Stretch marks are a common type of scar that appears on the body after a significant change in weight. They can be red and pink in colour, and they can fade over time. Stretch marks are permanent but they can fade with proper care and treatment. The good thing about stretch marks is that they are painless, meaning they will not irritate the skin.
Stretch marks often make people feel self conscious and insecure about the part of the body they appear on. Stretch marks are nothing to be ashamed of, they occur naturally after a change in weight, usually caused from pregnancy.
Reputable laser clinic, The Laser Treatment Clinic, gives their tips on how to best care for your stretch marks.
What causes stretch marks?
Before we get into the best way to treat and care for your stretch marks, it’s important to know why they have appeared.
Stretch marks are often caused by a sudden change in weight or growth. The main reason behind stretch marks is because of pregnancy. During pregnancy a woman’s body changes quickly in a short amount of time, this is why stretch marks are incredibly common amongst pregnant women.
The other reasons include going through puberty, weight gain, weight loss, and being overweight. Stretch marks are also more prevalent in women than they are in men.
Keep reading to find out the best ways to treat your stretch marks at home.
How to treat stretch marks at home
You can get professional treatment for stretch marks, but did you know you can also effectively treat them at home too? There are certain products you can use to reduce the appearance of your stretch marks if you wish to do so.
Retinoid creams that contain hyaluronic acid are a great way to reduce the appearance of your stretch marks. These creams are non invasive and easy to use. If your stretch marks are new, and you are NOT pregnant, retinol cream is a great option for you.
Retinol creams work by helping to rebuild collagen in the skin, giving the appearance of healthier and younger looking skin.
However, if you are pregnant do not use retinol creams and hyaluronic acid as this could harm your baby. Retinol creams are ideal for non-pregnant women with stretch marks.
Professional treatments for stretch marks
Many professional treatments for stretch marks involve stimulating the production of collagen in the skin.
Collagen is a protein that makes your skin look youthful, healthy and smooth. This is why stimulating the production of this protein can reduce the appearance of your stretch marks and make your skin look younger and healthier.
If at-home remedies are not working for your stretch marks, it may be time to look into professional treatment. There are a few ways that skin care experts can treat stretch marks, keep reading to find out which one appeals most to you.
Microdermabrasion: this treatment involves a professional using an abrasive instrument to gently sand the top layer of your skin. This treatment helps to thicken the collagen in your skin, allowing for a more even and youthful look. This can greatly reduce the appearance of your stretch marks.
Laser treatment: this popular treatment involves using lasers to heat up the skin and encourage new skin cells to grow. This in turn stimulates the production of collagen which helps to fade your stretch marks and give your skin a healthier appearance.
