The Best Products and Treatments to Get Rid of Stretch Marks

by Ana Dupas

When you spot those nasty stretch marks on your body, your self confidence and self image can take a big hit. It's a subject that is seldom talked about by those who have them. Yet when they do appear, it's best to learn as much as possible about the reasons for their development and also how to get rid of stretch marks.

Why You Get Stretch Marks

When your skin is stretched beyond its limits, such as during pregnancy or periods of excessive weight gain or loss, it loses its elasticity and becomes damaged. The middle layer of your skin, or dermis, is where the damage takes place. But the damage appears on the topmost layer of your skin, which makes the stretch marks highly visible.

Studies have shown that the processes involved in the formation of stretch marks will also lead to the expansion of your capillaries. This leads to stretch marks that are frequently purple or red. At the beginning, they are often purple. Over time they fade and can often become white.

One of the easiest and most effective ways to get rid of stretch marks is to use a specially formulated stretch mark cream. The ingredients of these creams include moisturizers such as lanolin, cocoa butter and Vitamin E, or beneficial oils such as lavender and olive oil. More advanced formulations of stretch mark creams list AHA or Vitamin A among their ingredients.

These products work to improve your skin's flexibility as well as regenerating skin cells. Most of these products are considered to be quite effective at lessening the scars, particularly creams containing cocoa butter.

One other easy to use product for getting rid of stretch marks is vitamin E oil, particularly when it comes to stretch marks caused by pregnancy. Vitamin E oil is a great product for maintaining your skin's firm, taut appearance, even while pregnant.

If you're looking for the best stretch mark removal cream, you have several choices, some of which are available over the counter at various locations. Many highly effective stretch mark creams can also be purchased online.

Other methods of treating stretch marks include laser treatments, dermabrasion or even surgery to banish those unappealing scars. You might think that undergoing a surgical procedure to get rid of stretch marks is somewhat drastic, but the truth of the matter is that it's still one of the most effective means of managing the problem.

About the Author:

Stretch marks can impact anyone, male or female, through weight gain, pregnancy and bodybuilding. Learn more about the options for treating this condition at Get Rid of Stretch Marks: Tips to Prevent and Treat Stretch Marks.