The Low-Down on Stretch Mark Cream and Treatments:
Do They Really Work?
By Heather R. (c), Spa Sentiments
Stretch mark cream: Your friends, your mom, even your doctor all
say the same thing: "Accept your stretch marks -- they are signs of
life."
Well, that's a nice philosophy. But if you would rather
live without those souvenirs from your pregnancy, you need information
about the wide range of stretch mark creams and treatments out there
and which ones work.
First of all, you should know that
nothing is guaranteed to completely get rid of stretch marks. But there
are ways to reduce their appearance, some better than others. Let's
look at the pros and cons of each:
1. Laser surgery.
Once the great hope for stretch mark removal, laser surgery results are
mixed and inconclusive. In fact, according to Jerome Klein, a New York
City plastic surgeon, laser surgery can in some cases cause more
scarring or pigment changes. Plus, it's expensive and must be performed
by a doctor.
2. Surgical Skin Resection.
This involves surgically cutting out the stretch marks. Some MDs say
it's the only treatment capable of actually removing the marks, but
it's a costly and lengthy procedure. And, like any other surgery, there
is discomfort and risk. It is not recommended for all patients and is
not covered by health insurance.
3. Microdermabrasion uses fine
crystals to abrade the skin surface and stimulate collagen production.
It has been somewhat successful in reducing the appearance of stretch
marks but it requires numerous treatments, must be done by a qualified
doctor, and is expensive.
4. Stretch Mark Creams.
Many products fall into this category, some the modern equivalent of
snake oil, some capable of producing fast and noticeable improvements:
a.
Tretinoin, sold as Retin-A, can help reduce new, dark stretch marks but
won't work on older, faded ones. And it shouldn't be used if
breastfeeding, which rules it out for many new mothers.
b.
Cocoa butter and other over-the-counter skin creams will make your skin
soft but can't reach deeply enough below the surface to repair stretch
marks.
c. Stretch mark creams come in many different
formulations. The most effective ones contain special ingredients such
as elastin, collagen, emu oil and liposomes, which can help penetrate
the skin's layers and work on the damaged skin. Some of these creams
work on both old and new stretch marks, with results visible from a few
weeks to a few months after beginning treatment. They are safer and
easier to use and far less expensive than most other stretch mark
treatment options. The challenge is finding the right cream!
Buying Tips: If you're considering purchasing a cream for stretch marks, look for these features before buying:
-
Check for active ingredients like collagen, elastin, aloe vera gel,
vitamin E and glycolic acid. Also, does the product contain "high"
amounts of these ingredients? (some creams only have enough of an
ingredient to 'legally' be able to say that their cream contains the
ingredient)
- Does the product have a good "delivery" system such as emu oil, liposomes or some other type of effective 'carrier'?
- Rule out stretch mark creams that contain water, which dilutes the product.
- Does
the company have a professional website with access to their contact
information such as their address and phone number? (be leery of
websites that do not provide their contact information)
- Does the company have real user testimonials about the cream?
- Most
importantly, what kind of guarantee does the company offer for the
cream? (be leery of companies that offer you the "moon" - - -
especially if they do not have a "strong" money back guarantee)
________________________________________________________________
Heather
R. is contributing editor with Spa Sentiments, the creators of Stretch
Renew™, a unique cream that helps repair stretch marks and prevent new
ones from forming. Safe and fast acting, it comes with a 120-day money
back guarantee. To learn more about Stretch Renew™, click here: Stretch Renew Stretch Mark Cream
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