Stretch marks don't appear just because your skin is stretched to accommodate increased body mass due to weight gain, pregnancy or teenage growth spurts, says the "Patient's Guide to Stretchmarks." The production of a hormone called cortisone weakens the fibers in your skin whenever you gain weight. Often, stretch marks are less prominent over time and don't require medical intervention. There are fast, medical ways to address stretch marks, says the Mayo Clinic, although none of these procedures will get rid of them entirely.
Pulsed Dye Laser Therapy
New collagen and elastin growth can be stimulated by using a non-ablative laser, says the Mayo Clinic. This treatment targets the dermis--the underlying skin--and works best when stretch marks are newly acquired. The "Patient's Guide to Stretchmarks" indicates that a series of treatments may be needed for optimal results.
Fractional Photothermolysis
This methods of removing stretch marks works similarly to pulsed dye laser therapy and is also nonablative in nature. The difference between the two treatments is that fractional photothermolysis results in less damage to the area of the skin treated, allowing it to heal quickly. The "Patient's Guide to Stretchmarks" adds that this technique is most helpful when removing white stretch marks or if the skin's texture is more of an issue to the patient. This treatment can cause hyperpigmentation (darkening of the skin), so dermatologists usually conduct a patch test before proceeding with the therapy.
Microdermabrasion
An option for taking care of older stretchmarks is microdermabrasion, says the Mayo Clinic. During this procedure, a dermatologist uses a hand-held device that sprays aluminum oxide crystals onto the skin, which gently abrades the skin surface, after which the crystals are removed with a vacuum tube. Microdermabrasion only affects the top-most layer of skin; the "Patient's Guide to Stretchmarks" warns that results may be subtle.
Creams
Stretch marks that are new--less than six weeks old and still pink or red--may show some improvement through topical application of tretinoin cream, the same medication used to treat acne and wrinkles. Tretinoin encourages collagen growth, making the mark blend in better with the rest of your skin. Over-the-counter products that contain shea butter, cocoa butter, aloe vera, grapefruit seed extract or other oils do nothing to prevent or remove stretchmarks, says the "Patients Guide to Stretch Marks," which recommends only tretinoins and consumer creams that contain alpha-hydroxy acids. Tretinoin cannot be used during pregnancy.
Dubious Treatments
Eating a certain food or adhering to a specific diet won't prevent or treat stretch marks, says the "Patient's Guide to Stretch Marks," nor is there any surgery that can be used to remove them, as a scar will be left behind instead. Chemical peels will have almost no effect on stretch marks.
