Easy Stretch Mark Removal - Top 3 Choices For Getting Rid of Stretch Marks!

There are several different methods that can be used to accomplish stretch mark removal including a variety of creams and lotions, massage and exfoliation of the skin. While none of these techniques guarantee fast results on their own, I promise that using a combination of them (and others) will!

1. Start Using Specialized Anti Stretch Mark Cream

There are a wide range of creams, gels and lotions available that can help in a natural and holistic manner. Many of the creams include ingredients like collagen and elastin that are produced naturally by the human body. Creams are also inexpensive compared to other treatment methods and they are safe and effective. Some of the ingredients that people should look for in a cream are high potency elastin, collagen, soy protein, aloe vera, squalene oil, vitamin A, vitamin D3, vitamin E and grape seed extract. Two top quality products (at least according to reviews) have been listed below.

• Trilastin-SR: One of the most effective of the stretch mark removal creams is Trilastin. Many thousands of people have reported success at removing or reducing their stretch marks with this product. Included in this cream are soy protein, high potency elastin and collagen that make up a unique complex of structural proteins that can help to repair the skin. Trilastin is a very potent cream and consists of 100 percent rejuvenating amino acids.


• Revitol: One of the most popular stretch mark removal creams on the market. This product is used both to reduce the appearance of existing stretch marks and to help prevent from occurring in the first place. The manufacturers recommend that the cream be used both during and post pregnancy in order to prevent the scars from showing. Revitol is made out of holistic and natural ingredients such as grape seed extract, vitamin E, vitamin D3, vitamin A, squalene oil and aloe vera gel. These ingredients can revitalize the skin and make it more elastic while promoting new skin cell growth.

2. Massage Treatments

Stretch mark removal without surgery is a definite possibility and many people have had very good success with combining massage techniques and exfoliation methods with various creams and lotions. Massage helps to increase circulation to the subcutaneous layer of fat under the skin. It also breaks down fat cells with pressure so that they can be flushed away along with skin damaging toxins. This not only improves the appearance of your skin, but it also helps to remove unwanted fat and inches.

3. Exfoliate Your Skin Regularly

Exfoliation of the skin -- done properly -- can have many of the same effects that are achieved by microdermabrasion or laser surgery. Exfoliating the skin removes a thin layer of the dead and damaged skin cells on the surface. Done regularly this will remove the stretch mark scars and promote new and healthy skin growth. After massaging and exfoliating the skin, a cream can also be used to nourish and lubricate the skin so that it is supple and flexible.By Sean Saunders

Home Remedies to Get Rid of Stretch Marks - Tips to Remove Stretch Marks Within 2 Weeks Naturally

The dermatologists term stretch marks as 'Striae Atrophicae.' They are mainly caused due to sudden growth of weight. When our weight increases, the skin also needs to expand but it has limited elasticity. When this expansion goes beyond the elasticity, we can see some white or silver colored fine lines on the surface of the body. These are called stretch marks or the striae. Among women they mostly occur due to hormonal changes, pregnancy and puberty. For men the key reasons of striae are sudden weight gain and excessive workouts at the gymnasium.

Here are some tips that need to be considered in order to remove these unwanted lines naturally within 2 to 3 weeks:

* Zinc : You must have foods that are rich in zinc. It helps a lot in formation of the new skin tissues. Some of the items that are rich in zinc enlist oysters, shellfish, wheat germ, bran cereals, pine nuts and pecan nuts.

* Vitamin E: This is a tried & tested cure for all sorts of skin issues. You can massage the affected area with vitamin E oil. Also you can have diet that is rich in this nutrient. Some of the items include sunflower oil, cottonseed oil, hazelnuts, almonds, mayonnaise, peanuts, popcorn, etc.

* Vitamin A & C: Vitamin A helps in strengthening the skin tissues and vitamin C add glow to the newly formed cells. Together they make a perfect diet to cure stretch marks. The list includes carrots, citrus fruits, milk, potatoes, mangoes, etc.

* Castor oil: Apply a thick layer of castor oil on the affected area and tie it with a plastic sheet. Now apply heat on it for 20 to 40 minutes using a hot water bottle or the heating pad. You must do it once in a day for at least 7 days.

* Aloe vera:  Blend aloe vera gel or butter with vitamin E oil and olive oil. Apply this mixture once or twice a day regularly.

* Cocoa butter: Massage the affected area at least once in a day with cocoa butter. This is a conventional and perhaps the most recommended tip to get rid of the striae.

