"Toning Down your Stretch Marks ...

Most individuals with stretch marks are very self conscious and embarrassed about them. There are a few basic options for toning down the appearance of these bothersome blemishes, helping to make them as unnoticeable as possible.

Unfortunately, there isn’t a way to completely remove the damaged skin, apart from surgery, but there are effective ways to minimize the appearance. Stretch marks aren’t in any way dangerous, or hazardous to your health; they’re simply a cosmetic issue. Sadly, this means that most stretch mark removal treatments aren’t covered by your insurance policy, creating more out-of-pocket costs if you choose to go with the surgery. We’re happy to let you in on a few effective ways people succeed in minimizing their stretch marks, though, which could be enough.

Chemical peels are also a popular option. During a peel, the practitioner uses a weak acid solution to remove the uppermost layer of skin, in order to stimulate cell growth in the epidermis. This tends to result in smoother, more youthful looking skin, as the stretch marks are diminished in size. Peels usually take more than one treatment to reach full effect, and they carry the risk of scarring from the use of chemicals, but have been very successful for many individuals.

Laser surgery is the most effective option, when done correctly, but it’s very expensive, mainly due to the fact that five or six treatments are needed to see desirable results. Research shows that laser surgery generally works best on newer stretch marks. Laser surgery stimulates the growth of new tissue in the dermis, enhancing the appearance of stretch marks for up to six months after treatments are stopped.

There are a wide variety of creams that you can buy, that claim to eliminate stretch marks. Only a few of them live up to their claims completely, and they also work best on newer stretch marks. Creams must be used consistently and massaged in to stimulate the growth of new tissue. Most creams will help the appearance of stretch marks, but consistency is key.