The Different Kinds of Treatment for Stretch Marks

Stretch marks can be very unflattering, and for many people, they can make them have low self-image or self-esteem.

There are many different types of treatment for stretch marks that you can take advantage of to prevent them from appearing or decrease their visibility.

Over-the-counter creams are probably the most popular treatment for stretch marks. Because they are generally inexpensive and are available at most stores, the accessibility of stretch mark creams are the first things people try. Also, the ease of use is why people turn to creams for treatment for stretch marks, because it only requires applying it to the skin. These creams contain ingredients such as Vitamin E and cocoa butter which are very healthy for the skin. But, the over-the-counter creams only treat the outside layer of the skin, and the middle of skin needs to be treated for a significant difference in appearance. These stretch mark solutions do help a little with minimizing stretch mark appearance, but are not as effective as other methods of treatment for stretch marks.

There are also a number of home remedies passed down generation to generation that, like the over-the-counter- creams, only require you to apply it to your skin for treatment for stretch marks. It may be a little more expensive buying all of the ingredients so, if you're light on cash, the creams will also work. Extra virgin olive oil, aloe vera gel, Vitamin E, Vitamin A, cocoa butter, and Vitamin K are the most common ingredients in these remedies. Since they contain essential vitamins and oils, they do help a little with the appearance of the stretch marks.

There are also stretch mark solutions that require some cosmetic surgery. Laser surgery is one of the most common surgical ways for treatment for stretch marks. With laser surgery, the surgeon uses the laser to remove the layers of skin affected with the scars, and new skin tissue is formed. But, this treatment for stretch marks is mostly effective on new stretch marks, which are still purplish in color.

Chemical peels are also used as a stretch mark solution. The chemicals cause the skin to blister and remove the damaged outer layers by the skin peeling. These procedures can be expensive and can have serious complications that are worse than the stretch marks. So, picking a qualified and recommended doctor is very important if you're going that route.

Another choice for treatment of stretch marks is mesotherapy. Mesotherapy is a non-surgical medicine treatment in which the doctor injects various vitamins, pant extracts, and homeopathic medications right into areas of fat. This procedure eliminates fat deposits, cellulite, and promotes weight-loss, which help reduce stretch marks from forming.

The best way to control stretch mark formation and help the treatment for stretch marks process is diet and exercise. When you have a balanced diet, you are giving your skin everything it needs to remain healthy, and healthy skin helps diminish and prevents stretch marks. Also, drinking lots of water keeps your skin elastic, which means it can go back to its natural state easily. Keeping you body fit from exercise also promotes healthy skin.

The best way to make sure that you are choosing the right treatment for stretch marks is to consult with your doctor. Your doctor will choose what's best the best treatment for stretch marks for you. Getting your doctor's advice is very important especially if you're pregnant. 

Using Cocoa Butter for Stretch Mark Treatment

If you have been pregnant or just carrying around a little extra weight, It is a fantastic feeling when you finally lose it; however it may also bring about the appearance of unattractive stretch marks.  These marks tend to draw unwanted attention to the affected area of the body making the person suffering from them extremely self conscious and uncomfortable. The damage of the collagen in the dermal layers of the skin leads to the appearance of stretch marks.  Cocoa butter for stretch marks is one of the many treatment options you can choose from.

Cocoa butter is made from liquor chocolate and cocoa beans. Cocoa butter for stretch marks is obtained though using a brima process. Heat and gravity is used on the cocoa beans to separate the butter from them. The end product is then concentrated with fat and natural anti-oxidants, which are all fantastic when used to keep the skin nourished and looking youthful. Creams and lotions which contain cocoa butter are also great because they don't cost the earth. In fact a lot of good stretch mark removal creams use cocoa butter as an essential ingredient.

A great thing about cocoa butter for stretch marks, is that it is also acting as a moisturizer and can be used all over your body, not just the affected areas. It is fantastic on dry skin; it smoothes marks and tones the skin. Cocoa butter works best at skin temperature and penetrates deep into the different layers for great results.
 

A great recipe to make your own stretch mark cream using cocoa butter is:

• 1/2 cup cocoa butter
• 1 Tablespoon wheat germ oil
• 1 Teaspoon apricot kernel oil
• 1 Teaspoon Vitamin E oil
• 2 Teaspoon grated beeswax

Heat mixture until beeswax is just melted.  Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.  Apply this cream to your stretch marks until desired results are achieved. (source: http://www.allaboutstretchmarks.com/homeremedies.htm)

Using cocoa butter for stretch marks is an excellent choice if you are looking to reduce marks you already have, prevent new ones from appearing and even just moisturizing your whole body.

Simple Tips To Prevent Stretch Marks

It is much easier to prevent stretch marks than what it is to get rid of them once they appear.  
It is important to know that there is no guarantee that you won’t get them especially if you are pregnant. During pregnancy around 90% of women will develop stretch marks at some stage. Puberty, times of sudden weight gain and or sudden weight loss are also times stretch marks are very common.

Preventing Stretch Marks During Pregnancy
The most common cause of stretch marks is pregnancy. It is a good idea to prepare your body early for pregnancy, however if you are pregnant it is never to late to start, The  following home remedy ideas will help to prevent stretch marks and keep you and your unborn child healthy:
  1. Make sure you are eating a balanced diet, this will is not only essential for keeping your skin nice and healthy but will give your baby all of the nutrients it needs to grow.
  2. Water, Water, Water – By drinking enough water you are keeping your skin hydrated and healthy, which will in turn help make your skin more elastic and reduce the chance of breakage as your tummy grows.
  3. Try to gain weight at a steady rate whilst you are pregnant, this can be very hard to control, this also means preventing stretch marks can be more difficult during this time.
  4. People always talk about eating for two when pregnant which is not something you need to do, you only need around 500 more calories a day when pregnant.

Use the following as a general rule of how much weight you should gain whilst you are pregnant:
   1. First trimester  (first 12 weeks) – around 2-4 lb over that time
   2. Second Trimester  (weeks 12-28) – about 10 -14 oz a week
   3. Third Trimester  (weeks 28 – 40) – between 2-6 lb a week
If at any time during your pregnancy you are worried about how much weight you are or are not gaining always seek professional medical advice.

Preventing Stretch Marks with Moisturizers and Lotions
There are many different lotions and moisturizers made especially to help prevent stretch marks when you are pregnant as well as for people who are not pregnant.
When the dermis layer of skin breaks this allows the underlying layer to show through creating a stretch mark. To try to prevent this from happening it is very important to keep this layer of skin as supple and soft as possible. Moisturizers and creams designed to fight stretch marks have many nourishing ingredients for this very purpose.

An excellent example of a stretch mark cream is Dermology, which does also offer a free trial so you can see if it is the right option for you. Using vitamins A, E and D3, this cream will help your skin to regenerate. The natural ingredients in the cream will help to stop scars from forming and if you combine this with a daily massage you will be ensuring great circulation and elasticity to ward off stretch marks.

It is very important that you use anti-stretch mark creams, at least once a day. This helps make sure that you skin is in great condition, if stretch marks do happen to appear looking after your skin will help them to disappear as quickly as possible.

Preventing stretch marks is not guaranteed. Sometimes not matter what you do they may still appear, there will however always be ways to help reduce their severity, if and when they do occur. The best thing to do is find what works for you, be it just a cream or a combination of cream and massage or even something totally different, you may need to try a few different things before you find the ideal method for you.