The middle layer of skin known as the dermis may tear when you gain weight too quickly. This can cause long scars known as stretch marks to appear on your skin, especially during pregnancy. A variety of creams exist that can minimize the appearance of stretch marks over time. These creams are commonly available and can be inexpensive. Some creams for the treatment of stretch marks may require a prescription.
Step 1
Obtain a cream that contains an emollient from a grocery store or beauty supply store. An emollient is a substance that provides moisture to the skin, makes it more flexible and less likely to tear. Cocoa butter is an excellent emollient that's relatively inexpensive and is a common treatment for stretch marks. A good skin cream may include other emollients like shea butter, elastin, collagen, emu oil and vitamin E.
Step 2
Wash your stretch marks in the morning with a gentle soap and pat it dry with a towel. Rub the cream into your stretch marks with your fingertips using circular motions. This will allow your skin to absorb the cream more thoroughly.
Step 3
Wait at least 10 minutes before getting dressed. Skin creams have a low melting point, which allows your skin to absorb it easily when it warms up to body temperature. You may also wish to treat your stretch marks with cream before going to sleep.
Step 4
Use skin cream to prevent stretch marks from occurring during pregnancy. Apply the cream to areas where stretch marks are likely to occur, such as your abdomen, breasts, thighs and hips. It's much easier to keep stretch marks from developing than it is to treat existing stretch marks.
Step 5
Apply Tretinoin to stretch marks after you give birth. This cream is effective in treating new stretch marks, but it requires a prescription. Tretinoin makes your skin more sensitive to sunlight so you'll need to apply sun block when you wear a swimsuit outdoors.
Things You'll Need
- Cocoa butter
- Shea butter
- Elastin
- Collagen
- Emu oil
- Vitamin E
- Towel
- Tretinoin
