whether or not the diet is right for you:

Raw Food Is Not Necessarily Better for Digestion

One of the biggest tenants of the raw foods diet is that cooking food destroys its nutrients, and it also destroys the natural enzymes found in food that promote proper digestion. However, cooking actually makes some foods more digestible. Additionally, cooking food can make food safer for consumption because it kills the bacteria that causes food poisoning.

The Raw Foods Diet Could Cause Malnutrition

While eating plenty of fruits and vegetables will provide lots of vitamins, minerals, and fiber, the raw foods diet tends to lack in important nutrients like protein, iron, and calcium. Lack of protein can cause fatigue, depression, and muscle loss; lack of iron can cause anemia; and lack of calcium can cause osteoporosis. All of these can result in serious long term damage to your health, so it’s important to speak with a doctor before starting a raw foods diet for tips on how to get all of the nutrients you need.

The Raw Foods Diet Is Difficult to Maintain

If you’re moving from eating large amounts of meat, sugar, and fast food to eating a diet composed solely of raw foods, you will almost certainly lose weight. However, eating only raw and unprocessed foods is a huge commitment in the long term because it will be very difficult—if not impossible—to enjoy things like having dinner with friends or participating in a cookout or potluck. The diet is really only practical if you’re preparing all of your food for yourself at home. Because of this, it is unlikely that you’ll be able to stay on the diet long-term, and moving from the diet back to a normal eating style may result in quickly regaining the weight you lost.

Rapid Weight Loss Can Cause Stretch Marks

If you’re hoping to lose weight in order to improve your appearance, you’ll want to keep in mind that losing weight rapidly can cause stretch marks. In order to avoid getting stretch marks while on the raw foods diet, you’ll want to apply a stretch mark prevention lotion over your skin each day. Check out of catalog of the best stretch mark prevention products to find one that’s right for you.

If You Think Models Don’t Have Stretch Marks, You’re Wrong

Posted on November 4, 2016

Models in ads and magazines have been promoting an unattainable level of beauty for too long. For decades now, real women with weight issues, stretch marks, and other blemishes have felt self-conscious while flipping through the pages of magazines, wondering how the women featured could be so beautiful, in such good shape, and have such flawless skin. How do they do it?

The answer is that they’re not what they appear to be. The magazines that publish these photographs do significant editing and retouching to make their models appear to be perfect when they’re anything but. Models, like regular people, struggle with blemishes, skin unevenness, and stretch marks, but with makeup and Photoshop, those imperfections can be easily covered up.

Victoria’s Secret Releases a Photo of a Model with Stretch Marks

Victoria’s Secret released images last month from a photoshoot of model Jasmine Tookes where stretch marks are visibly displayed on her hip, proving that even models have imperfections. The photos prove two things: one is that perfection as portrayed in magazines is a fairy tale, and the other is that it is absolutely possible to be beautiful even with imperfections. Tookes is no less gorgeous with stretch marks on her hip than she is with the stretch marks covered or edited.

While the photos were not released with any comment about the lack of editing, many companies have moved recently to feature more natural photos. American Eagle’s lingerie brand Aerie saw a 20% increase in sales after publicly announcing it wouldn’t Photoshop its models in 2014, and Sports Illustrated featured Ashley Graham on the cover of its “Swimsuit” issue this year. Graham, a size-16 model, is as stunning in her swimsuit as any skinnier model in the issue.

Reestablishing the Real Body as Beautiful

Many women have stretch marks. According to statistics, there are more women in the world with stretch marks than without. Stretch marks are caused by many factors, including pregnancy, weight gain, genetics, sun damage, puberty, and changing hormones. However, brands and publishers have historically taken so much effort to hide stretch marks on models that many women feel alone in their battle with striae, feel as though other women aren’t struggling with the same issues.

