Several factors, including rapid weight gain, bodybuilding and pregnancy, cause stretch marks. Often pink, red or purple in color, stretch marks tend to appear on the breasts, abdomen, butt, arms and thighs. Although there are a few treatments that may help reduce the appearance of your stretch marks in two weeks, most require repeat treatments to improve your stretch marks. Keep in mind that no procedure will completely remove stretch marks. Talk to your dermatologist about what method of treatment is right for you.
Step 1
Apply topical tretinoin cream on stretch marks less than six weeks old. According to the Mayo Clinic's website, cream containing tretinoin helps rebuild collagen and improve the appearance of stretch marks. This treatment works best on new stretch marks that are still red or pink. Apply the cream to stretch marks once a day. Avoid using this method while pregnant because tretinoin can cause serious birth defects.
Step 2
Try microdermabrasion. Tiny crystals are applied to the surface layer of your skin using a hand-held machine similar to a small vacuum. After the crystals "polish" the skin, the machine removes the surface layer of skin, according the Mayo Clinic. This treatment helps stimulate the growth of new skin and improves the elasticity of your skin. To effectively decrease the appearance of stretch marks, additional treatments may be necessary.
Step 3
Purchase a sunless tanning lotion or spray. TeensHealth recommends using these products to reduce the appearance of visible stretch marks within a few weeks. Look for a color that closely matches your skin type and use as directed. Tanning beds and excessive sun tanning can cause health problems and should not be used as treatments for stretch marks.
Step 4
Ask your dermatologist about excimer laser therapy. Different from a pulsed dye laser, excimer laser therapy works to stimulate the production of melanin to recolor stretch marks, explains the Mayo Clinic. When it works, stretch marks resemble the color of your regular skin and are less noticeable. This method may be effective on older stretch marks and generally requires several repeat treatments.
Things You'll Need
- Tretinoin cream
- Sunless tanning lotion or spray
