The Skin is the biggest organ of the human body with remarkable quality to Stretch and contract itself. Despite the fact that it is strong and elastic, overstretching it or stretching it too fast can tear the supporting tissues, resulting in Stretch Marks. Data indicates that around 90% of women contract stretch marks during pregnancy. But it’s important to note that stretch marks can appear on people of all skin types and ages. They frequently occur due to body changes and periods of growth like puberty, significant weight gain, and extreme muscle building. 

Getting stretch marks on your body doesn’t necessarily suggest that there’s something wrong with you. They are harmless skin imperfections and a totally normal occurrence. Some individuals aren’t bothered with their stretch marks and opt to accept them, while others may be self-conscious of their appearance, and work toward eliminating them. The good news is that there are numerous effective treatment techniques you can employ to get rid of stretch marks on your body. 

What Are Stretch Marks?

Also referred to as striae, stretch marks are purple or red bands or lines that appear on the surface of the skin when the connective tissue beneath stretches past its elastic limit. When the skin stretches too fast or overstretches, the collagen fibres located in the middle layer can rupture, and make the underlying blood vessels to be noticeable. These are the telltale purplish or red marks. As time lapses, the blood vessels will repair but the superimposing rupture will stay. When this occurs, the stretch marks will fade into a silver or white appearance. 

Stretch marks aren’t painful, but may affect one’s self-esteem and confidence. They tend to most frequently materialize on the hips, breasts, and stomach (they can manifest on other body parts). Stretch marks can essentially manifest anywhere the skin has been outstretched. 

They often elicit parts where fat is stored like:

Buttocks.

Thighs.

Breasts.

Upper arms.

Abdomen.

Shoulders (in bodybuilders).

Although stretch marks won’t entirely vanish, you can mitigate their distinct appearance using some home remedies and expert treatments to help them fade faster. Continue reading to learn more. 

Stretch Marks Removal Cream

While in most circumstances, stretch marks may disappear on their own when given time; some may prevail and will need stretch mark removal treatment. There are over-the –counter alternatives available that can shrink or lighten the form of stretch marks. 

Products such as stretch mark removal creams, ointments, salves, gels, oils, etc., are said to be effective in minimising the development of stretch marks. The constituents of some of these products may include Collagen boosters, Tretinoin, Bitter almond, Centella Asiatica, or moisturisers such as cocoa butter, shea butter, glycolic acid, vitamin E, or olive oil, etc., that can lessen the marks.

Stretch Marks Home Remedies

You can also use home remedies to treat your stretch marks. They have proven effective in minimising their appearance, as they assist restore skin tissue. You can apply: 

Almond oil

Castor oil

Aloe vera gel

Mixture of lemon & cucumber juice

Coconut oil

Apricot paste mask

Stretch Marks Treatment

Besides the aforementioned over-the-counter home remedies and products, there are other specialised procedures or treatments administered by plastic surgeons and skin doctors that can greatly lessen the manifestation of stretch marks on your body. Some of the possible treatments include: 

Microdermabrasion

Microdermabrasion is a pain-free procedure that entails exfoliating the skin surface in a manner that home remedies cannot. A professional will use a handheld tool applied with abrasive substances like aluminium particles, tiny salt crystals, or baking soda to shed dead skin cells from your skin. These crystals peel the outer layer of the skin to promote skin rejuvenation. The restored skin has greater elasticity and diminishes the severity of stretch marks.

Micro-needling

This procedure will require you to use a handheld tool that produces tiny pricks in the skin. Micro-needling focuses on the skin’s middle layer where the stretch marks are actually shaped. By jabbing small needles in the skin, elastin and collagen are produced, which assist in skin restoration and make loose skin look tighter. 

In contrast to other home remedies, in-office microneedling focuses on the inner part of your skin and targets the healing functionality of the skin safely and more effectively. Microneedling is a minimally intrusive method to treat stretch marks and will affect your skin tone. It is even more effective when used along with peptides for maximum healing. 

Laser Therapy

Removing stretch marks using laser therapy is a recent treatment that has proven to help with collagen production and lessen the development of stretch marks. The laser stretch mark removal process can be performed either by Fractional CO2 laser therapy or Pulsed dye laser therapy. Although pulsed dye laser therapy has shown to be responsive for new, reddish marks, fractional CO2 laser therapy works best for old, white marks. Make sure to consult with your provider to determine which procedure is suitable for you. Note that several sessions may be required before you begin seeing the effects on your skin. 

Radiofrequency

This is yet another commonly used, minimally-intrusive and safe treatment to get rid of stretch marks. It works by eliciting new collagen production in the affected area and assists to lessen the appearance of stretch marks particularly when used to treat new, red marks. It is mixed with PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma) during the procedure since this PRP also functions by triggering the production of new collagen. 

For the best results, make sure to consult with your physician to determine the right treatment for you. Book your stretch mark treatment appointment with a reputable skin doctor in your area today!