How to Get Rid of Stretch Marks Forever

Stretch marks are scars which occur on the skin after periods of rapid body growth. Essentially, the skin is stretched over the growing body part, causing it to scar. Stretch marks may occur on any piece of skin, but they are most commonly seen on the stomach, chest, back, upper arms, thighs, and buttocks. There are many things you can do to get rid of stretch marks. If you wish to get rid of them forever, you must avoid future rapid body growth in order to prevent scarring the skin again.

Things You'll Need

• Scar treatment cream
• Massage
• Sunscreen
• Retin-A
• Dermatologist
• Laser treatment

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Instructions

• 1

  Maintain a steady weight. If you want to get rid of stretch marks, you must take steps to ensure they don't come back. Avoid weight gain in order to prevent skin from stretching. If you anticipate you will get pregnant, it's best to hold off on stretch mark treatments until after your pregnancy.

• 2

  Apply a scar treatment cream to your stretch marks. Since stretch marks are essentially scars, any applicable treatment cream will work. Many are available over-the-counter. Many types also contain onion extract which has been shown to fade scars with regular application. Know that you must apply such creams twice daily for at least 6 weeks before you see results.

• 3

  Massage your stretch marks. This will improve circulation, thereby helping blood and nutrients to reach the scarred skin. With increased blood flow, the area will be able to heal itself more efficiently. Massage the marks for 1 to 2 minutes multiple times per day.

• 4

  Talk to your doctor about Retin-A creams. Retin-A encourages skin cell regeneration, meaning new skin cells will be more rapidly produced to replace your damaged cells. Your skin may be more sensitive while you use Retin-A creams.

• 5

  Wear sunscreen. The sun's rays can darken stretch marks, making them appear more noticeable. In addition, your skin can't heal itself properly if it is further damaged by UV rays. Apply sufficient sunscreen to your stretch marks. For more complete protection, wear protective clothing over the area.

• 6

  Get laser treatments. Laser light effectively removes stretch marks. The light breaks up the pigment in the stretch marks, helping them to blend in with surrounding skin. Lasers also improve collagen levels and aid in cell regeneration, helping your skin to look smoother and younger. Generally, a series of laser treatments are required in order to achieve desired results.