So What are Stretch Marks?

Stretch marks are scars left behind when skin is overstretched, and fibers in the middle layer (dermis) have broken. They are usually found on the abdomen, breasts, buttocks, legs, and upper arms and tend to effect people during pregnancy, bodybuilding, extreme weight gain, occasionally puberty. Over the curse of time stretch marks will fade to a pale white color however when they are new they are red. It is possible to reduce and eliminate stretch marks however preventing them is a much better idea.

How to Prevent Stretch Marks

Stretch marks occur when the skins elasticity it stretched to its limit thus the best prevention occurs by reducing stretching increasing elasticity or both.

You can increase your Skin's Elasticity by any number of stretch mark creams and lotions. Cocoa butter is one ingredient that is said to help reduce stretch marks and even prevent them. Creams and lotions that are made to help prevent or treat stretch marks should have some benefit. However if you are pregnant or breast feeding consult your doctor first as these lotions could contain ingredients that may be passed to your unborn baby or into breast milk. Another option is usuing vitamins A, E or C. Supplementing these vitamins into your diet may help increase the strength and elasticity of the collagen within your skin and reducing your chance of forming stretch marks.

Removing Stretch Marks

There are many treatments to choose from, ranging from home remedies, to medical and cosmetic surgeries to remove stretch marks. These remedies also promote the health of your skin and thus make it easier for it to heal itself.

As stretch marks like all scars fade over time, time is an important home remedy. Exfoliating daily with a loofah or scrunchy will help improve your skin. Stretch mark creams and lotions will help in reducing the appearance of stretch marks as well as beautifying the skin. Ingredients such as Cocoa butter, Rose hip oil, Emu oil, Jojoba oil, Castor oil and Shea butter have proved beneficial for this purpose. Increasing your circulation by taking hot baths and massaging the areas regularly will help with treatment . Tanning can help eliminate and diminish small stretch marks although make sure you use sunscreen.

Medical Procedures for Stretch Marks

One medical stretch mark removal option is microdermabrasion, which is popular in spas and salons, the top layer of skin is removed by chemical means. Another is endermologie machines which massage and work the skin in order to increase circulation and expel toxins. And finally to reduce the appearance of stretch marks and heal the skin there are several laser therpy options available.

See your specialist for the newest information on stretch mark solutions.