Stretch marks occur when the skin stretches so far that both the collagen and elastin in the skin break down, causing scar-like markings on the skin that appear bright pink or red. Dermatologist P. Kim Philips from the Mayo Clinic says they occur due to a sudden weight gain or growth spurt, some medical diseases or steroid use. She further suggests treating the stretch marks as soon as possible for the best result. While surgery is usually the only option to rid your body of them completely, there are treatments that can fade stretch marks to make them nearly invisible.
Step 1
Make a mixture of olive oil and aloe vera gel and massage it vigorously into the affected areas of your body. Beauty Assist gives a recipe that mixes 1/2 cup olive oil, 1/4 cup aloe vera gel and the contents of six vitamin E capsules and four vitamin A capsules. Massage the stretch marks with this mixture twice a day, refrigerating the mixture in between uses.
Step 2
Massage cocoa butter into your stretch marks. If you don't have the ingredients for the olive oil mixture, cocoa butter will help fade the stretch marks, too, according to plastic surgeon Michael Bermant. Look for solid cocoa butter that will melt as it is warmed by your skin. Massage firmly to make sure that the cocoa butter penetrates the skin to lock in hydration that will help the body produce collagen and elastin.
Step 3
Undergo a laser treatment. Laser treatments have been shown to be effective in fading stretch marks by encouraging the production of both collagen and elastin, which can remodel the skin, according to Dr. Brian Zelickson, medical director of the Zel Skin and Laser Specialists. Lasers will reduce both the redness and the puffy inflammation of stretch marks.
Dr. Roy Geronemus, medical director of the Laser and Skin Surgery Center of New York, suggests that patients make sure the person operating the laser is trained in conditions of the skin. He recommends patients ask for the medical background, specialty training and board certifications of the person who will be performing the procedure. He warns patients to stay away from practitioners who do not have medical training and supervision from a medical professional.
Tips and Warnings
- Eat a diet rich in both Vitamin K, found in leafy green vegetables, and Vitamin C, found in citrus fruits, broccoli and tomatoes. Vitamin E capsules can be added to the diet, too. These vitamins assist in the production of collagen, which enhances the skin's elasticity and can help to prevent stretch marks.
Things You'll Need
- Olive oil
- Cocoa butter
- Vitamin A capsules
- Vitamin E capsules
- Aloe vera gel
