Stretch marks are a common occurrence that can happen when the skin is stretched rapidly, such as during puberty, pregnancy, or weight gain. They can also be caused by breast implants or augmentation procedures that stretch the skin. Stretch marks are a type of scar that develops when the collagen and elastin in the skin rupture, causing narrow bands to appear on the skins surface.
There are different types of stretch marks, categorized by how long youve had them and their cause. While there are many creams, salves, oils, and other skin ointments that claim to prevent or treat stretch marks, there is little proof that any of these products really work. In studies, neither almond oil, cocoa butter, olive oil, nor vitamin E prevented stretch marks. However, researchers have found that products containing centella or hyaluronic acid may help prevent stretch marks.
Dermatologists use various procedures to make stretch marks less noticeable, but none of these can get rid of stretch marks completely. These procedures include chemical peels, laser therapy, microdermabrasion, radiofrequency, and ultrasound.
If youre looking for home remedies to fade or hide stretch marks, you can try body makeup, self-tanner, or ice to reduce inflammation. However, the most effective way to treat stretch marks is to use specialized creams that contain natural ingredients like avocado peptides, sunflower seed oil, and beeswax, which help heal stretch marks in the deeper layers of the skin while keeping the upper layers soft and supple. One such product is Mustelas Stretch Marks Serum and Body Firming Gel.