Exploring Treatments To Reduce Or Remove Stretch Marks

Stretchmarks are completely fine, we all get them at some point in our lives, but it’s totally up to us to decide whether we’re going to embrace them or disguise them. If you choose the latter, then there are a few methods that can help!

Stretchmarks are completely normal and they happen because our skin is stretching too quickly. The stretching causes our collagen fibers to tear, and when it heals, we’re left with these lines that can make our skin look rippled.

Now there is no cure for stretch marks, and you can’t make them disappear completely, but there are a few remedies that can help reduce their appearance. So here are some ways to help reduce the appearance of stretch marks.

1. Using A Retinol Cream

Retinol creams can stimulate collagen production, reducing the appearance of stretch marks as the skin gets thicker. Creams like the Chantecaille Retinol Body Treatment are spiked with retinol, but it also adds hydration to your skin, so you don’t have to fret about itchiness!

To make your retinol cream work better, you can also try dry brushing your skin. Before hopping in the shower, just a quick dry brush can help remove any dead skin cells and make it easier for the retinol to penetrate your skin!

2. Use Antioxidants To Brighten The Skin

You can also try using creams with antioxidants like vitamin E and C. When these antioxidants are combined with retinol’s ability to aid your collagen production, it can brighten your skin and reduce the appearance of darker colored stretch marks!

Paula's Choice Retinol Skin-Smoothing Body Treatment contains both antioxidants and retinol, so you don’t have to worry about combining products on your skin. Just one product with it all!

3. Using A Hyaluronic Acid

Hyaluronic acid can help plump your skin up, which is especially helpful when your stretchmarks cause a rippling in the skin. In addition, using a hyaluronic body serum like the Nécessaire The Body Serum can help combat any of the textural issues you might experience with stretch marks!

4. Conceal Them With A Tanner

You can conceal your stretch marks with a self-tanner. Just like makeup, your tanner can make your stretch marks disappear; just be careful when using it with white or lighter clothing!

5. Microdermabrasion Therapy

Microdermabrasion therapy can reduce acne scars, but it can also help reduce the appearance of stretch marks. Removing the top layer of skin helps stimulate new skin cell production, but it is one of the more expensive treatments!

6. Pulse Dye Laser Therapy

Pulse dye laser therapy helps stimulate collagen production and can reduce the appearance of your stretch marks. However, it’s a bit heavy on the pocket because it can take up to 20 treatments to see an improvement in the appearance of your stretch marks!

7. Platelet-Rich Plasma Therapy

PRP therapy uses platelet cells taken from your blood before the procedure. The platelets are then injected into your stretch marks, where they’ll stimulate cell growth.

They’ll then reduce the appearance of your stretch marks. However, research on the procedure shows that PRP therapy might work better when combined with ultrasound therapy, and being a medical procedure, it’s going to be a bit more expensive!

8. Plastic Surgery

Skin removal surgery will only benefit those who have excess skin following a pregnancy or weight loss. The stretchmarks are then removed with the excess skin, so it’s not specifically a stretchmark solution; it’s more of a benefit gained from removing the excess skin!

Some of these solutions are expensive, so they might be impossible to do. However, stretch marks are natural, so if you embrace them instead of hiding them, you can help break the stigma against stretch marks and feel more confident in your body!