How to get rid of stretch marks

Just about everybody in the world has at least one stretch mark, and most people have several. For many people, they are just part of time. However, they can be unsightly and make you feel self-conscious, particularly when they first appear.

How stretch marks form

There are three layers to the skin:

The epidermis is the outer layer, the bit that you can usually see.

The dermis is the middle layer, that gives skin its suppleness and texture.

The bottom layer is the subcutis, which connects your skin to muscle and other tissue.

Stretch marks occur when skin has to grow rapidly. The epidermis and dermis become stretched, allowing the deeper layers to show through.

Nearly everyone is affected by stretch marks, but they tend to be more prevalent in women than men. Stretch marks appear when:

You become pregnant and your belly and boobs get bigger

You put on weight

You go through a growth spurt

You are on medicine that causes your body shape to alter – this is experienced by people on hormone treatment, including transsexuals

In very rare cases, stretch marks can be a sign of an underlying condition. However, in the vast majority of cases they are harmless – but see your doctor if you are worried.

The vast majority of stretch marks appear on your stomach, breasts, thighs and bottom. However, you may also get them on your upper arms and shoulders, the back of your knees, and your lower back – although they are not unknown in other places, too.

Stretch marks initially appear as red or purple marks, but fade to silver over time – just like a scar.

Dealing with stretch marks

Unfortunately, stretch marks are impossible to get rid of completely, although the section below explains ways in which their appearance can be minimised.

But, if your stretch marks are upsetting you, to the point that you avoid activities or communal changing rooms, you need to not let them make you so down.

Remember: everybody gets stretch marks. Your classmates, if they don’t have them now, will get them in the future. Just about everyone you know has stretch marks. Famous people get vast amounts of makeup done for photo shoots, and the results are then airbrushed – the chances are that your favorite singer or model has stretch marks too, but you just don’t see them!

If you’re pregnant, remember that many women think of their stretch marks as “battle scars”, and that they are nothing to be ashamed of.

Ways to minimise stretch marks – over the counter methods

Bio oil is often recommended as a cure for stretch marks, and there are several other remedies found in pharmacists that will help the appearance of your stretch marks. These remedies generally include moisturisers, and will make the stretch marks appear smaller and tighter, and much less visible.

There are two major downsides to these lotions.

The first is that, in order for them to be most effective, they should be used when the stretch marks are fresh – although, they will have an effect on older scar tissue.

The second is that they often require a heavy time commitment – you’ll need to rub them into your stretch marks frequently, usually twice a day. For this reason, they are pretty tiresome to use every day for the rest of your life! However, if you’re getting married or have another big occasion coming up, and want to minimise stretch marks, then it’s well worth trying these remedies for a couple of weeks before the big day.

Cocoa butter is also often recommended for the treatment of stretch marks. However, studies are inconclusive as to whether or not it can actually help. You are likely to have more success through buying a moisturiser that includes vitamin E, or a preparation that is specifically designed to combat stretch marks.

Some women also swear by rubbing olive oil or other types of oil onto their bellies when pregnant, to reduce the appearance of stretch marks and to keep their skin supple. There is nothing to stop you trying this – who knows, it may even work! However, whatever you do, do not rub your stomach with any oils, particularly scented oils, before checking whether or not they are fine to use in pregnancy. This is because some essential oils encourage vaginal bleeding, which is not a good idea right now. Check with your midwife if you are unsure as to which oils are safe – most health spas will also be able to provide expert advice.

Medical treatment

There are at least two laser treatments that are used to reduce the appearance of stretch marks.

Pulsed dye laser treatment works by holding a pen-like device against the surface of the skin. Light is shone into the area to be treated, which causes a bruise to form. As the bruise heals, the stretch mark fades. This method is also used to treat birth marks.

Fractional laser resurfacing works, oddly, by creating tiny wounds all over the surface of the skin. In order to heal them, the body produced collagen. The hearing process thus reduces the appearance of stretch marks. Fractional laser resurfacing is a very new treatment but has been very promising so far.

The major downside to laser treatment for stretch marks is that it is likely to be very expensive, and, depending on which jurisdiction you live in, may be unlikely to be covered on health insurance or by national health-care provision.

Cosmetic surgery

You cannot remove stretch marks with cosmetic surgery – at least not entirely. However, in some cases, having a “tummy tuck”, where excess skin is removed from the stomach, also removes stretch marks in the affected area. However, this is a fairly drastic way to remove stretch marks, and is only advisable if you have other cosmetic problems, including sagging and unsightly skin.

The major downside to cosmetic surgery is that any operation carries a risk. Cosmetic surgery is also very expensive, and is only suitable for stretch marks on certain parts of the body. You should speak to a qualified surgeon for further advice.

In short, there are several ways to reduce stretch marks, but it’s important to emphasize that there is no magic bullet, and you should be wary of anyone who claims to have found a wonder cure. While you can reduce the appearance of stretch marks, you should also learn to live with them, too.