Life
If you have ever had a growth spurt, hormone surge, or been pregnant, it's likely you have come face to face with a stretch mark or two. That's just what happens when your skin grows at a rapid rate. And for years people have been using different methods to prevent and diminish these pesky lines. Search the aisles of any drug store and you'll find plenty of ways to get rid of stretch marks, but do any of these store-bough remedies really work? The answer is both yes and no.
Stretch marks are one of those stubborn conditions that just don't want to completely surrender, but that doesn't mean they can't be combated. According to Mayo Clinic, there are treatments to reduce and fade stretch marks, but nothing has been proven to completely remove them. It also seems that the sooner a stretch mark is treated, the better chance it has to be less noticeable. Meaning that the longer the stretch mark has been around, the more difficult it is to reduce its appearance.
When it comes to stretch mark treatment, you may be surprised that many of the methods used are the same ones that have been proven to treat various skin conditions on the face. In fact, you may have a few of the suggested remedies already in your beauty bag. If you have been searching for an effective way to deal with stretch marks, consider these five hacks will help you get rid of stretch marks or, at the very least, reduce their appearance.
1Use A Tretinoin Cream
Commonly known as retinol, tretinoin is a topical cream that has been proven to put a serious smack down on stretch marks. The US National Library Of Medicine published a study that proved using tretinoin cream on stretch marks reduced their appearance. It is important to note, however, that this study was done on stretch marks in their early and active phase. So if you catch them early enough, you can diminish stretch marks in just a few months.
2Apply A Cream High In Vitamin C
Dr. Oz suggested slathering on a product high in vitamin C, two times a day to reduce and heal stretch marks. By using a cream or serum with vitamin C, which has been shown to boost collagen production, it will encourage the stretched skin to repair itself.
3Try A Microdermabrasion Treatment
Microdermabrasion is most commonly thought of as a treatment to smooth the skin on your face, but the process can be used to polish skin on any part of the body. The Mayo Clinic notes that microdermabrasion is a good option for older stretch marks, because the process blasts off old skin cells and promotes the growth of new cells. Those new cells are full of the elasticity, making the stretched out skin tighter. This is a great option for someone who has struggled with stubborn stretch marks. (And while you're at the spa, go ahead a book a massage as well — you deserve it!)
4Do A Laser Therapy Session
When Kim Kardashian decided to let cameras film her having laser therapy for stretch marks on her breast, word started to spread about the effectiveness of this treatment. As Skin Inc reported, stretch marks treated with lasers can have dramatic results in just one visit, although some cases may require up to three office visits. Like many other treatments, results vary depending on how new or old the strecth mark is. Another plus to this technology is that after the procedure, there is no downtime.
5Opt For Vitamin E Over Cocoa Butter
The standard go-to for stretch marks for years has been cocoa butter, but an article in The New York Times stacked the research for cocoa butter against vitamin E. As it turns out, the women who used a cream containing vitamin E while pregnant ended up with fewer stretch marks than the women who used a placebo. The same could not be said for those who used cocoa butter. So make the switch and save your body from those unflattering marks.
Images: pololia/Fotolia; Hector Esteban Menendez, Frank Lindecke, dMap Travel Guide, daniel lobo, John Liu/Flickr