Complicating the self-image issues that go hand in hand with stretch marks is the fact that stretch marks don’t go away on their own and must be treated to fade or disappear. Some of the most effective treatment options are extremely expensive and require women to undergo months of appointments and treatments before seeing any visible effects, so getting rid of stretch marks for a lot of women just hasn’t been an option.

A Cost-Friendly Stretch Mark Treatment

Knowing that even models have stretch marks can make you feel more confident in your appearance. However, you don’t have to live with stretch marks forever. Many stretch mark removal creams are available over the counter that provide a cost-effective way to fade stretch mark scars.

How Tanning Puts You at Higher Risk for Stretch Marks

Posted on November 2, 2016

Most people know that stretch marks commonly develop at times of quick body growth due to stretching of the skin. Women often get them on their stomachs during pregnancy, weightlifters commonly get them on their arms and legs when working out results in rapid muscle development, and young girls and boys get them when going through growth spurts during adolescence. Periods of extreme changes in body size frequently causes skin to stretch, tear, and leave behind stretch mark scars.

Skin tears and leaves stretch marks due to extreme growth, but it can also stretch and tear more easily if you have a lack of collagen in your skin. Collagen is a fiber found naturally in the body that provides skin its elasticity. When collagen levels in the skin are low, skin is less flexible and more likely to tear and scar. Sunlight damages collagen fibers, so spending time in the sun or tanning bed can increase your likelihood of developing stretch marks by damaging skin’s elasticity and making it more likely to tear during pregnancy or when gaining or losing weight.

To reduce the likelihood of tanning damaging your skin and increasing the likelihood of developing stretch marks, consider these methods of strengthening skin to prevent stretch mark scarring:

Wear Sun Block

You don’t have to wear SPF 100, but wearing some sun block when spending time outdoors will help protect your skin and reduce the likelihood that the sun will damage your collagen fibers. It is best to avoid tanning beds altogether—not even sunblock will keep the tanning bed from damaging your skin.

Drink Plenty of Water

Drinking plenty of water will keep your skin hydrated and supple and will reduce the likelihood that you will develop stretch marks. It is especially important to drink plenty of water when spending long periods of time outside in the sunshine due to the heat and humidity causing you to sweat and dehydrate.

Eat Collagen-Restoring Foods

Certain foods will encourage your body to restore depleted collagen more rapidly. In order to promote collagen restoration, eat foods rich in Vitamin C (oranges, red peppers, brussel sprouts, and broccoli), foods high in phytonutrients (cherries, blackberries, and raspberries), and foods high in amino acids (garlic, lean meats, and egg whites).

Use a Stretch Mark Prevention Product

Once you’ve developed stretch marks, they are very difficult to get rid of without having to undergo an expensive treatment. While some products are available that will reduce the appearance of stretch marks, chances are that stretch marks will never fully disappear. For that reason, preventing stretch marks before they appear is the best approach for living a life free from stretch marks.

Many effective products are available over the counter for preventing stretch mark development. Lotions and creams with ingredients proven to strengthen skin and promote elasticity can be applied at least once per day during times when stretch marks are likely to develop in order to discourage their development. To find a stretch mark prevention product that’s perfect for you, check out our catalog of stretch mark prevention creams and lotions.

Signs That You May Develop Stretch Marks While Pregnant

Posted on November 1, 2016

Stretch marks are a common concern for expecting mothers, and with good reason: along with weight gain, rapid muscle development, and growth spurts caused by puberty, pregnancy is one of the most common causes of stretch mark scarring. Even women who follow all of the suggestions for preventing stretch marks sometimes get them anyway. If you’re concerned that you’re going to end up with stretch marks, consider these common signs that you may be at risk:

Itching

While stretch marks sometimes appear with no notice or symptoms, some pregnant women report their skin itching prior to stretch marks appearing. If you’ve been experiencing increased itchiness on your baby bump, you may be forming stretch marks. Using a stretch mark prevention lotion can help alleviate itchiness and may reduce your likelihood of developing stretch marks by strengthening your skin and improving its elasticity.

