What treatments are available to remove stretch marks?

What are the treatment options?

There are tons of creams, products and treatments that all claim to remove stretch marks completely, but the sad reality is very few of them actually work. This can be disheartening news if you are embarrassed by those distinctive lines on your body and you desperately want a magic solution to remove them.

On a more positive note, there are several treatment options available that have been clinically proven to significantly improve the appearance of stretch marks.

The only surgery option available to actually remove stretch marks entirely is a procedure called abdominoplasty, which is a tummy tuck. This procedure is primarily done to remove excess fat and skin and contour the stomach wall. If there are stretch marks located below the belly button they are usually removed in this operation.

Laser surgery is a relatively new treatment option but one that is becoming increasingly popular for treating stretch marks. It won’t remove your stretch marks completely but it can have significant success with improving their appearance. Lasers can only detect stretch marks that are a red, purple or brown, but new laser technology is currently being developed that can treat mature stretch marks that have turned silvery-white.

The pulse of the laser during treatment feels a little bit like a slight sting or being pinched. Usually a series of between five to six treatments is required for optimum results, but this can depend on a number of different factors that relate to your skin type and color. The appearance of the stretch marks can also continue to improve for at least six months after the last treatment. Side effects are usually rare, but slight blistering or bruising may occur. At this stage laser surgery is still one of the more expensive treatment options.

If you are looking for a stretch mark treatment that is cheaper than surgery, stretch mark cream or lotion could be an option. The research surrounding stretch mark creams is quite contradictory, many in them medical profession uphold they don’t work, whereas some clinical trials have shown success in improving the appearance of stretch marks.

Prescription creams that contain Tretinoin or Retin A are derived from Vitamin A, but they tend to have more success than the naturally occurring Vitamin. However, women should avoid using these creams with these ingredients during pregnancy and while breastfeeding.

If you are looking for a completely natural option, many women have had significant success with vitamin E and cocoa butter cream, even though there has been no scientific research into its effectiveness. There has also been the suggestion that the process of massaging any cream into stretch marks can be beneficial as it can help to stimulate regeneration in the tissue of the affected area.

© The Pink Fridge Online Magazine 2008 - Remove Stretch Marks

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