Stretch marks the less we talk of them, the better.
In fact, most of us wish the phrase didn’t exist in the first place.
But being a global problem, which stretch marks are, we’ve got no choice but to deal with the problem head-on.
No, we aren’t suggesting you to put stretch marks in the league of life-threatening illnesses because they aren’t!
But no woman can deny how unsightly they are, and how much they can tarnish one’s confidence.
Think about it; you can’t wear shorts, you can’t wear bathing suits, and every time you try to get intimate, your lover’s eyes will inevitably go towards those squiggly lines instead of meeting yours.
There is, however, a solution. A solution to reduce stretch marks once and for all. And in this guide, we’ll dive deep into finding the right solution for you.
20 Stretch Mark Remedies Backed by Science That Could Work for You.
To furnish ground of your expectation of having perfect smooth, blemish free skin we come along with scientific studies that effectively cure the appearance of stretch marks.
#1 – Topical Cream
One of the most popular forms of stretch mark remedies is Topical Cream. Topical Creams are the first line of defense which can reduce the redness and look of lines on your skin.
Instead, I recommend tapping into our complete guide on the Stretch Marks Removal Creams.
#2 – Laser Treatment
Skin treatments are always evolving, and new technologies are always being introduced to help people with their cosmetic desires. While there are no medical complications related to stretch marks, they are a source of frustration for many people, especially women.
Dermatologists are offering laser treatment to their patients as a way to deal with the look and feel of stretch marks. Several types of lasers are currently used in dermatology clinics.
Dermatology Lasers
Lasers are a new technology that has become more widely used for stretch mark removal and reduction.
One type of laser includes a CO2 fractional laser.
CO2 fractional lasers can be used in clinical settings to reduce stretch marks with marked success.
You’ll need to talk to your doctor about seeing a specialist who offers this service, but it’s one option that can provide many results.
Pulsed Light
Another form of laser technology that is being used in dermatology clinics and cosmetic clinics around the world is Intense Pulsed Light.
Intense pulsed light used in the area affected by stretch marks as a non-invasive method of treating stretch marks in men and women. The intense light can reduce the redness that appears as a result of stretch marks.
#3 – Ultrasound Stimulation
If you think ultrasounds are just for seeing babies in women’s bellies, you might be surprised to find that ultrasound can improve the way your body functions and reacts to growth. Sound can stimulate your skin and cells to improve circulation and healing.
Ultrasound can be an effective stretch mark removal method as it largely reduces the visibility of stretch marks in both men and women.
#4 – Fatty Acid Intake
You probably already know that fatty acids are important to your overall health. But It turns out that fatty acids can improve stretch marks as well.
Oils rich in fatty acids, such as Punica Granatum seed oil can provide relief of stretch mark appearance over a period of time.
#5 – Exercise is Important
Stretch marks often develop when people have periods of extreme growth, such as teenagers and women who become pregnant.
When muscle tone is improved, skin sits better on the body and can help improve the look of stretch marks. Therefore, exercise can improve the look of stretch marks because reducing the risk of skin atrophy (loose or sagging skin) can make skin appear tighter and make stretch marks less visible.
#6 – Micro-Needling
When stretch marks are really deep, more invasive procedures might be necessary to reduce the look of them overall.
Several stretch mark removal procedures have been introduced as a way to manage the look of stretch marks, and one method is known as Micro-Needling.
Micro-Needling, a form of injection, can be effective in reducing stretch marks by injection collagen into the skin to improve elasticity.
#7 – Prioritize Overall Health
It’s no secret that being healthy can improve all aspects of your life. Improving your overall health can help reduce your risk of getting stretch marks in the first place.
People who are exceptionally healthy tend to have less stretch marks because their skin is better hydrated and has more elasticity.
#8 – Specialized Treatments
If you are looking for something a little more interesting, consider a unique treatment option. Get yourself some dragon’s blood, or Croton lechleri, which has anti-inflammatory properties that can help reduce the look of redness and lines associated with stretch marks.
Reducing the amount of inflammation in the area can help the skin be more malleable and flexible to reduce stretch marks.
#9 – Vitamin D
We all know that Vitamin D is an important vitamin human need, but we can’t produce this essential vitamin on our own. We need to get it from outside sources. Taking vitamins or having injections are just two ways of getting more vitamin D.
Increase your Vitamin D doses to help reduce the risk of developing stretch marks in the first place. If you do have them already, getting more sun, or taking doses of Vitamin D can reduce the look of them over time.
#10 – Hyaluronic Acid
There are many stretch mark remedies you can buy in stores to help reduce their look. Some products are more effective than others.
Hyaluronic acid can add elasticity to the skin, which can help make skin look younger, a nice bonus! and it can help in stretch mark removal.
Use products with hyaluronic acid, which can reduce the risk of developing stretch marks, and reduce the look of them if they do develop.
You can find over-the-counter products that contain hyaluronic acid in the drugstore or your favorite department store.
#11 – Microdermabrasion
Microdermabrasion has been a staple for cosmetic doctors and dermatologists for a while now. You can even buy at-home microdermabrasion kits to help improve the look of your skin. But did you know that microdermabrasion can also help reduce the look of stretch marks?
