Stretch marks can be anyone’s worst nightmare, be it men or women. It is definitely not a good sight to have, especially if you are fond of wearing swimsuits because you love summer activities. It can be a source of anyone’s inferiority complex, and it’s not like we wanted this to happen. However, since it stays for a long time, it can be uncomfortable for anyone to see whenever they get dressed up in front of the mirror.
Even though there are many home remedies known to prevent and minimize the appearance of stretch marks in the body, they can still stay for a long time. Thus, it would be best to have permanent solutions to get rid of stretch marks in our bodies. Some people are ready to spend thousands of dollars to eliminate these annoying and unsightly stretch marks in different parts of the body.
This article answers the question: can you get rid of them permanently? This article will also discuss the different causes of stretch marks and how you can eliminate or minimize the appearance in the future. This is going to be an exciting read, so hop on.
In a Nutshell: Causes and Reasons Why
It is a no-brainer that they are caused by stretching of the skin. These are also known as striae. These are indented streaks that usually appear on the breasts, abdomen, buttocks, hips, or other body parts. These are more common in pregnant women, as they tend to have their skin stretch due to their baby bumps. These commonly happen in the last trimester, and these are very regular occurrences.
Stretch marks are not harmful and painful, so there is no need to worry about the appearance of these marks on your body. They fade over time, even though you do not pursue treatment on those, but they may also never disappear entirely. This possibility can cause a headache to many people, mainly because they do not look appealing at all.
Common variations of these include streaks either in pink, black, red, blue, or purple, bright streaks fading to a lighter color, indented streaks or lines on the hips, breasts, abdomen, buttocks, or other body parts, and sometimes, streaks can also cover large areas of the body. Imagine the headache of some people experiencing these cases.
Aside from pregnancy, they can also be caused by rapid weight loss or gain, weight training, especially if you have rapid muscle growth and growth spurts thanks to puberty. They can also get itchy, depending on some people, so when you scratch it, it can also deepen the scars and therefore be much harder to diminish or fade entirely in time.
Common Treatments
As mentioned above, stretch marks tend to fade in time, even if you do not put any treatment on them. However, the possibility of it not disappearing completely is a concern to some people. Thus, many people resort to remedies for stretch marks because if it does not fade completely, they can at least diminish its apparent existence in the body.
Stretch marks are somewhat permanent, like any other scar, but receiving treatment may alleviate the scarring and the itching. There are stretch mark creams, lotions, and gels sold on pharmacies and online, all of them promising to completely eliminate any trace of these on your skin.
You are free to try any of these products sold on the market. Still, suppose you are a pregnant woman or a lactating mother. In that case, you should consult your doctor before buying any of these products. Some of these products usually contain retinol, which is harmless to most people but can be potentially dangerous to your baby.
Home remedies are also available, such as rubbing oils like cocoa butter, almond oil, olive oil, or vitamin E into the stretch marks. Researchers found out that these work. However, suppose you happen to be allergic to any of these oils. In that case, it is recommended for you to stay away from them to avoid any complications.
Some people apply prescription medicine such as tretinoin and hyaluronic acid onto the stretch marks, which work to diminish the appearance and prominence of the. However, keep in mind that these cannot be bought without a prescription from the doctor, so always consult your healthcare provider for these options.
Cosmetic Treatments and Procedures for Stretch Marks
Dermatologists also recommend several cosmetic treatments and procedures to treat stretch marks. These treatments are proven to be effective in acne scarring, and stretch marks are classified as scars anyway.
These treatments and procedures include laser therapy, chemical peels, radiofrequency, microdermabrasion, and ultrasound. In some cases, your dermatologist may use multiple treatments and procedures for the best results. For instance, they might recommend treating you with a pulse dye laser and radiofrequency.
Can Stretch Marks Be Completely Eliminated?
Back to the question above, stretch marks are classified as scars, similar to acne scars to surgical scars. This can be hard to eliminate if you are only relying on home remedies and DIY treatments. Suppose you really want to get rid of stretch marks completely. In that case, you must go to a dermatologist and undergo several consistent treatments to totally get rid of those stretch marks.
The results can be seen in a short time as long as you consistently receive these treatments. You can ask your dermatologist about the options for eliminating stretch marks using multiple treatments and procedures for more effective results.
Our Takeaway
It can be frustrating dealing with stretch marks, primarily when they are known to not completely fade in several cases. We get stretch marks due to sudden weight changes, hormonal changes due to puberty, or pregnancy. These are classified as scars and tend to be permanent. However, most cases fade over time, and treatments speed up the process without waiting for years to completely erase them from the body.
Refine Medical Center offer treatments and procedures aiming to remove any imperfections causing insecurities to their clients, be it stretch marks, signs of skin aging, or any other condition that can cause low self-esteem to their clients. With their state-of-the-art cosmetic equipment, achieving a flawless appearance is not reaching for the stars anymore.
