While skin is typically very elastic, rapid weight gain, a history of stretch marks in the family or the use of corticosteroid medicine can increase your changes of getting stretch marks. The Mayo Clinic states that stretch marks are more common in women than men, and most pregnant women experience stretch marks by the end of their third trimester. However, there are some simple cures for stretch marks.
Tretinoin Cream
According to the Mayo Clinic, the topical use of tretinoin cream may help to improve the appearance of newer stretch marks, those that are typically less than 6 weeks old. Tretinoin cream works by rebuilding the collagen in your skin, making the stretch mark more similar to the color of your normal skin.
Microdermabrasion
With microdermabrasion, crystals are blown onto the skin's surface, gently polishing the skin to remove the top layer. A vacuum tube is then used to remove the crystals and skin cells. Microdermabrasion can result in new, more elastic skin growth. This treatment is effective on both newer and older stretch marks.
Maintaining a Health Diet
The best way to not get stretch marks is to maintain a healthy body weight through a balanced diet. While during pregnancy a woman will gain weight over a relatively brief time period, rapidly gaining weight through weight lifting or by poor eating habits will increase the likelihood of getting stretch marks.
Laser Therapy
In laser therapy, nonwounding laser light waves are directed at the stretch marks to help remodel the underlying skin by stimulating growth of collagen and elastin. This treatment is the most effective when stretch marks are new, explains the Mayo Clinic, but it is also effective on older stretch marks.
Time
Nothing works as good as the passage of time. While stretch marks may appear bright red, pink or purple when they initially appear, they will fade to white and start to blend into the rest of your skin over time. At this stage, it is easiest to simply cover them up with body makeup or sunless tanning treatments.
Sunless Tanning Treatments
While sunless tanning lotions and sprays will not cure stretch marks, they will certainly cover them up and help them look less obvious. You can buy body makeup to match your skin tone and make stretch marks practically invisible. Keep in mind that stretch marks are not covered by regular tanning or by using the tanning bed, as they are less likely to tan than the rest of your skin, making them stand out in contrast.