According to research, it could be just the thing you need to get rid of the unsightly look of stretch marks.
You can see a dermatologist to undergo professional microdermabrasion if this is something you are interested in; over time, the look of stretch marks can be significantly reduced as new skin starts to replace old skin in the affected area.
#12 – Vitamin C
Just like increasing Vitamin D, Increasing Vitamin C can help produce collagen levels in the body, which can reduce stretch marks naturally.
Vitamin C helps your body fight off free-radicals that can make your skin look older and less elastic. Increasing Vitamin C can help your stretch marks look less severe.
#13 – Cocoa Butter
Cocoa butter has long been thought to help improve the look of skin and reduce the appearance of stretch marks. Many women who are pregnant swear by the preventative properties of cocoa butter.
It turns out that there are scientific studies that point to the effectiveness of cocoa butter as a means to soften skin and replace hydration. Anytime you can improve hydration of the skin, you can improve the look of skin.
The application of cocoa butter can help reduce stretch marks over a period of time as well.
To explain more, I recently published a post called “Cocoa Butter For Stretch Marks Used by Millions”
#14 – Avoid Steroid Medication
Part of the battle associated with stretch marks is in preventing them. If you don’t want to develop them in the first place, there are a number of things you can do to reduce your risk of getting them.
There’s A LOT to Stretch Marks Prevention. So, if you want to learn more, I recommend reading through this blog post.
One of those things you can do to decrease your risk of developing stretch marks is to avoid steroids. This includes steroid abusers, as well as patients who have been prescribed long-term steroids for medical conditions. Obviously, some steroids are necessary for medical treatment, but as soon as you don’t need to take them, stop.
Don’t use steroids or stop taking them if you do use them. Steroids can increase the risk of developing stretch marks, and over time, marks can become reduced if you stop taking steroids.
#15 – Pregnant Look for Centella Asiatica
If you are pregnant, use products with Centella Asiatica in the ingredients. This has shown to reduce the risk of developing stretch marks and can help alleviate their look following pregnancy.
Many women ask their dermatologists or doctors about products that have this ingredient in them. It can apparently be a very effective stretch mark remedy at the onset of pregnancy.
#16 – Glycolic Acid
If you’ve ever purchased a face cream to reduce the look of fine lines and wrinkles on your face, it probably had glycolic acid in it.
Glycolic acid is part of the alpha hydroxy acid family. Try using products with glycolic acid in the ingredients.
Glycolic acid has been shown to improve the look of stretch marks when used in conjunction with other treatment methods such as laser therapy or micro-needling.
#17 – Emollient-based Creams
Emollients, which are creams that have water-in-oil preparations are very effective in keeping the skin moisturized.
Creams that have water-in-oil combinations tend to provide a great deal of moisture and hydration to the skin, preventing stretch marks and helping to reduce the look of them if they occur over time.
Emollients are often prepared at a drugstore under the direction of a medical doctor because they contain a combination of non-medical and medical ingredients.
#18 – Paraffin Wax Treatment
Paraffin wax has long been known to provide a great deal of moisture to the body. Many people use paraffin wax baths to lock in moisture to reduce inflammation and treat other skin conditions such as eczema.
Oils derived from paraffin wax can help in stretch mark removal, in addition to improving the look of skin on the whole.
Paraffin oils can reduce the dryness that can cause stretch marks. They can hold moisture in the skin and improve the look of the stretch marks overall.
#19 – Ascorbic Acid
Products that have ascorbic acid in them can increase collagen development naturally and help reduce the look of stretch marks overall.
Ascorbic acid is a form of Vitamin C that is used specifically for people who cannot produce enough Vitamin C on their own. If you have unsightly stretch marks, introducing synthetic ascorbic acid could help improve your relationship with stretch marks.
#20 – Anti-scar Products
If none of these treatment options seem like something you would be willing to try in order to reduce the look of your stretch marks, consider an alternative solution.
Any product that has anti-scar properties in it will help reduce the look of stretch marks as well.
These are likely to be available over-the-counter and can be effective in treating trauma induced scars. Products with anti-scar properties work best just when stretch marks appear and prevent them from expanding further.
Final Words
The problem with stretch mark treatment is that it takes time. Since every person’s skin is different, so you might have to do a bit of experimenting to find the right product. Even though research suggests that a combination of therapies works best as a stretch mark remedy, doctors stress on the importance of taking precautionary measures.
So, women expecting pregnancy should find out ways how they can reduce the chances of having stretch marks instead of falling for marketing traps aimed at them. You need to understand that stretch marks rarely ever go away entirely. The best case scenario would be to reduce stretch marks to the point where they can be barely seen.
Don’t be depressed if you have stretch marks already. Read this guide thoroughly and narrow down to at least two or three potentially effective stretch mark remedies. A trip to the local pharmacy should be enough to start off on the right path. Lastly, acknowledge that it is only human to have stretch marks and it doesn’t diminish your worth as a person.
Good luck!