Most of us have some somewhere and we all loathe them. Stretch marks affect millions of women around the world and are a leading cause of body dissatisfaction. Also known as striae, stretch marks are red, purple or pink tears in the skin that generally appear on the buttocks, thighs, breasts and abdomen. Over time they fade to white or silver but will not completely disapper without the help of special treatments.
Thanks to advances in dermatological and cosmetic science there are now several topical treatments such as creams, lotions and oils and cosmetic prcedures that can successfully remove your stretch marks. By finding the best treatment for you, you can improve your skin's appearance and regain your self confidence.
Stretch marks generally appear after periods of fast growth or around the abdomen after child birth. They are caused when the dermis is stretched beyond capacity and unfortunately very few of us women escape unscathed.
Bio Oil has recently become a popular topical treatment for stretch marks. This light oil contains high levels of vitamin A and E and a manufactured lubricant trademarked as Purcellin oil. Applied twice daily this oil has been proven to improve the appearance of stretch marks.
Another popular topical treatment is Strivectin-SD. This product comes with a 100% money back guarantee and contains Butylene Glycol, vitamin A and C and shea butter as a deep moisturizer.
If you need to be bikini ready ASAP, then there are some quick and effective treatments available at your cosmetic dermatologist. Microdermabrasion is a procedure that uses aluminum oxide crystals to exfoliate the skin surface and reveal new and undamaged layers of skin. As well as being quick, this procedure is almost painless, there is no recovery time and results are very good. Another option is laser treatment using an "excimer laser". This process involves shining high energy ultraviolet light onto the affected skin surface. The light beams actually repair the damage caused to the dermis. Skin may be left a little red and tender, but recovery is very fast. For its effectiveness and quick recovery time, laser treatment is becoming a very popular treatment for successful stretch mark removal.
If you have large stretch marks around your lower abdomen, then a tummy tuck will remove the stretch marks with incredible results. This is a surgical procedure that involves removing the affected skin. While very effective, it also involves a high cost, risk of complications and a substantial recovery time.
Women everywhere suffer from stretch marks. Nowadays thanks to better understanding and technology we do not have to cover up or avoid looking in the mirror. There are successful ways to remove your stretch marks and regain your satisfaction with your body once more.
Gerald Pryse has been online for almost eight years.He enjoys writing about home improvement, education, and finance subjects. Check out his newest web site where he discusses blue area rugs, black area rugs.