Pregnancy, growth spurt, weight and muscle gains are some of the main reasons why people develop stretch marks. Muscles extend and grow after an extreme work out, causing stretch marks to appear. Stretch marks form when the middle layer of the skin, also known as the dermis, stretches drastically, causing the connective tissue in the skin to break. When the tissue breaks, it causes collagen disruption that leads to scarring. Stretch marks can be very unsightly, appearing as numerous vertical lines, ranging from red to silvery-white in colors. They are more prominent on the upper arms, back of the legs, thighs, chest, waist, hips and abdomen. However, there are solutions to minimizing their appearance. Follow these steps.
Step 1
Apply stretch mark lotion or cream over the affected areas at least twice a day. The lotion or cream should include a mixture of cocoa butter, Vitamin E, collagen, elastin and shea butter to be effective. These ingredients help lubricate the skin in order for it to retain its natural elasticity and moisture. It also helps relieve dryness associated with stretched skin.
Step 2
Use chemical peels, similar to those used in removing age spots and wrinkles. Apply the solution over the stretch marks using sponge, cotton swabs, cotton pads or brush. Wait for the solution to dry, then wash it off completely, removing the excess with oil or body lotion. You would feel some tingling sensations coming from the solution depending on the concentration of the solution used. The solution removes the dead skin, allowing the skin to regenerate. This procedure does not remove the stretch marks completely–it simply fades them away.
Step 3
Have a dermatologist perform microdermabrasion. This method uses fine crystals to blast the outermost layers of the skin, which results in the removal of dead skin. Healthy skin cells regenerate, replacing the dead skin. Microdermabrasion is a painless procedure and takes only one hour per session. To achieve good results, you must undergo anywhere from five to 12 sessions. Microdermabrasion does not permanently remove the stretch marks, but helps make them less prominent.
Step 4
Get a blue light therapy, which is a process that makes use of a photosensitive gel applied over the stretch marks, and then exposed to some bursts of light energy. This process will not completely remove the stretch marks, but will help make them less noticeable.
Step 5
Consult with a dermatologist about undergoing laser stretch mark removal procedure. An example of such procedure is by using excimer laser, which is the same laser used for eye laser procedure known as Lasik. It uses high-energy UV (ultra-violet) laser light to disintegrate the tissue, removing the stretch marks. Upon completion, the healing process follows with the appearance of new healthy skin.
Warnings
- Read the warning labels on chemicals before using them. Stop if you develop any type of rash or allergies. Consult your doctor for advice.
