Quick Review of Methods Used to Get Rid of Stretch Marks

People today are looking for new and practical ways to get rid of undesirable, unattractive-looking stretch marks. Some methods of treatment provide far better relief to affected individuals than to others, and some are safer than others.

Treatment Advantages and Disadvantages

For some types of treatment available, there is far more research proving both success and safety of a particular way to remove stretch marks. Some of the advantages and disadvantages of popular forms of medical and non-medical solutions to this problem include as follows:

• Microdermabrasion: One of the milder forms of treatment used to help improve the quality of the skin is this cleansing process. It has eliminated numerous skin problems in the past, including the presence of striae.

• Pros: Overall, this method of treatment has resulted in vast amounts of positive changes in many people. Usually during the course of treatment patients who undergo this procedure experience a very refreshing, regenerating skin cleansing. Additionally, it works to correct flaws on people of many skin types and recovery time is short.

• Cons: The only major downside is that it can be time-consuming, as it requires several sessions. It may also not work as well for removal of more severe skin problems.

• Chemical Peel: The top layer of damaged skin is removed and replaced by new skin cells during this process. This procedure involves the use of a chemical and an applicator such as a cotton swab, sponge, or brush.

• Pros: This process allows for increased rejuvenation of the skin. It can be uses on many locations of the body such as the face, arms, legs, neck, chest and hands. Furthermore, this treatment is available in different strengths/levels (or superficial peel, medium peel or deep peel). Furthermore, the procedure sessions are very short and recovery time is considerably fast.

• Cons: This procedure involves the use of harsher solutions than other ways of removing stretch marks. As a result, it causes stinging or burning in some patients.

• Laser Surgical Removal: Two popular types of laser removal are used. One usually involves the application of pulsed dye to various areas of the skin where problems are most noticeable. A way of treating stretch marks that works similar to this is called fractional laser resurfacing.

• Pros: Treatment can often be completed in fewer visits than for other methods of striae removal. Furthermore, no known side effects have been reported. It has been used with some success in pregnant women, bodybuilders, or teens.

• Cons: The recovery time is longer. Furthermore, a controversy surrounds whether or not this way of treating stretch marks is actually effective.

• Topical solutions: Additional research needs to be provided in order to determine the effectiveness of certain types of topical oils, creams, ointments, or lotions. It is said that some of the best products that work are those that include ingredients such as Vitamin E, Collagen hormones, or Centella asiatica extract. Not much evidence supports the use of Cocoa butter for this purpose.

• Pros: If a person who wants to try to remove striae can find a toical cream, ointment, or lotion that works for this purpose it would be quite a bit cheaper than surgery, chemical peel, or microdermabrasion. The other positive side of using these products is that they can be applied at home.

• Cons: False claims of stretch mark removal are running rampant right now. You have to be very careful not to spend all your time and money purchasing products that are ineffective. You might be better off trying to cover this problem up with sunless tanning lotion or body makeup than using this treatment.