Stretch Mark Treatment Options

Stretch marks can appear your body for a variety of reasons including rapid weight loss or gain, pregnancy, or the changes to your body from puberty. Stretch marks happen when the skin stretches past its normal limits when the outside layer eventually becomes damaged. They can appear on several parts of the body, such as the thighs, buttocks, abdomen, and breasts.

If you’re like most women with stretch marks, you’ll probably want to do something to correct them. Fortunately, there are several treatment options for you to consider. Some of these treatments are superior to the others and some can be risky.

For people who have too many of these scars that they would like to get rid of, stretch mark surgery is a possibility. Abdominoplasty, better known as a tummy tuck,  is a cosmetic surgery procedure developed to make the abdomen firmer. This procedure involves removing the excess skin and fat from the middle and lower abdomen so that the muscle and fascia of the abdominal wall can be tightened. Patients with loose tissues from pregnancy or major weight loss can find this option useful.

Dermabrasion is a  procedure that involves removing layers of skin to get the skin to regenerate. Healing typically happens as early as 7-10 days. There are some potential disadvantages though. There can, for example, be temporary or, less often, permanent changes in skin color. There is also the risk of infection and the formation of scars.
Chemexfoliation better known as chemical peels or derma-peeling can improve the appearance of the skin by use of a chemical solution that causes blisters that are eventually peeled away. This involves the use of chemicals like glycolic, trichloroacetic, salicylic, lactic or carbolic acid that are applied to help regenerate skin.

Laser therapy is another way to remove stretch marks. It can be used on deeper and older stretch marks as well as the newer marks. This procedure heals the skin from the inside out by promoting the production of collagen to minimize the appearance of stretch marks.  Laser treatment involves the removal and breaking down the skin’s tissues. It will involve a series of treatments, perhaps 6-8 over several weeks. This can be very expensive.

A more affordable option is the use of lotions and creams for the treatment of stretch marks. Noteworthy brands include Revitol Stretch Mark Cream, Trilastin SR, and Stretta Cream. These can be used for prevention, treating newer stretch marks, or smoothening old rough ones. A good quality cream works to smooth out the skin and blends its pigmentation helping reduce the redness or silvery white marks. They include ingredients that help to give nourishment to the skin. This is the most convenient and cost effective way to address a stretch mark problem.