Is there an ideal stretch mark remover that will work for all stretch mark sufferers? Not likely. However, there are a number of stretch mark removers that are used with varying levels of effectiveness. Some of these tend to take the natural approach while others involve a more radical approach, like cosmetic or laser surgery. The reality is that stretch mark removal can be a complex and time-consuming task with the cost ranging from around for {over-the-counter stretch mark removal products to ,000′s for plastic surgery or treatments by laser~Removing stretch marks may be a complex process and require significant amounts of time, depending on the removal procedure selected, with the price tag in the area of for an effective stretch mark lotion to $1,000′s for cosmetic surgery or laser treatments}.

Which removal procedure works most effectively for you will be dependent upon the age of your stretch marks, your type of skin, and budgetary limits. A general overview of some of the more popular stretch mark removal procedures are detailed below:

Don’t Forget To Hydrate Yourself

Ingest just as much or more water as you drink coffee, tea, or soda. Stretch marks can also result from nutritional deficiency. Drink lots of water (at least two litres every day) – not soda or juices – because it assists your skin in staying flexible. If you are one of those persons who are addicted to coffee or tea, drink 3 litres of water every day.

Take Skin Supportive Supplements

Vitamin E is a critically important vitamin to take if you are pregnant to minimize stretch marks. Also, a cream containing Vitamin D will assist in the prevention of stretch marks. However, because Vitamin E alone won’t work due to the large size of their molecule; lanolin, which has smaller molecules, can be used to deliver the ingredients past the top layer of skin and aid with skin elasticity. If you suffer from stretch marks, Vitamin E is thought to improve them by blending away their appearance.

Stretch Mark Creams

The truth is that stretch mark cremes will not elimiinate your stretch marks totally, but can generally fade your stretch marks appearance to where the damaged skin blends with the surrounding normal skin. There are many stretch mark cremes and oils that have been made to keep your skin taut and firm throughout pregnancy and actually help in the prevention of stretch marks from starting. The creams and lotions that enter the skin in the deeper layers will provide longer-lasting moisture that is essential to healthy skin. These stretch mark removal creams are usually recommended for night applications to achieve the best results.

Surgical Procedures

Surgical procedures are generally the most expensive of the stretch mark elimination methods, though repeated laser treatments can result in similar prices. The truth is that surgical treatment is considered to be the most effective and conventional method in removing stretch marks. This method generally involves the removal of areas of skin where the stretch marks have developed. The second type of surgical treatment that can assist in the removal of stretch marks is laser surgery. This method is essentially non-invasive and doesn’t leave skin damage such as scars or incisions.

Laser treatment of stretch marks and scars are claimed to stimulate collagen production below the skin as the dermal skin layer absorbs the laser light, which in theory fills out the skin and helping to return pigment to the scarred area. However, there is still disagreement within the health care field regarding laser use to treat scars and stretch marks. Even now, many doctors and plastic surgeons feel that lasers cannot effectively treat stretch marks.

In summary, the stretch mark removal methods detailed above are all proven to work to varying degrees, depending on the person’s skin type, age of the stretch marks, and available budget. The least pricey of the stretch mark removers are the creams and lotions, which fade existing stretch marks and allow them to blend in with the surrounding skin. This approach is one of the easiest treatments and should be considered first — you may just be very pleased with the results while saving your hard-earned dollars!

If you have experienced stretch marks, it was most likely during puberty or a pregnancy where the skin underwent fast weight changes. However, you may be questioning what exactly causes stretch marks and how to fade stretch marks appearance once they form. As a general rule, stretch marks form in those body areas that store large amounts of fat, and they occur in the dermis, the skin layer which determines its shape.

What are Stretch Marks

Stretch marks begin as actual tears in a thinned or technically atrophic skin, with fine dermal collagen bundles arranged in straight lines parallel to the surface. This is your body’s defense mechanism at work in an attempt to heal these tears. The reality is that stretch marks are essentially scar tissue created by the body to heal damage caused by expanding skin that is too thin.

Referred to by doctors as “striae” (usually “striae distensae” or, in the case of pregnancy , “striae gravidarum”) stretch marks typically appear after a period of rapid weight gain or loss. They are most common in pregnancy and the teen years, when growth spurts and increased levels of steroid hormones cause major changes throughout the body. The reality is that almost 90% of pregnant females get stretch marks.

Stretch marks are actually skin lesions and are surprisingly the most common type of lesion. Stretch marks, or Striae, are most commonly located on the breasts, hips, thighs, buttocks, abdomen, and flank. Be aware that stretch marks are totally normal and aren’t considered a medical concern. The problem is that they can become an appearance issue and affect a person’s self esteem.

Stretch Mark Prevention – Your First Line of Defense

A secret to preventing stretch marks from developing is to maintain moisture in the skin during periods of weight gain or loss. This will help reduce stretch marks and for those that do appear, become less noticeable over time. A process of exfoliation and massaging nutrient-rich natural oils into the skin ,such as wheatgerm, jojoba or vitamin E, will help eliminate stretch marks from your susceptible areas.

The Art of Stretch Mark Removal

The practice of massaging the stretch mark affected location is important and increases blood circulation to the affected area, also assisting the healing process. Exfoliation of the area will also help stretch marks removal by shedding dead skin cells and allowing the stretch mark cream to penetrate more effectively into the damaged skin. A warning is warranted though – be careful not to overdo with the exfoliation as it may cause your already damaged skin to become extremely sensitive. Moderation is the key to helping remove stretch marks permanently!