Excess Weight Gain

If you have a healthy BMI before you get pregnant, gaining between 25 and 35 pounds during your pregnancy is considered normal. Gaining more than 35 pounds may increase your risk of developing stretch marks by increasing stress on already-stressed skin. Eating healthy foods in moderation during your pregnancy can reduce your risk of gaining more weight than is necessary, decreasing your likelihood of forming stretch marks.

Family History

Unfortunately, there’s no way to prevent stretch marks if you’re genetically predisposed to developing them, but one possible sign that you have an increased likelihood of developing stretch marks is having a family history of stretch marks. If your mother developed stretch marks while pregnant with you, you may be more likely to develop stretch marks during your pregnancy. Taking steps to prevent stretch marks is much more important if you have a family history of striae.

Lack of Prevention

Doing nothing to prevent stretch marks may increase your likelihood of the skin on your abdomen and breasts tearing and scarring when it stretches to accommodate the life growing inside of you. To reduce the chances of this happening, take steps during your pregnancy to strengthen, protect, and elasticize your skin: use a stretch mark prevention lotion, wear sunblock when spending time outside, and drink plenty of water during your pregnancy.

Treatment

It’s important not to stress too much about stretch marks while pregnant. In the end, there may be nothing you can do to prevent them, and the stress won’t be good for your baby.

If you do end up with stretch marks, many treatment options are available after you give birth that can fade or remove stretch marks. A dermatologist or cosmetic surgeon can perform a variety of treatments like deep chemical peels, laser treatments, or microdermabrasion to reduce the appearance of stretch marks. However, these treatments can be expensive and time-consuming.

Over the counter stretch mark treatment creams can also effectively fade stretch marks and are a less-expensive alternative. Regular and frequent application will increase your likelihood of success with this treatment option.

What Causes Stretch Marks After Losing Weight?

Posted on October 28, 2016

Striae, more commonly referred to as stretch marks, are scars that form in the middle layer of skin when brittle skin stretches and tears. While stretch marks are most commonly associated with pregnancy and weight gain, losing weight is also a common cause. This surprises most people because skin isn’t stretching when you lose weight—it’s shrinking. However, there are a few reasons why stretch marks form as a result of weight loss:

Weight Loss Causes Stretch Marks to Appear

In some cases, it’s not losing weight that causes stretch marks—they were caused by gaining weight and just didn’t become visible until after you lost that weight. If you have preexisting stretch marks caused by weight gain, you won’t be able to prevent stretch marks when losing weight because they’re already there.

Excess Skin

If you’ve lost a significant amount of weight and have excess skin because of your weight loss, that excess skin can cause stretch marks because it weighs down other areas of skin. The excess skin pulls on healthy skin and can cause stretching, tearing, and scarring. If you plan to lose a lot of weight, using a stretch mark prevention cream daily can help prevent stretch marks from developing due to the weight of excess skin.

Muscle Gain

If you engage in strength training to lose weight, quick muscle development may cause stretch marks to form. Rapid muscle development can stretch skin to accommodate larger muscles, so strength training and bodybuilding are common causes of stretch marks. To help prevent stretch mark development, try to gain muscle as a sustained pace rather than very quickly, and avoid using steroids or other supplements that encourage rapid muscle development.

Rapid Weight Loss

Any rapid changes in the shape of skin can result in stretch marks, even the shrinking of skin caused by losing weight quickly. To prevent stretch marks from forming due to weight loss, try to lose weight at a consistent pace rather than all at once or very quickly. Dramatic diet changes and sudden intense workouts can cause rapid weight loss and stretch mark development, and these weight loss methods are also harder to maintain. You’ll have more success making gradual changes to your diet and exercise routines, and you’ll be less likely to develop stretch marks.

Treatment Options

If you are already suffering from stretch marks, there are many treatment options available for fading or eliminating stretch mark scars. Laser treatment, chemical peels, and microneedling are all procedures that a doctor can perform to minimize stretch marks scarring. A tummy tuck can also be performed in cases where you have both stretch marks and excess skin, though a tummy tuck is a highly invasive procedure that carries many risks.