* Shea butter: It is used just like the cocoa butter and is indeed worth a try. It has no side effects and shows assured results within one or two weeks.

* Water: It helps in maintaining the necessary moisture of the skin. You must have at least 10 glasses of water per day.

* Stretch mark creams : You can apply natural creams and lotions that comprise of all the above mentioned ingredients. Captiva is one of the most effective anti- stretch marks cream that contains all the above ingredients. This ointment has tremendous moisturizing and healing properties. It can easily repair your damaged skin by stimulating the production of collagen and elastin in your dermis.By Martha Winslett

How To Manage Stretch Marks

1.External applications:

Topical creams and moisturizers, skin firming agents and skin hydrators are available in different trade names but they give fewer results in long standing cases; however the following topical agents are widely used with varying results.

Topical agents are supposed to promote collagen synthesis when applied on the affected skin.

• Topical retinoid therapy (retin A treatment)

Examples: - Retinaldehyde, tretinoin, Isotretinoin, adapalene etc are used. Tretinoin should not be used during pregnancy and lactation.

• Glycolic acid creams are used to remove the outer layers of the skin.
• Silicon dioxide is used with some benefits.
• Elastin cream can promote formation of elastin.
• Hydroxyproline containing creams are useful.
• Alpha hydroxyl acids (8 to 10%) are used with good results.
• Glycerol is used as a moisturizer.
• Topical vitamins (E, A & K).
• Vitamin E oil is commonly used.
• Creams containing marine tissue extract are useful externally.
• Antioxidants (they act as scavengers of free radicals).
• Vaseline is routinely applied on the skin.
• Biopeptide CL containing creams are useful.
• Topical sunless tanning products are also useful.

Some naturally available substances are also used with good results, which are mentioned under a separate heading.

2. Masking methods: 

 Here the stretch marks are not removed, but kept covered by appropriate dressing and other methods like tattoo or ornaments etc.

3. Dermabrasion: 

  Here the superficial layer of the skin is removed by a procedure called micro dermabrasion, which will increase collagen production resulting in the formation of normal healthy skin. This method is recommended for those who do not prefer painful and expensive surgical techniques. This is the cheapest and harmless method among all types of skin resurfacing techniques. Here no chemicals or medicines are required. Micro dermabrasion involves the use of a pen like instrument that sandblasts the skin with tiny crystals to remove the cells in the superficial layer of the skin. On an average 10 to 12 sittings are needed for a better result.

4. Skin remodeling:  

Here needles or lasers are used. Needle pricks can induce collagen production in the affected area.

5. Chemical peeling: 

Here some chemicals in cream base are applied on the affected area. These creams can remove the epidermis of the skin. The dermis can produce more collagen and gradually normal skin is formed.

However this method is painful and may even cause skin injury due to some reactions.

Glycolic acid and Jessner's peels are commonly used. For medium depth peeling Trichloracetic acid is used. Here the skin becomes red & swollen for a few days and gradually becomes normal.

6. Laser treatment:

This is the most commonly used method, which gives better result than any other method. Statistics show that about 70% of cases treated with a laser have given good results. However, laser cant give good results in all cases as it works on certain skin types.

Different types of lasers are used on the basis of the color of skin. Here a narrow beam of laser is transmitted through the affected skin that can stimulate the production of collagen. Laser can stimulate the division of fibroblasts of the skin, thereby promotes tissue repair. It is true that laser cant remove stretch marks, but improves their appearance. Dual laser treatment is effective after a few sittings. Pulse dye laser therapy is also used with sizeable results and is a better choice among different laser treatments. However laser therapy is expensive and also causes pain during the procedure. More over five to six sittings are needed to make some noticeable improvement. Laser therapy gives better results in red raised scars and pinkish stretch marks. However, modern laser therapy is very expensive.

7. Cosmetic Surgery:

Here surgical methods like skin grafting, skin reduction, liposuction etc are done. In case of horrible abdominal stretch marks with folded skin due to fat deposition that does not respond to normal methods can be managed by abdominoplasty. However this method is very expensive and may cause scars on the operated site.

8. Endermologie:

This mode of treatment was invented in France. Here, a special machine is used to massage the affected site with the help of rollers and a suctioning action of the machine. This method is supposed to improve the blood circulation and removal of toxic substances from the skin. It can also strengthen the connective tissues of the skin. Series of endermologie procedures have given marked improvement in the appearance of stretch marks.

10. Anti depressive medicines:

Those who are over anxious about stretch marks need mild doses of antidepressants and psychotherapy.By Dr Olusola A Coker Ed.D