The Only Real Way to Get Rid of Stretch Marks

Getting rid of stretch marks may seem like a daunting, never-ending story. In some ways, it can be. As much as we hate to be the ones to break it to you, there’s no surefire way to erase them. But there’s no need to lose hope.

The good news is that there are a number of real ways that you can potentially improve those unsightly marks, so they become nearly invisible over time. Similarly, certain steps can be taken to help prevent stretch marks from occurring in the future. Let’s take a closer look.

What are stretch marks?

Stretch marks have nothing to do with stretching at the gym. They’re indented streaks in the skin caused by superficial scars that may develop any time the dermis layer of the skin is torn, dermatologist Dr. Macrene Alexiades-Armenakas said in an interview with Harper’s Bazaar. Many people equate stretch marks with pregnancy and it turns out sporting a baby bump is one of the most common causes. The same story said approximately 90% of women will experience them during the last trimester when the skin is most prone to a high degree of stretching to accommodate the growing baby.

But stretch marks in the skin can occur in men and non-pregnant women. They can also crop up on breasts, hips, buttocks and thighs, according to the Mayo Clinic. While genetics plays a huge role in who will get stretch marks, other factors include rapid weight gain or loss as well as high hormonal levels during puberty.

How can stretch marks be treated?

While no magic potion currently exists to erase stretch marks, you can minimize the appearance with time, patience, and a few helpful products. “Many stretch marks improve a lot over many months without treatment,” Dr. Oscar Hevia, a cosmetic dermatologist, told StyleCaster. “But, since stretch marks are essentially a scar from the inside out, there is no treatment that makes them disappear completely.”

Retinoid cream may be one of the most promising DIY treatments. Derived from vitamin A, retinoids such as tretinoin (Retin-A, Renova, Avita) that you apply to your skin may improve the appearance of stretch marks that are less than a few months old, according to Mayo Clinic. Tretinoin can help to rebuild collagen, making the stretch marks look more like your normal skin. However, it’s important to note that tretinoin can irritate your skin. And if you’re pregnant or nursing, make sure to check with your doctor about other treatment options because possible side effects of retinoid cream may affect the baby.

If you’d rather avoid retinoids, The Organic Beauty Expert said castor oil can be a good substitute to reduce the appearance of stretch marks. Apply the oil to the affected area and massage gently in a circular motion, then use a clean cloth to wrap the affected skin. Next, use a heating pad on the spot for at least 30 minutes for the best results.

Light and laser therapies are a more intense option. In the Harper’s Bazaar story, Alexiades-Armenakas said that the best bet for treating red or active stretch marks is with in-office treatments using a pulsed dye laser. “It won’t work if the marks are old and no longer red,” she told the publication, “But if you catch stretch marks early, you can help reverse them and prevent scarring or permanence in one to three monthly treatments usually.”

The Mayo Clinic also highlighted microdermabrasion as a solid solution. A hand-held device blows crystals onto the skin, gently removing its topmost layers, which promotes the growth of new, more elastic skin. This makes stretch marks less noticeable.

The Derma Roller System is an at-home option you can try as well. According to the product, it can be used to improve the appearance of stretch marks, such as those developed during pregnancy, adolescent growth spurts, rapid muscle growth, and weight fluctuations. Again, this is according to the product, so it’s best to remain a bit skeptical.

How to help prevent stretch marks

While total prevention is never a guarantee when  it comes to stretch marks, you can take matters into your own hands through a few at-home treatments, some of which can duly help lessen the appearance of existing stretch marks.

First of all, it’s imperative to keep the skin as healthy and hydrated as possible, according to Dr. Kishan Raichura, a skin health expert. He told The Huffington Post UK, “While it’s impossible to entirely prevent them, pregnant women can improve skin condition to hopefully reduce the chances by keeping the area well moisturized and nourished.” Coconut oil or olive oil are both great, all-natural products to use in combination with vitamin E oil or cream to help keep collagen fibers strong. And keep in mind, drinking enough water is the best way to stay hydrated from the inside out.

In the same story, Dr. Erich Schulte, founder of QMSMediCosmetics, also mentioned skin exfoliation as an important part of your daily regimen. “It is a key benefit as it continues to stimulate the cell turnover and works well in conjunction with body-firming creams,” he said in the story. You can exfoliate the skin through dry brushing or by using an exfoliating wash. Sugar is also an all-natural exfoliator; mix it with a few drops of lemon juice and almond oil to make a paste, then gently rub it over your skin.

Nutrition also plays a role. Top 10 Home Remedies suggested eating a balanced diet rich in vitamins C and E, zinc, silica, and other nutrients to help nourish the skin. The antioxidant vitamin E is especially crucial as it protects the collagen fibers in your skin from damage, which promotes skin elasticity. Almonds, olives, sunflower seeds, spinach, avocados, and pumpkins are all high in vitamin E.

The most important thing to remember is to be flexible in stretch marks treatment. Find what best works for your body and your lifestyle.

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Acting Properly In The Case of Red Stretch Marks

Our first reaction and treatment towards a skin condition, often affects the results afterwards. The same can be said for red stretch marks.

No one wants them. They are searingly red, really appearing like enormous scars, they look like you tried to shave yourself with a knife, or like if a tiger tried to rip you to pieces, but didn’t quite make it.