An economical first step for stretch mark removal is to use a stretch mark removal cream. Available over the counter, a stretch mark cream may reduce the appearance of stretch marks and doesn’t require a doctor to perform a high-cost treatment.

Stretch Marks Q&A: What You Need to Know About Striae

Posted on October 26, 2016

Whether you’re currently suffering from stretch marks or are trying to prevent them, these answers to common questions will help you learn more about preventing and treating striae.

What causes stretch marks?

A number of factors can lead to developing stretch marks. A lack of collagen in skin caused by aging or sun damage can increase your likelihood of developing stretch marks. Hormonal changes associated with pregnancy, puberty, and steroid use can also increase your chances of getting stretch marks. Most commonly, people get stretch marks when the shape of skin changes rapidly: during pregnancy, after gaining or losing a lot of weight, after rapid muscle development, or after an adolescent growth spurt.

How do you prevent stretch marks?

Most commonly, people who are at risk of developing stretch marks use a stretch mark prevention cream to soften, strengthen, and elasticize skin. Other ways to prevent stretch marks include drinking the recommended amount of water each day to keep skin hydrated, eating foods that promote your body’s natural development of collagen to strengthen skin, and avoiding exposure to the sun without sunblock to avoid damaging skin and increasing skin brittleness.

Do stretch marks go away?

No. While stretch marks may fade in color over time—generally they start out as red and fade after a few months to a lighter white color—they will not go away on their own and must be treated to be removed.

Can men get stretch marks?

Yes. Men and women alike are susceptible to developing stretch marks. You may hear women talking about stretch marks more often simply because of the high risk of developing stretch marks during pregnancy, but men often develop stretch marks as well when gaining muscle rapidly due to bodybuilding or weightlifting, or when going through significant weight changes due to rapid weight gain or rapid weight loss.

How do you get rid of stretch marks?

There are many options available for fading and eliminating stretch marks. One popular and cost-effective option is to use a stretch mark removal cream. Available for purchase over the counter, a stretch mark removal cream may fade stretch marks and make them less noticeable. A doctor can also perform several types of treatments to fade or remove stretch marks, including microdermabrasion, chemical peels, microneedling, and laser treatment. However, keep in mind that these treatments can costs thousands of dollars and require many months of recurring procedures to be fully effective.

How can you tell if you will get stretch marks?

It’s impossible to know for sure if you will get stretch marks, so it’s important to take measures to prevent stretch marks when you’re experiencing an event where stretch marks are likely to form. Some medical professionals believe stretch marks may be genetic, so if one or more of your parents have stretch marks, you may be more likely to get them. Additionally, while some people report itching prior to stretch marks appearing, most often they form with no symptoms at all.

How to Avoid Developing Stretch Marks This Fall

Posted on October 24, 2016

Fall is a wonderful time of year. The leaves change to brilliant colors, you get to bring your sweaters, light scarves, and boots back out of the closet, and you get to look forward to some of the best holidays of the year. However, fall can be an easy time to fall into some of the habits that cause stretch marks to form. Consider these tips for preventing stretch marks as you enjoy the mild and beautiful fall season.

Don’t Go Tanning

As your summer tan starts to fade, you may be tempted to get a subscription at your local tanning bed facility, but don’t do it. Not only can the UV rays from tanning beds cause skin cancer, they also weaken your skin and make it more prone to tearing and scarring when stretched. The tanning bed damages the collagen in your skin, which is the protein that keeps skin healthy and elasticized, and if you damage your collagen, you may be more prone to getting stretch marks if you gain any winter weight.

Stay Active

It can be hard to stay active when the weather gets cool. Where in summer you’re enticed out for hiking, swimming, and just spending time in the great outdoors, fall and winter always feel like good times to curl up on the couch with a cup of hot cocoa and binge watch Netflix. However, staying active will help you avoid putting on any winter weight that could cause you to develop stretch marks. You don’t have to go outside to stay active if it’s freezing; just find an open space and do some cardio.

