Stretch marks are red, pink or purple lines that appear when the skin's normal production of collagen is disrupted, resulting in the skin being pulled and stretched. The lower layers of skin do not grow as quickly as the outer layer and that can cause the marks. Kids can get stretch marks if they grow or gain weight quickly, like during puberty. Stretch marks are most common on the breast, thighs, hips and abdomen. They fade on their own over time, but they can cause a child or teenager to be self-conscious. If stretch marks are causing your child embarrassment, there are some things you can do to help get rid of them.
Step 1
Apply a cream that has a skin-rejuvenating ingredient such as cocoa butter or Vitamin E. Many creams are specially designed for the treatment of stretch marks. Although using creams isn't a guaranteed method for getting rid of stretch marks, it can help make them less noticeable by improving the condition of the skin.
Step 2
Ask a dermatologist to prescribe a tretinoin cream. Tretinoin helps to rebuild the skin's collagen and reduce the appearance of stretch marks. This method works best on new stretch marks, usually those that are less than 6 weeks old and are still red or pink.
Step 3
Talk to a dermatologist about laser therapy options. Laser treatments can stimulate collagen and elastin production to help repair the skin or even change the skin's pigment. Laser therapy requires more than one treatment.
Step 4
Discuss microdermabrasion with the dermatologist. This option works by using tiny crystals to polish the skin's surface and scrub off the top layer. A vacuum tube removes the crystals, allowing new skin growth. Microdermabrasion works best for old stretch marks, so this may not be an option for new marks.
Tips and Warnings
- Remember that 70 percent of teenage girls and 40 percent of teenage boys get stretch marks, according to Everyday Health. If you get stretch marks, you are not alone. You can use body makeup to cover up the stretch marks while they are in the process of fading. You can also apply a sunless tanner to make the marks less noticeable.
- Do not use a tanning bed or lay out in the sun to get a real tan to cover up stretch marks. This will only make them more noticeable, because stretch marks do not tan. Use sunless tanning products only. Remember that your dermatologist may not feel that prescription creams or special treatments are appropriate for a child or teenager. It depends on each child's situation and the severity of the stretch marks.
Things You'll Need
- Stretch mark cream
- Body makeup
- Sunless tanner
