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Stretch Mark Treatments: Agents Against Those Stubborn Stretch Marks
Treating stretch marks is not as straightforward as one would think. Unlike some other skin conditions, stretch marks can prove to be quite stubborn. These purplish skin streaks develop as a result of the sudden gain of fat or muscle in an area. This sudden stretching of the skin surface causes the skin to react by scar-like collagen formations that – when retracted – form our beloved stretch marks.
This condition is common among mothers since their skin around the hips, tummy and thighs suddenly expand during pregnancy. Since the skin cannot cope with the stretching that then takes place, stretch marks form. However, stretch marks are not exclusive to mothers, they also occur in people that suddenly gain weight, and people with dry skin or skin that is not elastic.
Proper moisturizing, diet, and exercise are all great ways to avoid the occurrence of stretch marks. However, due to other factors such as genetics, sometimes even the best laid preventions can only do so much. There are, however, treatments available to help lessen the severity or totally remove these stretch marks.
1. Dermabrasion and Laser Treatment. Dermabrasion is a procedure that sands away the upper layers of your skin. This can be a long term investment since the procedure takes a few hours to perform but a few months to heal. This procedure also involves the use of anesthetics for the skin since the procedure would be painful without it.
Even considering the inherent risks and relative unease some people feel when given this procedure, Dermabrasion can yield quite spectacular results. It is best for scars and stretch marks that affect the upper layers of the skin.
Laser treatment aims to achieve roughly the same effect. Lasers offer a precision strike against the offending area and can dramatically decrease the severity of stretch marks after a treatment session. Chemical peels also aim to do the same thing. Consult with your dermatologist for the pros and cons of these treatments.
2. Creams and Lotions. For people with dry skin moisturizers are a must to avoid stretch marks. If the skin lacks elasticity, the body is more likely to produce extra collagen and form the stretch mark. Shea butter has been proven to be a great intensive moisturizing treatment.
Retinoid creams have been used to increase the health and elasticity of the skin. They also help reduce the imperfections that mar them. While there are hundreds of supposed anti-stretch mark creams in the market, a startling number of them are useless.
This should not dampen your hope regarding some of them that do work. You could also try some of the anti-keloidal, anti-inflammatory creams that help prevent stretch marks from further progressing. They can lessen the swelling in existing stretch marks and can prevent the appearance of more stretch marks in the future.
3. Diet. . A proper diet makes the body healthy. That includes the skin as well. While you may not really notice it, the secret to glowing, supple, elastic skin is proper diet and hydration. Make sure you take a good amount of water everyday to keep yourself from being dehydrated. If you are dehydrated, then your skin suffers as well.
You should also take a skin-friendly diet that consists of foodstuffs high in vitamins A, C, and E. These vitamins help the skin glow and regenerate against the adverse effects of free-radicals brought about by pollution, etc. Try to avoid foods that can dehydrate you, like coffee, sodas, and teas.
About The Author
This content is provided by Low Jeremy. It may be used only in its entirety with all links included. For more information on stretch marks prevention, please visit http://stretch-marks-prevention.com
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