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How to get rid of stuff » Health Problems » How to Get Rid of Stretch Marks
 

How to Get Rid of Stretch Marks

June 23rd, 2006 by admin
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The first thing to consider with stretch marks is over the counter remedies.  They come in the form of creams, butters, oils and lotions.  Some suggest that using a couple of different products at different times of day yields the best results.  Basically, try to get the best of more than one product.  Some to consider include:
1 - Mustela Stretch Mark Double Action.  This cream is soothing and helps both before and after the stretch marks occur.  It works by fading them combined with making the skin more elastic.
2 - Bella B Tummy Honey Butter.  This great product has been around for years.  Some people prefer the earlier formulations but we assume they must be learning so the later one should work better.
3 - Bio-Oil Specialist Skincare or Earth Mama Angel Baby Natural Stretch Oil.  These natural oils helps the skin stay soft so the stretch marks do not get worse.
4 - Keri Renewal Stretch Mark Minimizer.  This mostly works to help hide stretch marks.  It really does help them blend in so they are much less noticeable.  Works great on dark ones especially.
5 - Urban Skintrition Stretch Mark Cream with Shea Butter, Vitamine E, C and Collogen Repairing agents.  Yes that is actually the name of the product and I think that pretty much explains it.
6 - Maderma Stretch Mark Therapy.  This is a cream that helps the skin recover from stretch marks.

1. What are Stretch Marks?

Stretch marksStretch 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.
    • 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.
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  1. January 19th, 2012 at 1:03 pm    Brandy Says:

    Here’s my 6 month update on the Stretch Stops Here kit and also a question for those that are using it. Basically, I owe you all who recommended it a HUGE “thank you” because like everyone here, I’ve been having really awesome results, I have a vacation coming up next month and it will be the first time I’ll feel comfortable enough to wear a swim suit which is a huge step for me! Marks are only slightly visible where they were deepest, but I continue to see progress. Im buffing twice a week and I was wondering if anyone has moved to 3 times per week? I just want to look perfect for my vacation, so I figured I’d do it more often. I know you need time between sessions for skin to repair, so I don’t want to overdo it, but could anyone give me advice if they’ve done it more often? Thanks!! -Brandy

  2. January 12th, 2012 at 9:50 pm    Megan Says:

    I am a freshman and I have very big thighs and strech mark all over.
    I am so embarresed.
    Summer vaction is coming up and I need tips fast.

  3. January 7th, 2012 at 4:18 pm    Krista Says:

    HELLO everyone I have 2 beautiful children 1 1/2 and 3 1/2 I have always been thin naturally, I have LOTS of stretch marks… DO NOT waste your $$ on CELTRIXA its a SCAM!! the cream does work but for a extreme price, they have no free trial, winds up being about $30 a bottle and they DO NOT return any money to you they will keep charging the card you give them until you cancel it FYI!!!
    ………CELTRIXA….SCAM………**********************************************

  4. December 28th, 2011 at 11:30 pm    Laura Says:

    I am 17 years old and have white horrible stretch marks on my tush, any tips ?

  5. December 14th, 2011 at 12:02 am    maisy Says:

    Hey i am a teenager and i use to be overweight and i have lost weight but seem to still have streach marks that i am ashamed of….anytips to make them go away really quick

  6. December 5th, 2011 at 12:35 pm    jay Says:

    I ahve had a baby 6weeks ogo and have strechmarks thats are just horrid.. i do not feel great in my skin at all.. i cant afford cosmetic surgery so i would honestly like somthing that really gets rid of strechmarks.. best reccomended things todo please.

  7. December 1st, 2011 at 3:14 pm    Sammy Says:

    I have stretch marks on my stomach, inner thighs, and on my hips from my pregnancy with twins. I have been using Palmers Stretch Mark lotion for the last week and my scars look so much better. It is not reasonable to think that they will disappear, as damage has been done to the skin, but not my stretch marks are pale (almost clear) they are smoothed out, and my skins looks almost back to normal! I would highly recommend this product.

  8. November 9th, 2011 at 12:13 pm    Maddy Says:

    Hey everyone, Ive been using Stretch Stops Here Kit for a few months and it has helped TONS. Some of my shallow marks are almost gone completely and the deeper ones are fading over time. Was wondering what you do between treatment days? Do you use the Cellular Renewal Fluid in the kit, regular lotion, cocoa butter? I have a vacation to go on in December and I want to do what’s best, and I know a lot of you are pros with this kit. THanks!

  9. November 6th, 2011 at 2:15 am    Kate Says:

    Stretch marks are kind of part of life. Most people have at least one or two, since your body changes rapidly at some parts of your life (pregnancy, puberty, etc). I’m 24 and I use to be very overweight and lost 80 pounds, so I have them on my back, stomach, behind my knees, on my inner biceps, and inner thighs and butt. Nope, they aren’t attractive, but they also are something that we cannot always control and sometimes you just need to accept. Mine have faded over time and I have found that taking Women’s One A Day with Skin support along with cocoa butter helps somewhat, but without surgery they probably aren’t going anywhere.

  10. October 30th, 2011 at 12:04 am    Katherine Says:

    I’m a teenage girl and have minor but embarrassing stretch marks on my sides, thighs and butt. I’m not over weight. I’m 5′8″; 130 lbs. But the stretch marks still cause me to be very self concious. I need to get rid of them as fast as possible. Any tips?

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