Can You Really Get Rid Of Stretch Marks?

What does the science say?

Believe it or not: but a stretch mark is actually a part of your body healing damaged parts of your skin. Specifically, the dermis (the middle layer of your skin).

Stretch marks appear when the skin is forced to stretch or shrink rapidly This can occur from weight gain, pregnancy or even rapid muscle growth. These sudden changes can cause the collagen and elastin in you skin to rupture. Your body remains amazing and can heals those ruptures, but they do scar and we call those scars, *stretch marks*.

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Can you ‘get rid’ of them?

Once stretch marks become visible you should make peace with the fact that they are semi-permanent and might fade to some degree. But there are things you can do to minimise the appearance.

It’s very important to distinguish the “age” of the scar. In the early stages, the scars tend to be red, purple, pink or brown (depending on your skin tone). They may also feel raised to the touch and might be itchy or uncomfortable (obviously, it is damaged skin). As the scar ages the colour will fade. That is a sign that the scar has sunken beneath the skin.

Prevention in the early stages will always be the best cure. However rapid growth, in pregnancy, for example, is something a woman has no control over. That being said, hydrated (hyaluronic acid) and moisturised skin could result in less severe scarring, because you are assisting the skin in its healing journey.

Treatment options

Let me start by saying that camouflaging the scars is probably the only instant option you have. Self-tanner and make-up. NOT SUN BATHING.

Studies have shown that home remedies aren’t effective. These remedies include: almond oil, cocoa butter, olive oil, or vitamin E.

So, if you are serious about minimising the appearance of your stretch marks, in-office procedures and prescribed topical medication will be your best bet.

A prescription retinoid cream (Tretinoin) or gel may improve the appearance of stretch marks that are only a month old. Tretinoin, could assist the skin to rebuild collagen in the deeper layers of your skin that over the counter lotions cannot reach.

If you’re keen on splurging on expensive treatments, head down to your dermatologist and have a conversation about these inoffice procedures:

Chemical peel
Laser therapy
Microdermabrasion
Radiofrequency
Ultrasound

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While stretch marks are not physically painful, they can affect a person’s confidence and self-esteem. It can be disfiguring in severe cases.