Stretch marks, or as they are formally known, striae, are a form of skin scarring that happens when the skin is forced to suddenly expand. This often happens during pregnancy, rapid weight gain, and puberty. Since stretch marks often happen during pregnancy, they are typically thought of as a problem for women, this is however a false perception as stretch marks also affect men.

Stretch marks are formed when the dermis, which is a middle layer of the skin that maintains shape and elasticity, is stretched more than it can bear. Fibers in the skin break, which will halt production of collagen and cause scarring. Typically these scars will only disappear by stretch mark removal techniques. In the following, issues regarding how to remove stretch marks will be reviewed.

Removing Stretch Marks with Natural Methods

Natural methods to remove stretch marks are generally not effective. They include creams, lotions, and diet and exercise strategies supposed to aid in healing the skin. The positives with natural methods to remove stretch marks are that they are cheaper and less invasive than laser or surgical techniques. Some natural products may slightly improve the appearance of stretch marks, however the more invasive methods are often the only effective way to completely remove stretch marks.

Removing Stretch Marks with Surgical Methods

Generally the most effective, but also by far the most invasive, surgical stretch mark removal is thought of as the conventional method available. The technique simply consists of removing the areas with stretched skin. The technique is effective, but also carries more risk and longer recovery time than other options available.

Removing Stretch Marks with Laser Procedures

Much more effective than natural methods and much less invasive than surgical methods, laser stretch mark removal is a minor surgical procedure with very low risks of adverse side effects. A laser is used to remove the areas of the skin marred by stretch marks, when the old skin is gone, new skin grows to replace it. Usually the treatment must be carried out several times before the stretch marks have been eliminated. Still, it can be considered a relatively fast reduction of stretch marks. Incidence of adverse side effects are very rare, and when they happen, they are temporary and relatively minor.

Conclusion

If you are serious about having your stretch marks removed it is highly advisable to consult a specialist. Many options are available, and you need to establish good communication with the specialist and find out which method is most suitable for you. Finding a specialist with whom you feel comfortable, will also help you realize what is realistic to expect from your procedure. You do not have to live with your stretch marks, nowadays many methods exist to remove them, some of them even combining effectiveness with minimal recovery time and minimal risk of adverse side effects.