Removing Stretch Marks

After pregnancy, stretch marks will not fade instantantly. They may last for a very long time, and you will not eliminate them before at least six months after you have your baby.

Normally, stretch marks will fade with time, and if you followed the advices on how you can avoid stretch marks you may actually be fine with the results of the natural fading. There are several scar serums that will, if used faithfully in the first months after pregnancy, help your scars heal faster.

Not everyone is content to depend solely on the natural fading process of a stretch mark. Many women seek more effective stretch mark removal options.

Luckily there are several options available for people who are wondering how to get rid of stretch marks, although results vary as do the costs associated with them. Stretch marks pose absolutely no health dangers and don't interfere with your organism's capability to function. Therefore, stretch mark elimination is considered a cosmetic procedure. In all but strong weight loss cases, most insurance companies won't cover the cost of cosmetic surgeries.

If you were not able to prevent stretch marks from forming, please study the dangers carefully before going through with any clinical procedure. Surgeries, by their very nature, are an invasive procedure. Always go to a specialist and check their references.

Surgical Stretch Mark Removal

Stretch mark surgery (commonly referred to as 'plastic surgery') is the best solution to make stretch marks go away.

Abdominoplasty, commonly referred to as a 'tummy tuck', will remove skin under the belly button (which happens to be where the majority of stretch marks appear during pregnancy), and, as a result, removes the stretch marks completely.

Plastic surgery can be performed anywhere there is excess skin (thighs, upper arms, etc.) As with any surgery, a tummy tuck will leave scarring of its own, which will fade the first year after surgery. The surgical incisions are usually made low in the abdomen so that they can be dissimulated by bikini bottoms or other clothing.

Most insurance companies do not cover the cost associated with a plastic surgeon performing a surgery to remove a stretch mark. Prevent them from forming if you can, because the cost of the surgery depends on where you have the surgery done (some doctors and clinics charge more than others), but a good estimate of cost would be somewhere from $4000 to $7500. 

By:  Valerie Garnier

Home Remedies For Stretch Marks That Work Surprisingly Well

 

Pregnancy and How to Get Rid of Stretch Marks

Perhaps before we begin to consider the question of how to get rid of stretch marks we should gain some understanding of just what they are and what causes them to appear. Then we can consider appropriate treatments.

Today, something like 90% of women are prone to these problems arising during the course of their pregnancy.

Pregnancy is not the only cause of them on your skin. They can also be due to puberty or obesity, however this article will focus primarily on pregnancy stretch marks arising when your abdomen gets stretched suddenly and loses its elasticity. This gives rise to fine lines appearing on your skin. They can appear anywhere - on your stomach, thighs, breasts, or on your buttocks. The distension of your breasts causing them usually appears during pregnancy because during this period the breasts become enlarged and heavier.

In the early stages these stretch marks appear as red or purple in color but with time these lines fade and turn whitish, irrespective of whether they are treated or not. They have their origins in the middle layer of our skin from which our skin receives nourishment.

There are many treatments available for removing these like laser treatment, lotions and dermabrasion or chemical peel. But do realize that pregnancy stretch marks are not at all harmful and fortunately they can be treated easily with some very safe home-made formulations. These also include some very effective herbal recipes.

First and foremost though, you should attend to the basics. Start by drinking at least 8 glasses of water a day so as to hydrate the skin. Also avoid caffeinated drinks such as coffee and cola as much as possible, as these can result in an undue amount of fluid being flushed from the body.

Ensure you get plenty of fresh air and exercise and eat fiber rich meals such as fish and nuts which include zinc; and foods rich in Vitamins A, C and D such as carrots and milk. Your meals should also include liberal portions of green leafy vegetables and fruits.

A good friend of mine had no idea where to start when it came to getting rid of her stretch marks.
But she soon had the problem solved after acquiring a quite remarkable publication she'd found on the net. This showed her how to solve her problem using nothing more than common everyday household ingredients - which if not found in the kitchen cupboard can be easily obtained from your local supermarket or health food store.

