Sunday, March 1, 2009

Stretch Mark Treatments That Really Work

By Keira Adams

Stretch marks are a form of scarring that can occur when a person's skin is overstretched. 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.

The good news is that there are several treatments for stretch marks that have been shown to be highly effective. Here's a look at three of the most common ways to deal with this condition.

1. Dermabrasion. General anesthesia is required when you undergo this kind of stretch mark surgery. The aim of dermabrasion is to remove or lessen the appearance of scars, damage from the sun or dark spots. In this procedure, the surface of your skin is sanded off using special equipment.

Dermabrasion works best when the scar or mark being treated is above the surface of the skin. For the treatment of sunken scars, though, it's not nearly as effective. The procedure is very painful and the healing process can take several months.

2. Microdermabrasion. Popularly known as microderm, this treatment is much less invasive. You can easily undergo this procedure at any number of convenient providers, and you won't need an anesthetic to dull the pain. A special tool is used to gently sand the surface layer of the skin in order to remove it. Microdermabrasion enjoys a reputation as a painless treatment that is perfectly safe.

3. Creams and lotions. The market is overflowing with stretch mark creams and lotions that promise to get rid of your problem. Creams and lotions containing Vitamin A, cocoa butter or an assortment of other ingredients are highly popular.

There are several of these treatments that have scientific evidence showing that they can minimize the look of stretch marks. Some of the more effective treatments for stretch marks are Trilastin, Revitol and NuVectin. Keep in mind that these products are generally more effective at preventing stretch marks than eliminating them.

Use caution, though, because some of these products don't get rid of stretch marks as effectively as they claim to. It's important that you read some independent customer reviews on any stretch mark product before you buy it. Search the internet, and look for sites that aren't tied to the product being sold. Also, check out the company's website and try to follow through on any of their claims.

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