First of all, understanding what the word stretch marks means will help you understand whether to keep calm or fight to get it off you. This occurs when the skin which has elastic properties is overstretched. When the skin is overstretched, the normal production of collagen (the major protein that makes up the connective tissue in your skin) is disrupted. As a result, scars called stretch marks may form.
This is mostly common amongst young girls and older women. It can be found in different parts of the body such as thighs, breasts, hips, and buttocks. They may show up as purple or reddish streaks and can be uncomfortable for some. Of course, when you have such, it deprives you from wearing bikini and bum shorts --instead, you wear those suites that hide the stretch marks. Then you start to think of ways to eliminate it. Some people are desperate to find a way to erase stretch marks. Many people, especially women, see their stretch marks as unsightly and embarrassing.
There are different causes of stretch marks and the most common is pregnancy. Other causes include rapid weight loss or gain and puberty. Women are not the only people who suffer this. Men do too, as a result of weight gain or loss or use of drugs (steroids). It is recommended to use moisture rich cream and oil containing cocoa or Shea butter and almond oil.
You can make it less noticeable through sunless tanning system. There is also the body make up that matches your skin tone. It can cover or almost make it invisible. There are tons of creams and other skin products that help make it look good. But you can’t make stretch marks go away entirely without the help of a dermatologist.
Laser therapy is another option. According to the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, a surgeon can use different types of lasers --it all depends on the color of the stretch marks. One type reduces the color of dark stretch marks while another stimulates the production of pigment-making cells in already faded stretch marks. A newer type of laser therapy can be used to stimulate the production of collagen and help restore the skin's elasticity in depressed stretch marks.
Microdermabrasion and dermabrasion work in very much the same manner as the laser option, but they use a fine blade (like an electric razor) to scrape away the upper layers of skin, promoting new skin cell growth. I must say here that all these procedures are extreme and invasive. There is also an alternative which is called the Non-Ablative Skin Rejuvenation which uses low levels of light energy to stimulate the skin cells and make them to repair themselves. These stretch mark surgeries require a considerable recovery time and may be costly.
Seeing all the procedures and causes of stretch marks leaves you the choice of either removing it or letting it be. Note that most of these surgeries are not advisable for teenagers as they are not done growing up.
