Stretch marks are a form of scarring that appear after your skin quickly stretches or shrinks, and they are often caused by pregnancy, weight gain, weight loss, and bodybuilding. Stretch marks typically take between six and 12 months to fade, but with treatment, they often fade faster. However, its important to note that treating stretch marks is difficult, and treatment improves their appearance, but they may not go away completely. Addressing stretch marks when they first appear yields the best results, and older, deep stretch marks may be more challenging to treat. Some treatments and home remedies can fade or hide stretch marks, including:
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Laser skin resurfacing: This treatment uses a laser to remove the outer layer of skin, which stimulates the growth of new skin cells and collagen, improving the appearance of stretch marks.
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Dermabrasion: This treatment involves removing the outer layer of skin with a special tool, which stimulates the growth of new skin cells and collagen, improving the appearance of stretch marks.
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Microneedling: This treatment involves using a device with small needles to create tiny punctures in the skin, which stimulates the growth of new skin cells and collagen, improving the appearance of stretch marks.
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Retinol creams: These creams contain vitamin A, which stimulates the production of collagen and can improve the appearance of stretch marks.
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Body makeup and self-tanner: These products can help hide stretch marks, but tanning wont get rid of stretch marks and can actually make them more noticeable.
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Tretinoin: Creams with tretinoin (Retin-A) contain retinoid, a compound related to Vitamin A. Retinoids increase collagen production and may help fade newer stretch marks, but they can also make your skin red, irritated, or scaly.
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Collagen boosters: StriVectin-SD and lupin seed extracts are both supposed to increase collagen in your skin, but its hard to say if theyll fade or prevent stretch marks.
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Centella asiatica: This herbal oil boosts cells in your body that make collagen and may help improve the appearance of stretch marks.
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Hyaluronic acid: Applying hyaluronic acid to early stretch marks may make them less noticeable.
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Light and laser therapy: These therapies can stimulate collagen production and improve the appearance of stretch marks.
Its important to note that some home remedies, such as cocoa butter, coconut oil, olive oil, and a...