She'd heard about many of the common herbal treatments which included daily massage with the likes of cocoa butter, olive oil, wheat germ oil and so on. But this took things to another level altogether. As she explained to me .. "This was just something else".

Besides these herbal stretch mark treatments, there are many lotions for pregnancy stretch mark removal. These creams contain vitamin C and vitamin E, which moisturizes your skin. Again - while not completely eliminating them these can also be used effectively to fade the appearance of lines.

Laser surgery is of course an option, if you are seeking how to get rid of them completely. Today, technology relating to laser surgery has advanced and has resulted in dermabrasion, an effective way of getting rid of unwanted ugly stretch marks. But it should be noted that such treatment does not come cheap. In the first instance you might like to take a look at the other alternatives.

Dale Calder  hails from Auckland, the City of Sails, New Zealand and all of his adult life he has had a strong interest in all aspects of holistic health, especially focusing on natural herbal remedies and recipes.By Dale Calder

The Benefits of Microdermabrasion for Stretch Marks

Microdermabrasion is a technique that is proven to be effective in reducing stretch marks, s well as the skin's fine lines, or what is commonly known as the crow's feet. It also reduces age spots and acne scars. Microdermabrasion is a skin renewal process that accelerates collagen and skin cells production.

The microdermabrasion method involves the use of a pen-like device, which has the ability to emit helpful crystals to the skin's surface. What happens at that point is a tender abrasion course of action that entails the polishing off of all the skin's impurities, and in this case, the stretch marks.

One session of microdermabrasion usually lasts for 30 minutes or so. Patient has to undergo a total of 12 sessions for maximum results, with every session two to three weeks apart. Maintenance procedures also have to be undergone as well.

Microdermabrasion is a highly successful procedure with several benefits to boost. To list some of its benefits here they are:

1. Microdermabrasion has no side effects. The procedure's side effect is next to nil. There will be no peeling, no scarring, or even redness on the skin that will be noticeable. This is the safest way to achieve a stretch mark-free skin in no time.

2. The process is very effective. Microdermabrasion gives the skin a healthy-looking glow. You will feel fresh right after each session. After continuous treatment, your stretch marks will be gone as if was never there. But it is also true that the extensive cases of stretch marks may require several sessions, as well as a lot of maintenance handling.

3. Microdermabrasion does not involve the use of surgery. If you wanted to get rid of your stretch marks minus a worrisome surgical procedure, microdermabrasion is the one for you. The procedure is not only very safe and effective, it can also be carried out during your lunch break.

4. Microdermabrasion is applicable on any skin color and any skin type. Unlike some methods, like laser, that do not work on certain skin types, microdermabrasion is different. It can accommodate your skin, regardless of its color, texture, or the stretch mark's complexity. But as in all procedures, patients with a good and fair skin tones have a higher probability of producing the best results.

5. The procedure does not require the use any chemicals. This will benefit most those people who easily get irritated from certain chemical compounds that come in contact with their skin. Microdermabrasion is conducted with a hand-held device and it does not require any other elements. For maximum results, a personalized skincare program is advised, so that doctors can focus on the areas that needed more attention in relevance to your skin tone and skin type.

6. Microdermabrasion follows a very simple formulation. The whole process is noninvasive; so all your normal activities can be carried on as usual. It does not even require the body to be subjected to any form of medication.

Stretch marks can now be treated minus the hassle. You need not have to worry anymore about how you can get rid of those unsightly marks around your stomach or some other parts of the body.

Microdermabrasion could be the solution to your problem. Go ask your doctor how you can personally experience the procedure's optimum results. Then you can say goodbye to the stretch marks that seems to be in your body for the longest time already.

