Stretch marks appear on the surface of the skin as a result of sudden weight gain. They are typically a reddish-purple color and appear as fine lines on the skin. Over time, they may fade and not be as noticeable. You can use several techniques to get rid of stretch marks. In the meantime, use sunless tanning products to cover them up.
Step 1
Drink a lot of water. Dehydration can affect the elasticity of the skin and make stretch marks more prominent on the skin. Aim to have eight to 10 glasses a day and avoid diuretic beverages, like coffee and soda.
Step 2
Adjust your diet. Weight gain is not the only reason that stretch marks may appear, nutritional deficiencies can cause them at all. Make sure you eat a well-rounded diet with foods high in zinc, protein, vitamin C and vitamin A. Food sources for these nutrients include fish, nuts, eggs, chicken, turkey, oranges, grapefruit, carrots and green leafy vegetables.
Step 3
Try a stretch mark cream to get rid of the blemishes. Tretinoin is a common ingredient used in over-the-counter creams to treat stretch marks. A few products that you can try that have tretinoin include Adrien Arpel Cream and Obagi Nu Derm. Tretinoin will only work on stretch marks that are less than six months old.
Step 4
Make an appointment with a dermatologist or plastic surgeon. If you are unable to get rid of stretch marks on your own, you can arrange for an in-office skin treatment. Various procedures can be used to treat stretch marks and a doctor will recommend a particular treatment based on the severity of your stretch marks. Some examples include laser therapy, chemical peel, microdermabrasion and dermabrasion. You may need to undergo several treatments before the stretch marks are completely gone.
Tips and Warnings
- If you are pregnant, talk to your doctor before using any products to get rid of stretch marks.
Things You'll Need
- Stretch mark cream
