Learn about the Best Stretch Mark Creams
Is there a perfect stretch mark remover that will work for all individuals with stretch marks? Not really. However, there are a multitude of stretch mark removers that are used with varying levels of effectiveness. Some of these tend to lean toward the natural approach while others involve a more radical approach, such as laser surgery. As you can see, removing stretch marks can be an involved and time-consuming endeavor with the investment ranging from around $30 for over-the-counter stretch mark removal products to thousands of dollars for plastic surgery or laser treatments.
Which cure works best for you will be dependent upon the age of your stretch marks, your type of skin, and budgetary constraints. Here is a summary of the more popular ways to eliminate stretch marks:
Don’t Forget To Hydrate Yourself
Drink just as much or more water as you drink coffee, tea, or soda. Stretch marks can also result from nutritional deficiency. Drink lots of water (at least 2 litres every day) – not soda or juices – because it helps your skin stay elastic. If you drink a lot of coffee or black/green tea, drink 3l of water a day.
Take Skin Supportive Supplements
Vitamin E is a very important vitamin to take during pregnancy to eliminate stretch marks. Also, a cream or lotion containing Vitamin D will assist in the prevention of stretch marks. However, because Vitamin E by itself will not work due to the large size of their molecule; the addition of lanolin, which has smaller molecules, can be used to deliver the ingredients past the top layer of skin and help with skin elasticity. If you have existing stretch marks, Vitamin E is believed to improve them by fading their appearance.
Stretch Mark Removers
The fact is that stretch mark creams and lotions will not remove your stretch marks completely, but can generally fade your stretch marks appearance to where the damaged skin blends with the surrounding normal skin. There are many stretch mark cremes and oils that have been specifically designed to keep your skin taut and firm throughout pregnancy and actually help prevent stretch marks from beginning. The creams and lotions that enter the skin deeply will provide longer-lasting moisture that is essential to healthy skin. These creams are best used as night creams.
Surgical Options
Surgical procedures are generally the most expensive of the stretch mark remover methods, though repeated laser treatments can result in similar prices. The results suggest that surgical methods are believed to be the most effective and conventional method in removing stretch marks. This procedure generally involves the removal of areas of skin where the stretch marks have developed. The second type of surgical treatment that can help remove stretch marks is laser scar removal. This method is essentially non-invasive and doesn’t leave skin damage such as scars or incisions.
Laser treatment of stretch marks and scars are claimed to stimulate collagen production below the skin as the dermal skin layer absorbs the laser light, filling out the skin and helping to return pigment to the scarred area. However, there is still disagreement within the health care industry regarding using lasers to treat scars and stretch marks and many physicians and plastic surgeons believe that lasers cannot treat stretch marks.
In conclusion, the stretch mark removal alternatives listed above are all proven to work to different degrees, depending on the person’s skin type, age of the stretch marks, and available funding. The least costly of the stretch mark removal techniques are the creams and lotions, which fade existing stretch marks and give them the opportunity to blend in with the surrounding skin. This technique is one of the most pain-free treatments and should be considered first — you may just be very pleased with the results while saving your hard-earned dollars!
