Stretch marks are pink, reddish or purplish indented streaks that are most commonly associated with pregnancy. Stretch marks often appear on the abdomen, breasts, upper arms, buttocks and thighs and affect up to 90 percent of women. African-American women tend to get stretch marks less than other ethnicities, but the stretch marks may be more visible due to contrasting skin tones.
Step 1
Cover stretch marks with a moisturizing foundation that matches the color of your skin tone. A foundation that is too light or too dark will call attention to the stretch marks. If you are prone to acne, use an oil-free foundation.
Step 2
Get micro-dermabrasion treatments for older stretch marks. Micro-dermabrasion gently removes the skin's topmost layer, which may result in new skin growth that is more elastic. Multiple treatments are necessary to lighten the appearance of old stretch marks, but it is unlikely that they will dramatically improve their appearance, since stretch marks are splits in the deeper elastic layers of the skin.
Step 3
Get a pulsed-dye laser therapy treatment. Pulsed-dye laser therapy remodels underlying skin by promoting the growth of collagen and elastin. It also improves stretch marks by targeting the blood vessels supplying blood to the skin of the stretch mark. Pulse dye laser therapy is best for young stretch marks. Improvement is gradual and multiple treatments are necessary to achieve optimal change.
Step 4
Use tretinoin cream, also known as Retin-A, alone. A study in the Archives of Dermatology shows that applying 0.1 percent tretinoin cream may help reduce the appearance and length of stretch marks. Tretinoin cream is best for new and enlarging stretch marks. Apply tretinoin cream every other night until your skin has become adjusted, then apply it nightly for 12 months.
Things You'll Need
- Moisturizing foundation
- Retin-A
