Monday, January 26, 2009

How to Minimize Your Stretch Marks

Maybe you've just had a baby or have experienced rapid weight gain or weight loss. Maybe your skin has been stretched to the limit, thereby causing unsightly stretch marks. Many will tell you that you'll just have to learn to live with the problem, because there's no truly effective way to get rid of stretch marks. But this isn't the whole story.

It's true that there are no "perfect" stretch mark treatments. However, you can find ways to dramatically improve their appearance so that they're hardly noticeable.

Your genes will largely determine whether or not you're likely to get stretch marks. Regrettably, science has not yet advanced to the point that you can alter your DNA. However, diet can play a critical role in preventing and even treating stretch marks. Of course, it's unlikely that eating certain types of food will directly result in stretch marks. However, substantial weight gain or loss can definitely be a factor. So if you watch what you eat and control your weight, you can prevent stretch marks from appearing in the first place.

A number of creams, lotions and oils are available that can minimize the appearance of stretch marks. Unfortunately, many of them aren't particularly effective. During pregnancy, many women painstakingly apply lotions and creams to their abdomens in an effort to prevent stretch marks, but find in the end that there was no stopping them.

But some products are actually pretty useful in combatting stretch marks. Alpha hydroxy acids and Retin-A medications combined with topical steroid creams are one such treatment. They are able to minimize inflammation and keep your skin's hormones from causing stretch marks. Additionally, they help to restore collagen and elastin and thereby enhance the look and feel of your skin. A prescription is needed in order to obtain these stretch mark products.

Yet another common means of eliminating stretch marks is laser treatments. Although results can vary, doctors have experienced much success with those whose stretch marks are still red in color. The lasers reduce redness and inflammation.

Other ways to rid yourself of stretch marks include plastic surgery, chemical peels and microdermabrasion; however, the outcome isn't always what you expect. When it comes to plastic surgery for stretch marks, the scars it leaves behind might be more unsightly than the original stretch marks.

To discover the stretch mark treatment most suited to you, discuss this information with your physician to point you in the right direction. A specific treatment for stretch marks might be effective for one person, but show no results for someone else. The only way to find out which stretch mark treatment will have the best results for you is to try them yourself.

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