Pick a language
English flag Italian flag Korean flag Portuguese flag German flag French flag Spanish flag Japanese flag Russian flag Greek flag Dutch flag                               
How to get rid of stuff » Household » How to Get Rid of Stretch Marks
 

How to Get Rid of Stretch Marks

June 23rd, 2006 by admin
1 Star2 Stars3 Stars4 Stars5 Stars (148)
Loading ... Loading ...
Republish     Print This Guide Print This Guide     Email This Post Email This Post        
 

1. What are Stretch Marks?

Stretch marksStrech marks are scars left behind when skin is overstretched, and fibers in the middle layer (dermis) have broken. They most often occur during pregnancy, bodybuilding, extreme weight gain, occasionally puberty and are usually found on the abdomen, breasts, buttocks, legs, and upper arms. Fresh stretch marks appear initially as red lines and then slowly fade to a pale white color over the course of several months. While it is possible to reduce and even eliminate the appearance of stretch marks, it is much easier to prevent them.

2. How to Prevent Stretch Marks

Since stretch marks occur when skin is stretched to the limit of its elasticity – it follows that the best prevention is either to reduce the cause of stretching or to increase elasticity (or both).

Increase your Skin's Elasticity

    Lotion
  • Skin Creams and Lotions – Lotions containing cocoa butter are rumored to not only help reduce stretch marks, but to help prevent them entirely. Any cream or oil that is made specifically for the prevention or treatment of stretch marks will help keep your skin healthy and elastic. If you are pregnant or breast feeding consult your doctor first as lotions can contain ingredients that may be passed to your unborn baby or into breast milk.
  • Vitamin A, E & C – Supplementing these vitamins may help increase the strength and elasticity of the collagen within your skin and reducing your chance of forming stretch marks.
  • Stay hydrated. Ever try to squeeze a dry sponge?

3. Stretch Mark Removal

If you’re more concerned with getting rid of stretch marks than preventing them, read on. There are many methods to choose from, ranging from home remedies for stretch marks, to medical and cosmetic procedures. You will notice that every single one of these remedies also helps promote the overall health of your skin – the healthier your skin is, the better it can heal itself. Always consult your doctor before undergoing any treatment, especially if you are pregnant or nursing.

Home Remedies to Remove Stretch Marks

  • Time – Stretch marks, like all types of scarring fade over time.
  • Retin-A (Tretinoin) – 0.1% Tretinoin creams have been shown to significantly reduce the appearance of stretch marks in a study published in the May 1996 Archives of Dermatology. See your doctor for a prescription. These creams work best when used on fresh stretch marks. WARNING: Do not use tretinoin treatments if you are pregnant of breast feeding as the active ingredient may be passed to the unborn child or the breast milk.
    • Vick's Vapor Rub
  • Exfoliate daily – use a loofah or scrunchy to remove daily.
  • Vic’s Vapor Rub – Many people have reported success using Vic’s Vapor rub by applying it to a washcloth or paper towel and rubbing it forcefully into the scarred skin on a nightly basis for a few weeks.
  • Increase Circulation – by taking hot baths and massaging the areas regularly.
  • Tanning – Go sunbathing! Tanning can diminish and even eliminate minor stretch marks. Be sure to use sun screen. (For information on Tanning, learn the guide to Tanning)
    • Vitamin E Gel
  • Vitamin E Gel – Break open vitamin E capsules and rub the oil into the skin over the stretch marks daily for 2 weeks.
  • Unstretch the skin – After the skin returns to its normal, unstretched size, stretch marks often become nearly invisible.
  • Stretch Mark Creams and Lotions – Using stretch mark creams and stretch mark lotions that heal and beautify your skin can reduce the appearance of stretch marks. The following ingredients are widely accepted as beneficial for this purpose:
    • Cocoa butter
    • Rose hip oil
    • Emu oil
    • Jojoba oil
      • Cocoa butter Castor Oil Vitamin E Cream
    • Castor oil
    • Shea butter
    • Vitamin A
    • Vitamin E
    • Vitamin C
  • Know of any more? Please use the form at the bottom of the page to share them with other visitors here.

Medical Procedures for Stretch Marks

    Surgery
  • Microdermabrasion – Microdermabrasion is a cosmetic procedure popular in spas and salons where the top-most layer of skin is removed by chemical or mechanical means.
  • Endermologie – Endermologie machines massage and work the skin in order to increase circulation and expel toxins.
  • Laser Therapy – There are several different types of stretch mark laser treatments available that can help reduce the appearance of stretch marks and heal you skin. See your dermatologist for the latest information on these methods.
  • Cosmetic Surgery – Strech marks typically appear below the belly button and the only way to remove abdominal stretch marks is with a tummy tuck. During a tummy tuck some of the skin below the belly button is removed. For stretch marks that appear on other areas of the body cosmetic plastic surgery can help depending on the areas affected.
    • * If you like reading this article you'll surely read how to get rid of butt stretch marks, how to get rid of stomach stretch marks and how to get rid of stretch marks from pregnancy.



