Stretch Marks

Did you know that they were hereditary? Yep. They run in some families more than others. So, what are they? Stretch marks are almost like scar marks. You get them when your body is growing faster than your skin can handle.

During pregnancy, for example, when you are more likely to experience rapid weight gain, the skin stretches too rapidly. So, if you are pregnant, monitor your food intake so you don't gain weight too quickly. But stretch marks aren't just a woman problem, stretch marks also occur during other periods of weight fluctuation as in bodybuilding, yo-yo dieting and adolescent growth spurts.

So, is it possible for them to go away?

What You Need To Know:

• Moisturize! This makes the skin more pliable. Remember, start treating for stretch marks at the inception of pregnancy, a weight-building program or any other growth spurt. This is essential to keep the skin hydrated. This will help reduce inflammation and stave off the negative effects of the hormones in the skin.

• Glycolic and topical retinoids help build collogen. Stop by your local comestic department store; you'll find that almost every major skin care line has a cream for stretch mark. Plant-derived extracts like alpha hydroxy acids, or AHAs. AHAs, remove skin cells' top layer, thereby increasing cell regeneration.

• Retinoids, which you can get either over the counter or in prescription form are also helpful. Retinoids include vitamin A and help increase collagen and regulate skin cell growth near the surface of the epidermis. Examples of retinoids include retinol, tretinoin and prescription medications like Differin, Renova, Retin-A and Tazorac.
• Chemical peels. When using retinoids to treat your stretch marks, you'll see better results if you simultaneously use glycolic acid. For instance, if you are undergoing a glycolic acid chemical peel--a procedure that removes your skin's top layer and eventually produces a fresh layer--you could use various prescription-strength retinoids so that your skin will react well to the peel.

• You can have a peel for mild or severe stretch marks, and you can do the procedure at home or at a spa. However, if you want it to have long-lasting effects, have a professional to administer the treatment, as this will ensure your skin is receiving a proper concentration of chemicals.

• Fraxel Laser Treatment is a non-invasive, FDA approved laser treatment that passes through the top layer of skin like light through glass, reaching into the dermis below to create thousands of tiny, microscopic areas of thermal damage that stimulate the body’s wound-healing response. This creates new collagen production and replaces damaged marked skin with new epidermal skin. Depending on the amount of stretch marks two to three treatments actually reverse and remove stretch marks as well as tighten and tone the skin’s texture and pore size. The good thing about this treatment is that Fraxel Laser has no downtime and no side effects. It can also be used to treat and remove melasma, brown spots known as the mask of pregnancy, c-section and acne scars, fine lines, wrinkles and loose skin

Watch this clip below.