Avoid Sweets and Leftovers

If you can manage to avoid sneaking into your child’s Halloween candy, you’re a strong person. If you can’t avoid doing it, just try to make sure to limit what you eat. Consider getting rid of some of the candy as soon as trick-or-treating is over to reduce the amount available for both you and your kids to consume. Also try to avoid the leftover trap after Thanksgiving. When one of your relatives offers to send you home with a variety of half-eaten pies, politely decline.

Stay Hydrated

Hydrated skin is supple skin, and supple skin is less likely to form stretch marks if you happen to gain some winter weight. While you’re certainly going to want to indulge in a variety of hot beverages as the weather gets colder, make sure you’re also drinking the recommended daily amount of water.

Use a Stretch Mark Prevention Cream

If you gain winter weight every year and know it’s only a matter of time before you start putting on the pounds, consider using a stretch mark prevention cream through the fall and winter seasons. A stretch mark prevention cream will help strengthen your skin, and it can reduce the likelihood that your skin will stretch and scar if you happen to put on some weight over the cold seasons.

Great Halloween Costumes That Will Hide Your Stretch Marks

Posted on October 21, 2016

Women’s Halloween costumes tend to start with the word “sexy”: sexy cat, sexy nurse, sexy stewardess, etc. But if you’ve recently given birth and are suffering from stretch marks, you may be feeling anything but sexy, and you’re probably not looking for a costume that highlights the parts of your body that you’re anxious to keep hidden. However, having stretch marks doesn’t mean you have to dress up as a witch. Check out these creative and covering costumes for ideas for your Halloween costume this year.

Beatrix Kiddo

Mothers are awesome, and few movie characters have displayed how awesome mothers can be as much as Beatrix Kiddo from the Kill Bill movies. This costume is simple and easily recognizable, and it will cover up all of the areas you want to keep hidden. Best of all, you’ll feel like a ninja and a supermom wearing it. Get it for $49.99 from HalloweenCostumes.com.

The Mockingjay

If you’re looking to dress up as a more current powerful female character, consider wearing this Katniss Everdeen costume. It’s tight, so it may not be the thing if you’re feeling self-conscious about your post-pregnancy weight, but it will cover your entire body and will definitely keep you warn if you’re taking your little one out for trick-or-treating. Get it for between $69.99-$99.99 from HalloweenCostumes.com.

Plug and Socket

If you’re feeling cheeky and want to surprise your friends, consider talking your partner into dressing up with you as a plug and socket. The socket costume will cover any stretch marks or weight issues you’re trying to hide, and the plug will cleverly remind people that you just had a baby. Get the set for $69.99 from HalloweenExpress.com.

Zombie

You probably feel like a zombie if your new baby isn’t sleeping through the night, so play the part by dressing up like one. This zombie costume will cover up all of your problem areas, and it’s cute enough that you’ll feel like the most adorable zombie that ever walked the earth in search of brains. Get it for $49.99 from HalloweenExpress.com.

Orange Is the New Black

New mothers can sometimes feel like prisoners, but the feeling doesn’t last forever. Soon, your baby will be sleeping through the night and you’ll have time to use the restroom, shower, and take care of yourself again. In the meantime, though, play up the feeling by dressing up as a prisoner of Litchfield Penitentiary. This costume is available for only $29.99 from SpiritHalloween.com.

Prepare for Halloween 2017

Though you can cover your stretch marks with creative and clever costumes this year, if you start taking measures now, you may be able to wear what you want next Halloween without having to worry about stretch marks. There are many treatment options available for reducing the appearance of stretch marks or getting rid of them altogether. If you start using a stretch mark removal cream this fall, you may even be able to fade your stretch marks enough to feel good in a bikini before the weather gets warm again.