Both stretch marks and cellulite are skin conditions that make your skin appear flawed, although neither condition is dangerous or requires treatment. Stretch marks are pink lines that appear on the skin, and cellulite makes skin look lumpy due to connective tissue being stretched across fat cells in the body. If you dislike the appearance of your cellulite and stretch marks, doctors can use surgical or non-surgical procedures to make skin look smoother and clearer.
Cellulite Treatments
Cellulite occurs when fat cells are pulled over connective tissue, particularly in the legs, buttocks and hips of women. The most effective treatment for cellulite is weight loss combined with building toned muscles. Fat cells will protrude through the connective tissue less, making the lumpy consistency less noticeable.
Radio frequency and infrared lasers can be used to treat cellulite effectively. During these procedures, a cosmetic surgeon or dermatologist applies a radio frequency machine or infrared laser to the skin, usually two times a week, according to the Mayo Clinic. After several weeks, cellulite will begin to look smoother and less noticeable. Although radio frequency and infrared laser treatments can be expensive, the results will last for about six months.
Stretch Marks Treatments
Stretch marks are small tears that form on the skin due to sudden stretching during weight gain or growth. Dermatologists can prescribe a cream that makes stretch marks fade, like a cream that contains tretinoin. Newer stretch marks will fade more effectively with tretinoin cream than older stretch marks, which may require laser treatment or microdermabrasion.
Pulsed dye laser treatment is performed by a cosmetic surgeon or dermatologist and works by stimulating the growth of collagen under the skin. Pulsed dye laser therapy targets very small areas, making healing time faster than traditional skin laser treatments.
Microdermabrasion is a procedure performed by a cosmetic surgeon or dermatologist that applies a rough tool directly to the skin to sand off a portion of the skin. When the area grows back, the stretch marks will appear less noticeable. Microdermabrasion is effective on older stretch marks that may not respond to tretinoin creams.
What Doesn't Work
Over-the-counter stretch mark and cellulite creams are inexpensive and readily available, although they are not effective in removing stretch marks or cellulite, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Additionally, liposuction is ineffective at getting rid of stretch marks or cellulite. Stretch marks are marks on the skin that are not affected by the fat cells underneath, and removing fat cells from the body by liposuction may make cellulite look worse.
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