Stretch marks, also referred to as striae, are pink-, red-, purple- or white-indented scars on skin. They are most common on the abdomen, breasts, buttocks, thighs and upper arms. A result of rapid weight gain, such as the type that occurs in pregnancy, stretch marks occur when the skin does not have time to adjust to the weight change and stretches quickly. Although stretch marks are not serious and fade over time, they can be embarrassing for both men and women. Fortunately, there are ways to reduce their appearance and hide them.
Step 1
Apply creams designed to reduce the appearance of stretch marks. Cocoa butter nourishes and hydrates skin, helping to boost collagen and elasticity. You can also ask your doctor about using tretinoin cream. Available with a prescription, tretinoin is used on newer stretch marks to rebuild collagen. According to Babycenter, it can decrease the length and width of stretch marks.
Step 2
Discuss laser therapy with your dermatologist. If your stretch marks are severe or are in a prominent place, the expense of laser therapy may be worth it. Laser therapies lighten dark stretch marks and stimulate collagen production to restore skin elasticity.
Step 3
Buff your skin with microdermabrasion, a method used best on old stretch marks.. You can buy microdermabrasion kits at the store or get it done professionally. With this method, tiny crystals are used to remove dead skin cells and buff the surface of your skin. This reveals new and more elastic skin underneath.
Step 4
Apply sunless tanning cream, spray or foam. Stretch marks cannot tan with ultraviolet light found in tanning beds or real sun rays, but sunless tanning cream can darken stretch marks and the surrounding skin to hide them and make them less noticeable.
Step 5
Wear body makeup to cover your stretch marks. Choose a brand that is water- and sweat-resistant, and a shade that matches your skin tone. Apply the body makeup in the morning and touch up throughout the day as needed.
Things You'll Need
- Cocoa butter
- Treinoin cream
- Microdermabrasion kit
- Sunless tanning cream
- Body makeup
