Stretch marks seem to be one of the most common skin issues around. They can appear during pregnancy, rapid weight gain or loss and during growth spurts. To make matters worse, experts affirm that no treatment seems to be effective in eliminating them completely.

Stretch marks or striae are a type of scar that is caused when the dermis tears due to over stretching. At first, these scars appear as reddish lines on the skin, especially around the abdomen, breasts, thighs, upper arms, hips and buttocks. They slowly fade and become light, silvery lines.

There are no health risks associated with these striae, but since they affect the look of your skin they could lead to self esteem problems. For this reason, there has always been an ardent search for stretch marks remedies or better yet the ultimate solution of stretch mark removal.

Studies have shown that the application of creams containing centella asiatica extract, vitamin E, and hydrolysates have diminished the appearance of stretch marks during pregnancy. Additionally, many women swear that using cocoa butter has helped them prevent stretchmarks, even though this claim is not backed by the experts.

Alternatives for Reducing Stretch Marks

Nevertheless, surgery is the best solution for the removal of stretch marks. Dermabrasion and laser treatments are also being used to reduce the appearance of scar tissue produced by stretch marks.

Lately, natural skin care lotions are becoming an increasingly important to people looking for a non-invasive treatment for stretch marks and other skin care concerns. These types of lotions are usually composed of retinoids, glycolic acid and vitamin C. This combination helps increase the production of collagen and elastin which supplies the skin with more elasticity, therefore, reducing the possibility of scarring. This can also improve the general aspect of your skin by improving circulation.

Remember, nothing can guarantee the removal of 100% of the scar tissue produced by stretch marks. When it comes to stretch marks, the key is prevention. There are skin care lotions that will give your skin the moisture it needs to decrease your possibilities of developing unsightly stretch marks.