The best way to get rid of stretch marks is to never get them in the first place. Unfortunately, they are not only genetic, but an estimated 90% of women will get them when pregnant. While most treatments are partially effective, nothing is guaranteed.
Just like you we would not trade the birth of our children for anything, but would also give anything to get rid of those stretch marks. I struggled both mentally and physically with the concept of stretch marks. After trying dozens of remedies, operations, and miracle diets I am excited to share with you what worked, and what I learned.
What are Stretch Marks
Stretch marks, also referred to as striae, are pale wriggly type bands that stretch across the abdomen, usually during the last phase of pregnancy. Both men and women are susceptible to stretch marks. The main areas for stretch marks are the thighs, hips, breasts, arms, butt, back, and lower abdominal area.
The marks can typically occur rapidly after weight gain, or weight loss. Your skin stretches as your weight fluctuates, sometimes resulting in stretch marks. As mentioned above, an estimated 90% of women get stretch marks during pregnancy. This also happens during puberty, muscle gain from body building, losing weight, and of course pregnancy.
How Stretch Marks Form
Although they are called stretch marks, the “scarring” that forms during and after pregnancy. The result of an increased level of glucocorticoids (hormones released from the adrenal glands).
When the hormones are released, they bar the fibroblasts in the dermis from producing the collagen and elastin needed to keep the skin supple and smooth. As a result, the skin below the surface, or epidermis, ruptures and produces the dreaded marks.
Preventing Stretch Marks
A healthy lifestyle is the best way to prevent stretch marks from happening. Eating foods high in vitamins and nutrients can help your skin keep its elasticity. Exercise keeps your blood flowing with circulation going to all parts of your body. Most important is to make sure that your skin is moisturized, and you are not washing with abrasive soaps or chemicals.
During pregnancy it’s so important to follow these steps to reducing stretch marks. Ever heard of dry brushing your skin? Just one of those important steps to follow.
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Treating Newer Marks
Once you notice you notice stretch marks forming, it is time to go from prevention to treating. The most prescribed treatments by doctors are to be used after pregnancy are Retin-A or the combination of glycolic acid and ascorbic acid.
If you are pregnant or want a natural solution we highly suggest the Superwomen Turmeric Stretch Mark Removal Cream. They should be able to reduce the appearance and fade the stretch marks over time. Coconut oil, castor oil, lemon, and vitamin A,C,E need to be your best friends. At the same time control the humidity of your room to make sure your skin does not become dry and lose its elasticity.
What Works on Older Stretch Marks
If you already have stretch marks, microdermabrasion in combination with laser therapy often works on older striae. The microdermabrasion exfoliates the epidermis, removing the initial layer of dead skin cells. Usually, six treatments are needed to fade out the marks. This procedure is considered safe on darker skin tones.
Laser therapy has the top satisfaction rating for the stretch mark removal treatments. The laser beam goes deep to remove the layers of the skin around the stretch mark. It really does change this at the molecular level.
Other treatments are light therapy, tummy tucks (cutting it out), plasma injection, or chemical peels. There are numerous ways to remove older stretch marks, which we outlined in the top stretch mark removal guide.
One Permanent Solution
If you want to opt for a permanent solution for removing stretch marks, then you can always have them removed by tummy tuck surgery. Not everyone is an ideal candidate for this. An ideal person for this tummy tuck must have excessive skin in the stomach are and be in good health. If you are done having children, this procedure can be effective. There is less chance that the skin will again be re-stretched.
It will not work on your other parts of the body (arms, legs, thighs, breasts, backs, etc.) but is more suited for stretch marks caused from child birth.
How to get rid of stretch marks on darker skin
Summary
Stretch marks can appear when you rapidly gain, lose weight, and commonly occurs during pregnancy. You may not be able to completely remove stretch marks, but can help reduce the appearance of stretch marks.
Is laser therapy considered safe on darker skin too?
It never used to be, but within the last couple years there have been technology advances, so some laser treatments will work on darker skin. Those are Diode Laser, Gentlemax Pro with YAG technology. I actually wrote a whole post about laser hair removal for dark skin here.
How do I naturally fade/darken my stretch marks permanently to blend it with my skin?
The goal would be to naturally fade your stretch marks so that they aren’t as obvious. Naturally requires consistency, but its doable. I use a combination of this turmeric stretch mark cream, coffee sugar scrub, and moisturize with coconut and castor oil. Mine were not severe, but noticeable enough, and now you can only tell in certain light. I also take biosil, which is a natural collagen generator.