Thursday, February 26, 2009

Stretch Mark Treatments That Really Work

By Charlene Sim

When your skin gets stretched beyond its capacity, scars are formed. These are known as stretch marks. Stretch marks have the initial appearance of purple or red looking lines. Over time, they will fade until they are pale in color.

The two main causes of stretch marks are pregnancy and obesity. Stretch marks are a very common condition. Just think of all the people who have been either pregnant or overweight! Stretch marks are not just confined to the female population. It might surprise you to know that male body builders suffer from this condition also.

Fortunately, there are some very effective scientific remedies available to treat stretch marks. Here's a look at three of the most common ways to deal with this condition.

1. Dermabrasion. This is a type of stretch mark surgery that takes place under general anesthetic. Dermabrasion is useful for reducing the visibility of abnormalities on your skin such as sun damage, dark spots and scars. The surface of the skin is literally sanded off during this procedure.

This procedure is most effective is the scar is raised above the skin's surface. It's generally much less effective when used to treat sunken scars. This surgery involves a fair bit of pain and it can take months to heal completely. However, the results can be truly amazing.

2. Microdermabrasion. Often referred to as microderm, this is a far less invasive procedure. It's a popular, easily accessible treatment that doesn't require an anesthetic. It involves removing the surface layer of the skin by using a special wand with a roughened surface to lightly sand the skin. Microdermabrasion enjoys a reputation as a painless treatment that is perfectly safe.

3. Skin treatment creams. There are hundreds of products marketed these days that claim to prevent or eliminate stretch marks. Some people swear by remedies such as Vitamin A cream, cocoa butter or various specially formulated creams.

Some of these products have a lot of research behind them and can be quite effective at reducing the appearance of stretch marks. Revitol, NuVectin and Trilastin are stretch mark treatments that many people have had good results with. Keep in mind that these products are generally more effective at preventing stretch marks than eliminating them.

However, many products tend to overstate their ability to get rid of stretch marks. It's important that you read some independent customer reviews on any stretch mark product before you buy it. Do a web search for the product you're considering, and examine sites that aren't associated with the manufacturer. Be sure to investigate the manufacturer's website and research the source of their product claims if you can. - 15995

About the Author: