Deciding which is the best stretch mark removal treatment for you can be tricky. Stretch marks are as naturally and commonly occurring as anything else in the human body. You might think that you are alone in having them but that is not the case. They occur when the body changes suddenly, not giving skin cells called dermis time to react, damaging them in the process. When these skin cells are damaged, sufficient collagen can not be produced leaving a scar or a “stretch mark” on the skin tissue.
Stretch marks are most common in pregnant women, in fact 90% of women get them on their hips, breasts, stomach and thighs. During pregnancy women gain a lot of weight and fast. Most times the skin cells just do not have enough time to react. The secret to avoiding them is to keep a close eye on your weight. Try and not gain too much to quickly. Even if you are able to do that, there is no guarantee that you won’t get stretch marks, genetics play a part too.
That brings us to the question, what is the best stretch mark removal treatment? Well, the answer depends on a number of factors. New stretch marks have a higher chance of fading away completely with any of the below remedies. It is the older and deeper stretch marks that can be problematic. Let’s take a look at your options and decide which one suits you best.
1. Natural Remedies
There are a number of natural remedies that can be used for the treatment of stretch marks. Most of these treatments will not remove the scars completely but in a manner of speaking, improve their appearance. Anyway, here are the best stretch mark removal natural remedies that are known to work:
- Oils: Most oils have healing qualities that can really help the skin. Not only this, but they will help keep the skin moist and soft as well. Oils like castor oil, lavender oil, olive oil, etc. are good options.
- Egg Whites: Apply egg whites to the affected area three times a day. The protein in the white should help your dead skin recover.
- Aloe vera: Get yourself some aloe vera gel right from the leaf and not the tubed stuff. Apply the gel on the affected area and leave it for a couple of hours for best results.
- Lemon Juice: The acidic nature of lemon juice acts as a great healing agent for the skin. Rub the juice into the affected area and leave it for 10-15 minutes everyday.
- Potatoes: Potatoes are a more effective natural remedy on this list. They have the ability to stimulate collagen production in the skin and therefore help rejuvenate it. Cut a slice and rub it over your marks three times a day for best results.
- Turmeric: Turmeric has healing properties. In many cultures it is used as the chief healing agent for abrasions of the skin. Applying turmeric paste to the stretch mark scar will help it fade.
- Other methods: Alfalfa, cocoa butter, shea butter, raw sugar, apricot masks are all popular natural remedies for stretch marks. Their effectiveness or lack of is relatively untested and therefore difficult to comment on. These are definitely not the best stretch mark removal remedies, but may well be worth a try if you are looking for home remedies.
Pros
100 % natural, don’t cost much, easy to use, no negative side affects.
Cons
Do not completely remove the marks, results can vary, most effective on fresh marks.
2. Creams and Lotions
There are a number of creams and lotions available in the market that can help remove or fade stretch marks. If any cream or lotion claims to completely remove stretch marks, more often then not, it may be stretching the truth. In any case, here are some of the best stretch mark removal cream and lotion options for you to try:
- Retinoic Acid: Creams containing retinoic acid trigger the production of collagen in the skin and therefore reduce stretch marks. Creams like Retin A are known to be quite effective. It is not safe to use during pregnancy and requires a prescription to be bought.
- Glycolic Acid: Like retionic acid, glycolic acid can help boost collagen in the affected area. The advantage it has over retionic acid is that it is readily available in stores, has no side affects and does not require a prescription.
Pros
Cheaper than most therapies, easy to use.
Cons
Too many unregulated products to chose from means that there are too many risks involved, will not completely remove stretch marks.
3. Laser Treatment
Laser treatment is one of the most effective ways to remove stretch marks. Dermatologists use a combination of lasers are to remove part of the dead skin which in turn leads to an increase in the production of collagen. As the old layers of skin are removed, new layers of skin form quickly. The treated area remains sore for a little while, but once it heals, the skin looks fresh and smooth. The number of treatments needed depend on how old and deep the stretch mark scars are, but laser treatment does do a good job in removing stretch marks.
Pros
More effective than other methods, relatively risk free.
Cons
Healing may take up to a few weeks, the treated area of the skin may blister, older stretch marks may require as many as 10 treatments and even then only just fade.
4. Microdermabrasion and Chemical Peels
Microdermabrasion and Chemical Peels are techniques used by dermatologists to repair scars including stretch marks. In microdermabrasion, a crystal spray is used on the marks to remove the dead layer of skin. On the other hand, chemical peeling is a therapy that involves the application of a chemical solution on the stretch mark before peeling it off along with the dead skin cells. Both of these techniques trigger the release of collagen and elastin which help in the reduction of stretch marks.
Pros
Risk free, will lead to healthy looking skin.
Cons
Will not remove completely stretch marks, more than a few treatments needed for best results.
5. Micro Needling
It is a relatively new procedure that involves puncturing the scarred area of the skin with tiny needles. The puncturing leads to the production of collagen as the skin begins to heal naturally. This collagen will not only act on the punctures but also on the existing stretch marks. For new stretch marks, the treatment may completely remove the scars. But for older marks, it may improve appearance but will not completely remove them. Is it the best stretch mark removal therapy out there? Most probably not, but it is close and well worth a try.
Pros
Has a very high rate of satisfaction.
Cons
May result temporary irritation, flaking and redness, may not completely remove stretch marks.
6. Surgery
Surgery is the last option as far as stretch mark removal goes. This is the only way that you can get rid of those stretch marks for good. Unfortunately, the only procedure available right now is Adominoplasty, the surgical procedure of removing excess fat in the tummy. In other words if you are looking for weight loss after delivery and get a tummy tuck, you will get rid of all of the stretch marks on your tummy and naval region as a bonus.
Pros
Complete eradication of the stretch marks.
Cons
You have to get a tummy tuck, stretch marks in other areas of the body remain unaffected, costly, that did I mention that you have to get a tummy tuck.
There are many treatments out there, natural as well as therapeutic. Which of these is the absolute best stretch mark removal treatment? Well, that depends on your expectation of the result, the costs associated with the treatment and most importantly, just how badly you want to get rid of those stretch marks. There is no best stretch mark removal technique, it’s all about finding out what works for you.
