Stretch marks are scars that map someone’s history and showcase the challenges they’ve faced. As they’re caused by rapid growth and weight gain, they’re common among mothers and those who have gained and lost weight.
While some people can embrace their stretch marks and celebrate their body’s accomplishments, others are self-conscious about them. If you fall into the latter group, there are a few things you can do to minimize their appearance and regain your confidence.
Here are five ways to get rid of stretch marks.
Nourish From the Outside In
There are many topical treatments you can apply to your stretch marks to help reduce their appearance. By nourishing the skin, you’ll improve cellular regeneration and elasticity.
When trying to deal with stretch marks, create a skincare routine that targets those areas. Exfoliate the area to remove dead skin cells that could act as a barrier to absorption. Apply nourishing lotion or oil that’s rich in collagen and vitamin E. These nutrients stimulate healing and can revitalize the skin in that area.
Nourish From the Inside Out
In addition to applying nourishment to the target area, what you put into your body will have a lot of impact on your skin’s ability to heal. If you’re just starting to get stretch marks now, it’s not too late to start nourishing your body from the inside out.
Focus on getting adequate hydration, as drinking water will help improve your skin’s suppleness and elasticity. Consider taking collagen supplements to help promote the development of this protein within the body. Reassess your diet to ensure you’re eating nutritious food with lots of vitamins and minerals while cutting out processed foods that contribute to weight gain.
Use Microdermabrasion
Microdermabrasion is an exfoliating skin treatment that is more effective than what you can do at home with a store-bought product. In this painless procedure, exfoliating crystals are applied to your stretch marks and worked in with a wand-like apparatus. This deep form of exfoliation is meant to stimulate collagen and elastin production in the target area.
The effectiveness of this treatment depends on the severity of your stretch marks. It generally takes a few treatments to start seeing results. When paired with a healing diet and skincare routine, microdermabrasion can drastically reduce the size of stretch marks.
Invest in Laser Treatment
Laser treatment is a more invasive approach to dealing with stretch marks. A dermatologist does this process, using a laser that targets the tissue within, penetrating the first layer of your skin.
The laser triggers healing in that area by stimulating pigment cells. While the texture of your stretch marks might remain the same, the regeneration of pigment cells will cause the shade to blend with your regular skin tone rather than their typical silvery appearance.
Like microdermabrasion, the success of this treatment is contingent on the number of sessions you endure. The nature of your stretch marks also plays a role in your success.
Invest in Microneedling
Microneedling uses needles to target the middle layer of your skin and operates similarly to the laser approach. The needles create small wounds that signal healing cells to come to the area and increase collagen and elastin production.
Many people with darker skin tones find microneedling to be an effective treatment for their stretch marks. As this process can be painful and often takes multiple sessions, it’s not for everyone.
Dealing with Stretch Marks
Other than having skin removal surgery, which isn’t always possible, these are the best ways to reduce the appearance of stretch marks.
It’s important to note that some people are genetically predisposed to stretch marks. By protecting your skin from the sun and ensuring it’s adequately nourished and hydrated, you reduce the risk of stretch marks developing.
Ashley Lipman is a content marketing specialist originally from Miami, Florida. Ashley is an award-winning writer who discovered her passion for providing creative solutions for building brands online. Since her first high school award in Creative Writing, she continues to deliver awesome content through various niches.