Stretch marks, also known as striae, are white, pink or red scar-like lines or bands that form on the skin when it expands quickly--such as during pregnancy, weight gain or growth spurts that occur during adolescence. Many consumer products claim to treat stretch marks that form on the hips, thighs, stomach, buttocks, breasts and flank. Finding an effective stretch mark cream to remove them is largely wishful thinking, warns the dermatologists at "The Patient's Guide to Stretch Marks."
What Are Stretch Marks?
Stretch marks don't occur simply because the skin is being stretched. Another factor that causes stretch marks is increased levels of a hormone called cortisone, which causes the elastin fibers in the skin to weaken, say experts at the Mayo Clinic. Women are more prone to getting stretch marks, especially during the third trimester of pregnancy. They are more common in women who are younger, those who have larger babies and women who are overweight. Having a family history of stretch marks also makes certain people more likely to get them, say experts at the Mayo Clinic, as does taking corticosteroid medications. There is currently no known treatment that can prevent stretch marks.
The Stretch Mark Cream Myth
"The Patient's Guide to Stretch Marks" states that stretch mark creams are a "hot topic" in dermatology. Many patients believe that a magic ingredient--cocoa or shea butter, aloe vera, Vitamin E and other plant oils--can effectively prevent and remove stretch marks. Unfortunately, none of these ingredients have been the subject of scientific research to indicate that they have any effect. Cosmetic consumer reviewed Paula Begoun concurs. "Stretch marks are not caused because skin is dry or needs a special supplement," she states...No moisturizer in the world can prevent that kind of injury and damage to the skin from taking place."
Studies
"The Patient's Guide to Stretch Marks" cites a double-blind study conducted using a study group of 175 pregnant women, some of which applied cocoa butter and others a placebo to their breasts, abdomens and thighs. The results of the study, published in the August 2008 edition of "BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology," indicated that there was no difference noted in the development or severity of stretch marks in both groups of women.
So What Is Effective?
Experts at the Mayo Clinic indicate that one stretch mark cream that has the potential to be effective in new marks (less than six-weeks-old) is prescription tretinoin, a topical application generally used to treat acne and wrinkles. In "The Patient's Guide to Stretch Marks," dermatologist Eric F. Bernstein also recommends tretinoin creams, as well as consumer creams that contain alpha-hydroxy acids. "In my opinion, these products combined with topical steroid creams seem to be able to reduce inflammation in the skin and stave off the negative effects of the hormones in the skin causing the stretch marks," Bernstein states.
Other Stretch Mark Treatments
The most efficacious treatment for stretch marks may be in-office treatments provided by your doctor or dermatologist, especially when marks are older. The Mayo Clinic lists the nonablative procedures of pulsed dye laser therapy and fractional photothermolysis as two options to reduce the appearance of stretch marks, as well as microdermabrasion and excimer laser treatments. Stretch marks usually fade or become less noticeable after enough time has passed.
