Getting Rid of Stretch Marks Isn’t Impossible

April 5th, 2009 by admin

Stretch marks are a form of scarring that can occur when a personâ€™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.

The two main causes of stretch marks are pregnancy and obesity. 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. Few people realize that they are a common complaint of male body builders as well.

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. This is a type of stretch mark surgery that takes place under general anesthetic. The aim of dermabrasion is to remove or lessen the appearance of scars, damage from the sun or dark spots. In this procedure, the surface of your skin is sanded off using special equipment.

This procedure is most effective is the scar is raised above the skin’s surface. For the treatment of sunken scars, though, it’s not nearly as effective. The procedure is very painful and the healing process can take several months. However, the results can be truly amazing.

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. Microdermabrasion enjoys a reputation as a painless treatment that is perfectly safe.

3. Skin treatment creams. There are hundreds of products marketed these days that claim to prevent or eliminate stretch marks. Creams and lotions containing Vitamin A, cocoa butter or an assortment of other ingredients are highly popular.

Some of these products have a lot of research behind them and can be quite effective at reducing the appearance of stretch marks. Some of the more effective treatments for stretch marks are Trilastin, Revitol and NuVectin. Keep in mind that these products are generally more effective at preventing stretch marks than eliminating them.

Use caution, though, because some of these products don’t get rid of stretch marks as effectively as they claim to. Before using any product that claims to eliminate stretch marks, try to find some unbiased customer reviews. 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.