By Low Jeremy

Ten Skin Problems of Pregnancy

Pregnancy brings with it many changes, emotionally, physically, and mentally. From a mental and emotional standpoint, you're preparing to adopt a new role of parent, with all its accompanying responsibilities. Physically, of course, you're dealing with changes in the shape, function, and movement of your body. While we have a society-wide belief that pregnant women are always glowing, that, unfortunately, is not always the case. No where is this more evident than in the skin problems of pregnancy.
You've probably heard the phrase, "the eyes are the window to the soul". If this is true, your skin is the window to your current state of health and the changes taking place on the inside. During pregnancy, aside from all the other issues, you may also have to deal with a variety of skin changes, including rashes, acne, stretch marks, breaking nails, hair growth or loss, and dark blotches on the skin.
Most of these changes are directly linked to the enormous amount of hormonal fluctuations women experience during pregnancy. During pregnancy, there are all kinds of changes which can have impact on your skin, leading to new skin problems or worsening of existing ones. In some cases, pregnancy may actually help improve existing skin conditions. Let's look at various skin conditions in more detail, defining the main ten skin problems of pregnancy.
1) Rashes. Rashes appear due to irritation of the skin. One common pregnancy rash is called pruritic urticarial papules and plaques of pregnancy (PUPPP). This is the most frequently seen condition specific to pregnancy. Women with PUPPP demonstrate a rash which starts on the abdomen and can spread to the breasts, arms, thighs, and buttocks.
2) Acne. Acne is another skin condition that may get better or worse during pregnancy. Acne is, at least in part, driven by hormones, so the hormones of pregnancy can lead to more breakouts for some women, and clearer skin for others.
3) Oily skin. Oily skin is third skin condition which may arise during pregnancy. This is related to increased levels of androgen, the male sex hormone, which causes an increase in sebum production. The more sebum produced, the oilier the skin. Many women report that their skin and hair becomes oilier during pregnancy. Most of the time, these issues can be addressed with over the counter oil controlling cleansers and products.
4) Stretch marks. The fourth skin problem of pregnancy, stretch marks arise when the under layers of the skin is stretched, resulting in visible striations on the surface of the skin. Stretch marks can be treated after the fact, but the best treatment is always prevention. Keeping your skin well moisturized, especially on your tummy, breasts, thighs, can help reduce the appearance of stretch marks.
5) . These are another possible skin problem of pregnancy. Spider angiomas are groups of very tiny blood vessels which gather around a central point and radiate out like the legs of a spider. Pregnant women are likely to develop these on their chest, faces, arms, and sometimes on other places on the body. Most of these spider angiomas clear up after pregnancy.
6) Chloasma. Chloasma, also called melasma, or the "mask of pregnancy" is another skin condition which is diagnosed when certain areas of the skin turn darker because of excess pigmentation. Most often, this condition affects places of the skin which are most often exposed to sun, like the upper lip, forehead, cheeks. This condition is likely to clear up after pregnancy. Again, you can lessen your chances of chloasma by using a good (baby safe) doctor recommended sunscreen throughout the course of your pregnancy.
7) Too much hair. Changes in the hair are also common during pregnancy. Some women lose a lot of hair within a few months after delivery, while many are troubled with excess hair growth during pregnancy. Excess hair growth is most often seen on the lip and chin, and is triggered by an increase in androgen and other male hormones during pregnancy.
8) Brittle nails. Many women experience breaking, splitting, or brittleness to their nails during pregnancy. Physicians aren't quite sure why this occurs, but it may be managed with an over the counter nail hardening polish. Check with your doctor.
9) Skin tags. Skin tags are little pieces of skin which over-grow and hang from the neck. These can increase in number during pregnancy. If you have skin tags before pregnancy, it may be that pregnancy will cause these to increase.
10) Atopic dermatitis. Also known as eczema, this skin condition may appear or worsen during pregnancy. Marked by extreme skin itchiness, too much scratching can lead to the skin become red, swollen, or cracked.
If you are pregnant, be sure to watch for these ten skin problems of pregnancy. If you begin to develop any of these conditions, seek appropriate medical advice; you don't have to suffer through these conditions for the whole nine months. Chances are that your doctor will have recommendations which can address your skin problems so you can have healthy, beautiful skin, even while you're pregnant.

By Ally McNeal