Stretch marks are lines in the skin caused by its loosening when it’s stretched over time. When the middle layer of skin stretches too quickly, some of its collagen fibers can break. This enables the underlying blood vessels to show through, leaving behind the telltale red or purple marks on your skin. How to get rid of stretch marks?

Over time the bruises will fade to a white or silver color as blood vessels heal. The marks usually go away fully within a week. Stretch marks, while not painful, can have a big impact on self-esteem. They can be especially uncomfortable in extreme cases.

There’s been a lot of interest in finding an effective way to remove stretch marks for years. Unfortunately, so far no treatment has shown any signs of success in removing them for good. But new ways are emerging and some have shown promising results.

 

What Causes Stretch Marks

Stretch marks are small lines left on your skin after the skin has been stretched. This usually happens when your body goes through sudden periods of rapid growth (like during weight gain, pregnancy or puberty). When our skin starts to return to its natural state (i.e., when it stops growing), it may start to wrinkle and age naturally due to a lack of structural support from collagen.

 

Stretch Mark Treatment 

1. Laser or Light Therapy

How to get rid of stretch marks? Laser therapy is one of the newest treatments for stretch marks that seems to be fairly effective in reducing their appearance.

Pulsed light treatments can reduce the appearance and redness of stretch marks. They also encourage collagen production and skin elasticity. A plastic, cosmetic, or skin surgeon will perform these procedures.

Laser or light therapy can have huge benefits for relief of appearance. Be sure to use a fully trained and licensed healthcare practitioner. Up to 20 appointments may be needed before stretch marks show a 20-60% improvement. Costs can rise quickly.

 

2. Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) with Ultrasound

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy has been growing in popularity among both doctors and patients as a way to help skin and increase collagen production. This therapy draws on the person’s own blood just before the procedure to extract platelet-rich plasma which can then be used for PRP therapy.

3. Plastic Surgery

A tummy tuck, thigh lift and some similar surgeries work by removing excess skin, tightening tissues and skin left.

Studies show that people who have lost weight or those who are currently pregnant often need procedures to address sagging skin.

The ideal candidate for this surgery:

• has a stable weight and good health
• does not smoke
• should have realistic expectations about the possible outcome of surgery

These procedures are not specifically designed to remove stretch marks. However, many people end up losing their stretch marks after they lose the extra skin on their body.

It is important to discuss with your surgeon whether or not this type of plastic surgery is suitable for you. The benefits of this procedure may be outweighed by certain risks and considerations.

 

Other Home Remedies

1. Use Proper Sun Protection

Sunscreen alone can’t prevent stretch marks all the time, but it does provide a lot of other benefits skin-wise.

Leaving the house during the summer without using sunscreen may make your existing scars and marks more noticeable, while also significantly increasing your risk of developing skin cancer.

Sun exposure makes it easier to break down collagen which is vital for skin elasticity. This makes someone more prone to stretch marks.

 

2. Keep Skin Hydrated

A moisturizer, when applied after bathing while skin is still damp, can help prevent flaking and dryness. Pregnancy can make you feel like you’ve got a lot of extra skin and using moisturizers can help.

3. Follow a Healthy Lifestyle

Stretch marks are one of the side effects of the natural growth and changes that your skin may go through during pregnancy. It is not possible to prevent stretch marks entirely, but adopting a healthy lifestyle can lower their likelihood.

Drinking plenty of water, eating a variety of nutritious foods, and getting regular exercise can help keep your weight stable and promote good health in general.

 

4. Avoid Sudden Weight Gain or Loss 

We always advise that mothers-to-be avoid rapid weight changes and focus on healthy, gradual weight gain instead. This is particularly true as the new pregnancy progresses.

If you had a healthy weight before getting pregnant, you should put on 25-35 pounds of total weight before the baby is born.

How to get rid of stretch marks? If you are struggling with stretch marks that are severe or having a negative impact on your mental well-being, there are treatments available. Visit a doctor who specializes in fixing stretch marks and can get advice on how to reduce their appearance.

Read also: Pregnancy skin care, Best food for skin repair

 

References

Stretch mark removal: Treatments and home remedies (2022). Retrieved from https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/312975 

Wait, Can You *Actually* Get Rid of Stretch Marks? Here’s the Honest Truth (2022). Retrieved from https://www.cosmopolitan.com/style-beauty/beauty/g19855100/stretch-marks-removal-treatments/