What’s more, the older these scars get, the more they turn to a white/silver color and at that point they mostly stay like that, staying somewhat noticeable for the rest of your life. So if left untreated, there is almost a 100% that those stretch mark will never, ever get healed on their own. Your skin is just not strong enough by itself.

But, you are actually in luck.

Yes, you heard that right, you are in position that many women would want to change immediately. Why is this?

It is simply because of the fact, that stretch marks are the easiest to affect when they are red. When they are red, they are fresh, like an open wound ready to be patched up fast. Your body heals the fastest then, the most thoroughly and the most effectively. So those women who have white or old stretch marks.. Their healing has slowed, it’s a lot less than it used to be.

And if you wait yourself for that to happen, at that point, they will already be so ingrained in your skin that it will much more harder to remove them. This is even more true as for removing white stretch marks, there is a whole guide by itself needed.

How do Red Stretch Marks Even Show Up?

1. When stretch marks are first formed because of the ripping of the dermis(second) layer, the first layer(the visible one, the one that gets shown to everyone) follows along and stretches and thins itself. Like a domino effect where every piece falls if the first one does.
2. When the stretching is more or less over, all that remains are vicious red scar like markings. Some people call them claw marks, but they are red stretch marks.
3. If you just leave it as it is, after a year or a few years depending on your skin, the first layer is slowly rebuilt and tightened. However, in very rare cases does it ever heal completely, so it will always leave behind a white/silver stretch mark, always reminding you and everyone that sees it that you have stretch marks.

You can help the Skin!

If you do indeed have red stretch marks, right now you need to get cracking, right now. Your skin will not wait for when you feel like helping it, it will do its work, however sloppy it may be. So until you still have red stretch marks, start helping it as soon as possible.

Every way to help your skin, like a healthy lifestyle, using minerals and vitamins, creams, even derma-rolling, laser surgery and many more, are the most effective during this time so get doing as soon as possible if you want to ever have a body without those nasty scars.

This is also why some reviews that you can read on certain creams, are almost never completely positive as some creams are only effective against red stretches and barely do anything for older white ones, so as said before, you are in the best time to make the change by helping your skin.

Oh come on, Can we get to the skin helping phase please?

Alright, alright.

Now, what can you do?

You can know all the knowledge of the world, but if you take no action, nothing will change at all.

For this reason, let’s get some pointers!

A before and after picture of following the pointers, with good success.

The following pointers should be followed for the best effect, the more you follow, the better the results will be:

• Drink Water / Eat The Right(Healthy) Foods / Be Active (better body performance equals better skin performance, this does not mean to choke yourself on salads)
• Use Creams / Whether Homemade or Purchasable (homemade is cheaper, bought is usually better in results)
• Moisturize, Moisturize, Moisturize (moisturized skin is a happy skin, and a happy skin = Happy You)
• Start As Soon As Possible (read next point)
• The Younger You Are, The Better (younger skin is exponentially better at repairing scars, the older you are the slower it gets)
• Be Female… 🙂 (as women on average produce more collagen, the main protein of the skin elasticity and healing)
• But don’t worry if you’re a man.. (apart from the collagen production, everything works just as well for you)

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Can Stretch Marks Go Away?

Stretch marks are a cause of anxiety and embarrassment to both men and women around the world and they occur because of two main reasons; pregnancy and weight gain. In both situations, the skin is stretched causing the skin to tear. When the skin heals it leaves tiny scars and it is these tears that are commonly known as stretch marks.

Can these stretch marks go away? Yes they can and it doesn't have to be a huge ordeal. As a matter of fact, there are several ways to get rid of your stretch marks for good! Let's look at three common methods.

Home remedies.

Many have used home remedies to get rid the stretch marks from their skin. Though they have been proven effective, they take a long time to get satisfying results. Not to mention, they don't always get rid of the deepest and ugliest marks.

Laser surgery.

You will find this method effective for both deep and surface stretch marks. However, this service is not for everyone as it is extremely costly-running in the thousands, not to mention, you will have trouble finding an insurance company that will cover such a procedure since it is considered to be cosmetic.

Stretch mark removal creams.

Stretch mark removal and prevention creams are extremely effective at getting rid of stretch marks. The best stretch mark creams contain powerful natural ingredients that can make these unpleasant marks disappear. Ingredients such as Squalene Oil, Vitamin A, Vitamin D, DL Penthenol, Aloe Vera and Grape Seed Oil, all working in harmony to reduce existing stretch marks and prevent to scars from ever appearing. These creams are very effective at wiping out even the deepest of stretch marks and will leave your skin as beautiful as it once was.

In our opinion, a stretch mark cream offers a real alternative to expensive laser surgery and the best solution for removing existing stretch marks and preventing future stretch marks from ever appearing.

However, not all stretch mark creams are equal. The very best creams are so confident that their creams will help you remove your stretch marks, they offer a 100% satisfaction refund guarantee.

Can stretch Marks Go Away? Yes, with the right stretch mark cream they can.

Don't let let your stretch marks be a cause of pain and embarrassment. You are only one click away from discovering which stretch mark creams really work at removing your stretch marks.

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