Stretch marks are a form of scarring that can occur when a person’s skin is overstretched. Stretch marks have the initial appearance of purple or red looking lines. Over time, they will fade until they are pale in color.
Obesity and pregnancy are the most common reasons for the development of stretch marks. Stretch marks are a very common condition. Just think of all the people who have been either pregnant or overweight! Stretch marks are not just confined to the female population. It might surprise you to know that male body builders suffer from this condition also.
The good news is that there are several treatments for stretch marks that have been shown to be highly effective. Following is some information on the top three methods of treating this problem.
1. Dermabrasion. General anesthesia is required when you undergo this kind of stretch mark surgery. Dermabrasion is useful for reducing the visibility of abnormalities on your skin such as sun damage, dark spots and scars. The surface of the skin is literally sanded off during this procedure.
Dermabrasion works best when the scar or mark being treated is above the surface of the skin. It’s generally much less effective when used to treat sunken scars. This surgery involves a fair bit of pain and it can take months to heal completely. But the final result can be very impressive.
2. Microdermabrasion. Popularly known as microderm, this treatment is much less invasive. It’s a popular, easily accessible treatment that doesn’t require an anesthetic. It involves removing the surface layer of the skin by using a special wand with a roughened surface to lightly sand the skin. People like microdermabrasion because it has a reputation for being a safe, painless procedure.
3. Creams and lotions. There are hundreds of products marketed these days that claim to prevent or eliminate stretch marks. Some people swear by remedies such as Vitamin A cream, cocoa butter or various specially formulated creams.
There are several of these treatments that have scientific evidence showing that they can minimize the look of stretch marks. Revitol, NuVectin and Trilastin are stretch mark treatments that many people have had good results with. Keep in mind that these products are generally more effective at preventing stretch marks than eliminating them.
However, many products tend to overstate their ability to get rid of stretch marks. It’s important that you read some independent customer reviews on any stretch mark product before you buy it. Do a web search for the product you’re considering, and examine sites that aren’t associated with the manufacturer. Be sure to investigate the manufacturer’s website and research the source of their product claims if you can.