Other Articles of Interest


 

 
Previous Tips »
  1. March 18th, 2010 at 5:45 pm    CiCi Says:

    PLEASE PLEASE HELP! im only 14 and im getting stretch marks on my thighs and stomach(by my hips) and i really need something that ACTAULLY works. ive tried a lot of products but i can’t seem to find one that works. ive been trying for 18 months to get rid of them , but they wont leave ! Will someone recommend a product that isnt to pricey that will work for me. its embarassing…please someone comment below and give me advice you’ll be my hero. :D

  2. March 18th, 2010 at 1:03 am    Luna Says:

    Well i suggest covering your self up then or just use the oils such as bio oil and more they help but they are alot of money for a small bottle or use lotion

  3. March 16th, 2010 at 7:05 pm    Maria Says:

    Losing weight does help get rid of the apperance of stretch marks.. ive been going to the gym for about a month now nd they look like theyre going away.. i aslo use mederma it has helped even more nd i drink alot of water.. youll notice the difference in just a couple of weeks!

  4. March 16th, 2010 at 1:55 pm    Claire Says:

    Hey Ricki,
    Try Belli Stretch mark minimizing cream its amazing. Also know that almost every girl gets them and your boyfriend will be understanding and not care as long as you’re open with him. Tell him your concerns but still be comfortable, confident and feel sexy. If your friends don’t understand they aren’t mature, I’m sure they have insecurities about their own body. I grew up in Malibu and would dread being in a bikini what a damper its put on my life, don’t make my mistake just be confident there’s nothing sexier to a guy. Good luck, have fun flaunt your figure.

  5. March 15th, 2010 at 11:09 pm    Ricki Says:

    I am 15 and I have strech marks on my breast and I am scared to go near guys…..because of how bad they are..well they aren’t that bad….but when I was talking to my friend…she says having strech marks on ur boobs are gross…. So I’m scared if she finds out that she will think I’m weird and I’m starting to get in to the habbit of fooling around with my bf….and I havnt been taking off my bra because I’m scared of what he thinks…. So every time he trys to take it off I run in to the bathroom…and think to my self I shouldt be scared of what he thinks….. But I don’t know and this summer I’m going camping with my friends…. And I’m sharing a tent with this guy…..and I’m scared to go because of this I wanna try boil oil stuff … But I heard it dosent work on many peope and I have 3 months to get rid of them….do any of u guys know how I can do that with out me spending any of my money…..please I want these gone like right now….I’ve been crying for the past months because I think I’m a freak…:( if I can get rid of these I would be sooooo happy with having normal breast…..please tell me what I can use…..

  6. March 15th, 2010 at 11:59 am    Juliet Says:

    Stretch marks appear when the middle layer of the skin (the dermis) breaks and the skin losses it’s elastic quality. I’ve suffered the embarrassment of my stretch marks for a while after my pregnancy.
    I looked for a solution to this problem but nothing seemed to work for me, I’ve tried ointments, creams and a lot of other false products that just didn’t deliver what they had promised.

    I finally got rid of my stretch marks and I am happier than ever : )

  7. March 14th, 2010 at 11:43 pm    francis Says:

    Strech marks hav ruined my life complety the one thing i always wanted to do is in da summer walk with my shirt off but i cant cus my stretch marks ar almost everywhere they are on my lower back on my shoulders my arms around my inner thigh and the side on my body im not fat just kinda tall..but why does this hav to happen to me..? ? im working out more to draw away the attention from the marks to my biceps and watnot but i feel like my life is ruined..

  8. March 13th, 2010 at 6:45 pm    Ashley Says:

    I understand where you ladies are coming from I am now 25 and started to get stretch marks when I had my son…..I mainly gained weight in my upper torso….so now I have stretch marks on my arms, tummy, and chest. I am using a derma roller, and Trilastin. I will keep you gals posted to let you know if its worth the try…you can get any derma roller on ebay.

  9. March 11th, 2010 at 7:45 am    maria Says:

    I am almost 15, and I have had stretch marks for a long time. I am slightly chubby, but not obese. I have tried bio oil and exfoliating, and I know people say that you shouldn’t worry about what people think, but I go swimming 3 times a week and people always ask about them; one girl even said she’d thought I had been pregnant because they were that bad? how long do they last for and are there any ways which always work?

  10. March 10th, 2010 at 9:37 pm    Stacey Says:

    I am 15 and have really visible streth marks on my inner and outer thighs, I’ve tried bio-oil for the past 6 months but it hasn’t done anything (which is disappointing because of the price!) and now trying cocoa butter. Will go to my local health shop and try and get something from there, but it is really embarrasing and I really want to get rid of them. Hope the tips on this page works! Does anyone know if losing weight will help reduce the appearance as well? May seem silly, but is it possible? Thanks

Previous Tips »


 






Copyright © 2006 by howtogetridofstuff.com