Stretch marks happen when the skin becomes overstretched. This happens in the dermis layer of the skin, starting out with pink / purple marks which slowly fade in colour.

There are a number of different reasons why stretch marks occur:

• The most common reason is pregnancy,
• It can also happen due to fast or excessive weight gain,
• And commonly happens during puberty.

Though the marks will fade over time, they always retain a certain appearance and visibility. This is what has led many women to ask whether there is a stretch mark cure.

Finding ways to reduce the look of stretch marks can really help women to feel more confident about their bodies.

This hub will go through the various different treatment options for stretch marks - while there is still confusion as to whether a cure exists, there is still a lot you can do.

There are a number of creams on the market claiming to be a stretch mark cure. Whilst many of these state they are best for prevention of stretch marks, they can also be used for treatment once stretch marks have already occurred.

These creams are a popular treatment option for women who want to avoid surgery but still want a way of improving their self-confidence.

Results show that stretch mark creams can have a noticeable and lasting results if used regularly. However, you should always do your own research and read reviews online before deciding to use such a cream.

You should also combine creams with methods such as keeping your skin as healthy as possible, by drinking lots of water and maintaining a balanced diet - as well as using preventative measures to stop more stretch marks from forming.

Your first option is laser surgery - which is becoming more and more popular as a way of filling the stretch mark. It is often more successful, but a lot more expensive, than stretch mark cream. It usually requires a number of sessions and investment.

The next option is cosmetic surgery. This is the only real stretch mark cure. It removes the skin that has been damaged by stretch marks to make them disappear. However, this will be a serious operation which is why many women choose not to opt for this. It's a personal decision and also depends on your finances.

In some cases medications are used to treat stretch marks. They work by removing damaged areas of skin. These medications are known as retinoids and have shown to be effective as a stretch mark cure in many women. However, they are not always suitable as they can cause skin irritation. These medications should only be taken under supervision of a doctor.

This is just a brief overview of the stretch mark cure options out there. Remember it is a personal decision as well as one that should be made after doing extensive research and understanding all possible risks and side effects.