Stretch Marks Treatments for Every Budget
Stretch marks are an unfortunate fact of life. Growth spurts, pregnancy and gaining large amounts of weight in a short period of time are some of the causes of stretch marks. Because this issue affects a large amount of the population, there are a wide range of treatments for stretch marks.
No matter what your budget or severity of your stretch marks is there is a treatment option for you. Remember that the only true solution to stretch marks is prevention.
Some treatments are natural, home remedies that have been used for ages. Others are skincare creams especially geared towards removing stretch marks. Yet others are more invasive surgical procedures.
The following text will take a look at each one of these alternatives.
Home Remedies
Home remedies are the most inexpensive way to eliminate or reduce the appearance of stretch marks. Natural oils and gels, like rose hip oil, lavender oil and aloe vera gel, can be massaged directly on the affected area to reduce the appearance of stretch marks. These products and others can be combined to produce natural stretch mark lotions and balms.
For example, combine:
*1/2 cup olive oil
*1/4 cup aloe vera gel
*4 capsules Vitamin E (remove liquid and discard casing)
*2 capsules Vitamin A liquid
And store in the refrigerator in an airtight container. Every day you can apply this natural lotion to your skin. Don't forget that natural remedies will take longer to produce the desired effects so be patient.
Topical Lotions and Creams
Topical creams and lotions are another alternative to diminishing the appearance of stretch marks. These products help provide elasticity to your skin while removing an external layer. That way when the skin regenerates, it will be smoother and with less scar tissue.
You can usually see results within 4 to 6 weeks if you follow the instructions on the label.
Surgery
A newer and popular method for reducing the color and depth of stretch marks is laser scar removal. It is by far one of the most effective ways for minimizing the appearance of stretch marks.
However, the most effective way to eliminate scar tissue, including stretch marks, is plastic surgery. This option provides immediate results by removing the skin affected by stretch marks.
Each one of the aforementioned alternatives is valid for different cases. The ultimate choice will depend on your budget and the extent of your condition.
As we have mentioned, there is a wide variety of options for scar treatment and stretch mark scar removal. To treat stretch marks in the most satisfactory way, consult with your dermatologist.
Published April 9th, 2009