Many women get stretch marks after major life transitions; pregnancy, extreme weight loss or weight gain, steroid use and even the period of puberty can cause the skin to stretch at a rapid pace, leaving behind a set of scarred tissue that develops into stretch marks. Maintaining healthy skin during these times of transition is one way to reduce the effects; once stretch marks appear, however, they are usually there to stay.
Dermatologists and cosmetic surgeons have been developing innovative solutions to get rid of stretch marks or even reduce their appearance; there are now dozens of medical-grade stretch mark creams and lotions available, as well as laser and light therapy procedures that help to restore the skin. If you have unsightly stretch marks on your thighs, abdomen, arms or other areas of your body, consider some of these proven stretch mark removal treatments:
Fraxel for Stretch Mark Removal
Fractional laser resurfacing continues to be one of the most effective procedures for stretch mark removal.
Fraxel can help to smooth out existing stretch marks by damaging the skin underneath and triggering collagen production. Increased collagen makes the skin appear firmer, tighter and smoother, which an help reduce the appearance of stretch marks and restoring the skin’s elasticity.
Microdermabrasion to Get Rid of Stretch Marks
Microdermabrasion is an exfoliating treatment that is commonly used for the face; this procedure ‘sands’ away the top layer of skin to get rid of bumps, scars and lesions on the skin’s surface and reveal the healthier layer underneath. Microdermabrasion may help reduce the appearance of stretch marks in small areas such as the underarms or abdomen by smoothing out the skin’s surface.
Intense Pulsed Light Therapy for Stretch Mark Removal
Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) is used to treat a number of skin conditions such as acne and rosacea; it works by emitting high-energy waves deep into the dermis and stimulating collagen growth. Over time, the healthier cells can replace the damaged tissues and make stretch marks much less noticeable. While IPL treatments may help reduce the appearance of stretch marks, the treatments can be fairly expensive and patients may need to undergo several treatments to see results.
Topical Products for Stretch Mark Removal
Both over-the-counter and prescription skincare products are available for treating stretch marks, but the results will vary significantly for each person. If you’re interested in preventing stretch marks during pregnancy or a time when you are gaining weight, using a Vitamin E-rich moisturizer can help. If you want to hide existing stretch marks, the best strategy is to moisturize them with a rich shea butter or cocoa butter moisturizer, and exfoliate regularly to keep the skin buff and smooth. Prescription stretch mark removal creams are fairly intensive, and can be too strong for sensitive skin types; still, those who settle for prescription products may use retinoid cream and drugs such as Registril to achieve smoother and younger-looking skin.
Published: 01/09/2009, Last Updated: 01/09/2009
By LocateADoc.com Medical Staff Writers
Our writers strive to present an objective, upfront and open view of the medical procedures you're interested in. We present you with both the good and bad, and work to represent both doctors' and patients' points of view. Our articles contain facts and statistics from medical associations, medical and surgical journals, and through doctor and patient interviews.