If you’re tired of having stretch marks, you’re not alone! Many people, women especially, experience stretch marks in their lifetimes. Stretch marks can occur during sudden changes in body size, such as during pregnancy, puberty, or rapid weight gain or loss.
But ladies, let’s not get too stressed about stress marks. There’s a quote that I love for this. “Your body is not ruined, you are a fearsome tigress who has earned her stripes.”
The 2 types of stretch marks that you see are red stretch marks or white stretch marks. Red stretch marks as stretch marks that are actively happening. White stretch marks are not actively forming.
It can be very difficult to fully remove stretch marks, the first steps might be to lighten them so they are not so vivid. With creams and at home remedies it’s important to keep in mind that results take consistency. Think, as little as a month or ongoing treatments of up to 6 months or more.
1. Microdermabrasion Stretch Mark Removal
Microdermabrasion is a simple procedure that removes dead skin cells from the top layer of the skin to aid in stretch mark removal. The problem with microdermabrasion treatments is that stretch marks are caused in the second layer deep in the skin. Whereas microdermabrasion works on the top layer. Microdermabrasion is painful. Essentially the treatment is blasting or sanding down your stretch marks with a curstline powder. It is like using sandpaper on your skin, but not quite as painful, and helps fade away for stretch mark removal. It works best for old stretch mark scars and is also safe for stretch marks on dark skin tones. One treatment may be enough, but generally you need about 6 treatments to reduce the appearance of the stretch mark and help refresh the glow of your skin. Microdermabrasion is best paired with laser treatments as laser gets to the lower layer, and microdermabrasion works on the top.
2. Laser Treatment for Stretch Mark Removal
Laser stretch mark removal treatments can lighten up stretch marks scars and drastically remove the appearance. In fact, it has the highest percentage rate of satisfaction of all stretch mark removal treatments. The laser beam goes deep to remove think layers of skin around the stretch marks to deliver the best results. This high energy laser beam reaches the skin tissues at their molecular level.
The 2 forms of laser stretch mark removal are pulsed dye and fractional laser treatments. Pulse dye laser work best for elasticity treatments that increases collagen production. Fractional focuses on smaller areas and smoothing over the skin. Both laser treatments are safe, but like most treatments do have side affects associated with it.
Make sure to consult a doctor and choose a well-respected company, especially for people with darker skin color. Because of the skin pigmentation, you must be careful with the laser technology use to avoid burning of your skin as I explain in laser hair removal treatments for dark skin.
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Topical creams, or a stretch mark balm, work best for newer versus older stretch marks, and can help reduce and fade stretch marks over time. They reduce the inflammation of the skin and increase the elasticity. Here’s my favorite 8 topical creams.
These chemical treatments are advised not to use while pregnant, but we do have a section on ways to reduce stretch marks while pregnant. If topical creams are not effective at making your stretch marks go away, we would suggest laser for a more effective choice.
Most dermatologists who recommend topical creams will tell you about retinoic acid cream or a combination of glycolic acid and ascorbic acid. Retinoic must be prescribed by a doctor, and is high in vitamin A and show to rebuild collagen to even out the appearance on your skin. The combination of Glycolic and Ascorbic Acid help with the of the skin and reduce the appearance of stretch marks. They are available over the counter and may needed to be purchased separately but used together for optimal results.
Some natural stretch mark removal treatments include creams, diet, and exercise. There are many different home-based remedies you can try like Shea Butter, coconut oil, castor oil, vitamin E, potatoes, lemon juice, turmeric, and many more. My favorite is a DIY stretch mark cream that combines a couple of those ingredients.
These natural stretch mark creams work best for newer stretch marks, moisturize and increasing the elasticity of your skin. They help protect your skin from damage, reduce inflammation, and can act as an antioxidant. It is not as immediately effective as the other methods listed above (or topical treatments above) but do not have any bad chemicals. I’m a big believer of doing your best to avoid using chemicals topically if you can. Plus, these natural stretch marks can be used while pregnant whereas other treatments cannot.
5. Surgical Stretch Mark Removal
Once you have finished having children, a tummy tuck is an alternative less of a chance of the skin being re-stretched. For people considering a tummy tuck, for surgical stretch mark removal, it will not work on the back, legs, or breasts but only stomach.
The tummy tuck essentially works by cutting out the stretch marks, removing the excess skin in the lower stomach region. This is a major surgical treatment, so other methods should be used first. Ideal candidates must have excessive skin in the stomach area and be in good health and of course speak with your personal doctor first.
6. Chemical Peels
Chemical peels are commonly used for wrinkles and age spots on facial applications, but can also be used for removing stretch marks. They work like the concept of microdermabrasion’s, peeling off the top layers of damaged skin.
By peeling of the top layer of skin it creates new skin and improving the appearance of the skin and new skin cell creation. Chemical peels are best used in a combination with other treatments, and should contain richrloratetic acid for greatest results. They will not remove stretch marks completely but will help reduce the appearance of the stretch marks.
7. Light Therapy for Stretch Mark Removal
Red Light Therapy have commonly been used for acne, but also shown to fade the appearance of stretch marks. It helps even out the pigmentation of your skin and over 15- 20 sessions can reduce them by up to 60%. Blue light therapy kills the bacteria deep within the skin, while red light therapy produces more collagen. By using different variations of wavelengths and colours, lighter therapy triggers a healing response in the skin.
8. Plasma Injection
Plasma injection procedures start at around $1000 USD, and can be quite painful, but effective. In fact, one session is normally enough to make a substantial difference. Essentially your doctors use you own blood to treat you by injecting it into your stretch mark. The plasma in your blood increases skin growth and collagen the reduces and removes much of your stretch marks.
9. Lifestyle Changes
This is the best form of stretch mark removal is never getting them in the first place. Stretch marks are mainly caused from weight gain and growth in some form. It’s almost unavoidable with pregnancy and every woman will most likely experience stretch marks in her lifetime.
Healthy lifestyle is your best form of for prevention or reduction of stretch marks. Stay hydrated and drink lots of water, moisture your skin and avoid chemicals, eat a healthy diet high in vitamins and nutrients, exercise daily, and avoid the sun and chemicals.
For a focus on stretch mark removal, vitamin A, C and E are wonderful for your diet. I have even seen recommendations where women take prenatal vitamins.
Exercise increases blood circulation and maintains skin elasticity, so make sure to eat a healthy diet and exercise, to help reduce and remove the potential of any stretch marks.
What’s your experience with stretch marks and what worked for you?
Best Stretch Mark Removal Treatments
Summary
Want to get rid of new or old scars from stretch marks? Learn about Laser, Creams, Surgical, Microdermabrasion, and more Stretch Mark Removal treatments.
