Ugly Stretch Marks, Help!

Is there anything more unflattering than stretch marks?  Worse, just about every one has a stretch mark or a few somewhere on the body, and goes to considerable lengths to cover the unsightly marks.  This post will confront squarely the issue of stretch marks, what they are, and how to get rid of them.

Stretch marks (striae) are scars that develop when skin undergoes continual or rapid changes usually related to hormonal flux.  For instance, puberty is typically a time when hormones are in flux and bodies are experiencing growth spurts.  During the time of puberty, it is common to discover a stretch mark or two on the thighs, hips, breast, and buttocks. Another time many women develop abdominal stretch marks is during pregnancy when the skin is stretching to accommodate the little one growing inside.  In addition to growth spurts and pregnancy-related changes, stretch marks can appear because of a medical condition such as Cushing’s disease.  No one is immune to stretch marks, and the ugly scars occur regardless of race, age, and sex; however, they do tend to occur more frequently in women.

Since, it is known why stretch marks appear, are they reversible? Fortunately, there is treatment options with most focused on topical creams.  Before starting any treatment, it is important to consult your health care provider because although stretch marks are common, there exist the possibility of stretch marks occurring because of a medical diagnosis such as Cushing’s disease.  Best stretch mark creams can range from products with natural ingredients to those, which contain more powerful retinoid products. In addition to topical creams, dermatologists have seen improvement of stretch marks with laser treatments. 

When considering to seek treatments for your stretch marks, it is important to do research to discover what methods are available and as always, before starting any treatment regimen contact your health care provider to determine if your chosen method of treatment is right for your.

We know one good thing about stretch marks, they appear to fade and become less visible with time.