How To Get Rid Of Stretch Marks

Causes of Stretch Marks and Available Treatments

Stretch marks are a form of scarring that appears with an off color hue on the skin. Stretch marks are caused when the dermis tears, and over time they may be able to diminish but they can never completely disappear. They may come as the result of rapid stretch of the skin which is associated with rapid growth or rapid weight gain, such as resulting from growth during puberty or weight gain during pregnancy.

While the dermis is relatively elastic on its own, when the rapid stretch caused by growth or weight gain overcomes this natural elasticity, stretch marks can appear as a result. Although stretch marks are commonly associated with the result of pregnancy or obesity, they can also develop when muscles grow rapidly or during the natural growth associated with puberty. New stretch marks appear as purple or reddish lines, and are quite visible especially on pale skin. As time passes, these stretch marks tend to fade gradually into a lighter color but they always appear as empty areas and have a different texture than the surrounding skin.

Stretch Mark Prevention

Between 75 percent and 90 percent of all women who become pregnant end up developing stretch marks to some degree, not only on their bellies but also on their breasts and elsewhere as they grow to accommodate the baby. Stretch marks are especially common during the sixth and seventh months of pregnancy as a result of the sustained hormone levels that are normal during this time. There has only been a single controlled study so far that claimed having tested whether any oils or creams could prevent stretch mark development. The study found that by applying a cream called Trofolastin on a daily basis, fewer stretch marks were perceived during pregnancy. Trofolastin is a cream that contains Centella Asiatica extract, Vitamin E and collagen-elastic hydrolysates. Another study examined a cream called Verum that contained vitamin E, Panthenol, Hyaluronic Acid, Elastic and Menthol. Although this study lacked a placebo control group, it was also associated with fewer stretch marks during pregnancy in comparison to no treatment at all.

Stretch Mark Removal and Treatments

Once stretch marks have already appeared, the ideal treatments for treating them are going to be different than those used to prevent them in the first place. Cocoa butter, for example, has often been regarded as an effective moisturizer capable of preventing and reducing stretch marks once they have formed, but no scientific studies have been conducted to confirm or deny this belief. There are various other treatments that are available for improving the appearance of stretch marks once they appear. Some of the options that are available for people looking to reduce their stretch marks include laser treatments, prescription retinoids, dermabrasion and creams and oils.

Natural Removal of Stretch Marks - There are a number of different natural stretch mark removal methods including the use of creams, lotions and even diet and exercise strategies that are designed to help repair the skin. While these natural stretch mark removal methods are certainly more cost effective than the more invasive options, these options also tend to be less effective in completely removing the stretch marks. While there are natural stretch mark removal products that can fade stretch marks over time, the only effective ways to remove them completely are through laser and surgical techniques.

Laser Removal of Stretch Marks - Laser removal of stretch marks is a surgical procedure that involves using a laser in order to remove areas of the skin that have been affected by the stretch mark scars. Once the old skin with the stretch mark scarring has been removed, the body will naturally grow new, healthy skin to replace it. In most cases this form of stretch mark treatment is going to require numerous treatments in order to completely remove the stretch marks. This is a procedure that is considered to be quite safe, and has shown an extremely low incidence of any side effects. What side effects do occur are considered to be both temporary and minor in nature.

Surgical Removal of Stretch Marks - Surgical stretch mark removal is regarded as one of the most conventional treatments available, and is also considered to be the most consistent in terms of effectiveness. Surgical stretch mark removal techniques typically involve removing areas of stretched skin. For example, in a tummy tuck procedure, the skin below the belly button where the stretch marks are the most prominent is removed. There are similar techniques for skin removal that have been designed to handle other problem areas. These are extremely effective surgical techniques, but clearly they are also more invasive than the other options available to you, and they involve a much longer recovery time as a result.

Other Removal of Stretch Marks - Cosmetic dermatologists often offer a variety of different non-surgical alternative treatments to remove stretch marks. Some of the most popular and effective options include but are not limited to blue light therapy, chemical peels and microdermabrasion. There are excellent options for any patient that wants an effective treatment but without having to undergo surgery. Additionally, these alternatives are generally much more cost effective than laser stretch mark removals and surgical stretch mark removal. Like all other non-surgical treatments for stretch marks, these options tend to be most effective on stretch marks that are newer. Stretch marks that are more mature may require surgery as the only solution for complete removal.

The first step is clearly to attempt preventing stretch marks all together, using creams and oils developed for the purpose. If you do develop stretch marks due to weight gain from pregnancy or growth of muscles, there are a number of different treatments that are available for your consideration. Ultimately the choice is up to you regarding which stretch mark removal treatment you opt for, depending on how comfortable you feel with surgical removal treatments, laser treatments, other non-surgical alternatives, creams and oils.