Getting Rid of Stretch Marks

Stretch marks are often unsightly if they appear in areas that are not covered with clothing or makeup. Caused by a break in the under layer of the skin (the dermis) when the elasin fibers tear, they can appear to be very wide or very narrow strips in the skin. They can appear on any part of the body and are usually referred to by the medical profession as scars. They are sometimes bunched together and can be of great embarrassment to the person who has them. These marks can be caused by anything that stretches the skin such as pregnancy, overweight, losing weight too fast, losing muscle, fast growth, and any number of other things. Some people inherit a condition that increases the risk of developing this problem.

Getting rid of stretch marks (scars) is not an easy task. Some people who develop these marks are fortunate that they gradually turn white and, over time, disappear or become unnoticeable. The people who are not so fortunate often are distressed to have a part of the body where the scars appear difficult to cover up with clothing. Over the years many different things have been tried to make them disappear, but few have really worked. A review of articles appearing on the internet shows many suggestions for getting rid of stretch marks. Commercial and home remedies are suggested some claiming complete eradication and others alleging that partial elimination is possible. It is always a good idea to read these reviews and carefully decide if it is something one wants to try. Nothing should be tried that might make the problem worse.

Laser and surgical procedures have been found to be of help in many cases. A surgical procedure called a ‘tummy tuck’ is one that is most familiar to people where the excess skin is actually cut off then the remaining skin is reattached. Plastic surgery is always an option for any skin problem, but one should remember that it is major surgery and should be considered carefully before a commitment is made. In a plastic surgery procedure, such as a tummy tuck, it's important to remember that if one has a large number of stretch marks there might not be enough extra skin to make the correction. People with an inherited medical condition that increases the appearance of stretch marks are usually not good candidates for medical procedures.

On newer stretch marks many cosmetic dermatologists use such methods as chemical peels, microdermabrasion, and blue light therapy. These may be partially successful but most regular medical doctors, dermatologists, and specialists will state that stretch marks are almost always too deep to eradicate completely. Medical and dermatologist procedures are the most expensive means of eradication and it's important to remember that results will vary.

Among suggestions for getting rid of stretch marks that can be done every day to help with the problem is drinking lots of water which will moisturize the skin and tissues making more pliable as well as to restore some of the elasticity. A good diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables is always good for the body. It is also suggested that the stretch mark areas be exfoliated (using a body scrub) and some type of oil applied every day to help in reducing the marks. When stretch marks are hereditary they, like any other generic problem, are not easily disposed of. There is no magic potion that can be consumed to make them go away, but taking care of oneself is always a good preventative measure.

All information in this article is for educational purposes only. An experienced medical person should be consulted for advice on how best to reduce and eradicate stretch marks.

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