Although there are many different sources of stretch marks, they’re a very common condition. In fact, approximately ninety-percent of the population has stretch marks. You can take some comfort in knowing that you’re not alone in having stretch marks, but that certainly doesn’t mean you want to keep them!

What Causes Stretch Marks?

Stretch marks can appear whenever your skin is stretched by rapid weight gain, pregnancy and extreme weight loss. They occur when your skin is stretched past the point of being able to hold its shape. Men and women alike get stretch marks, and they are usually found on the tummy, hips, thighs, upper arms, waist, and breasts.

Another common cause of stretch marks in men is from bodybuilding. With the large increase of lean mass, the skin is stretched out rapidly, leaving marks behind.

It’s important to realize that stretch marks are scars, so they are difficult to remove. Usually stretch marks start out as red or purple streaks, but with time, they will fade into white or silver. There are lots of treatment options out there for stretch marks, but depending on your age and overall health – some options may not work as well as others.

Use Moisturizer to Remove Stretch Marks

Using a moisturizer daily can help your skin retain elasticity and it’s ability to heal itself. Cocoa butter is a commonly recommended moisturizer during pregnancy and after pregnancy. This is because cocoa butter can help your skin to heal itself, soften your skin, and it will help reduce the appearance of your stretch marks. Moisturizers which have high vitamin A, E and/or C contents will help your skin as well because the nutrients they contain are considered essential to healthy skin.

Control Your Weight and Stay Hydrated

Keeping weight under control and drinking plenty of water is also essential for good skin health. Another added benefit of controlling your weight is that it can help prevent stretch marks from worsening or from having new ones appear. In some cases, just an increase in water consumption can reduce the appearance of stretch marks. This is because hydrated bodies equal hydrated, healthy skin. Staying hydrated can help your skin improve its appearance, and will help it stay soft and retain its elasticity.

Proper Circulation

Keeping your body’s circulation at an optimal level will also help prevent new stretch marks or scars, and will help reduce the appearance of old ones. This is because when circulation in your body is working properly, it increases blood flow, and helps to promote tissue growth and the body’s healing abilities. Vitamins E, B1, B3 and C are all known for helping to improve circulation and maintain optimal blood flow.

Skin Bleaches

Skin bleaches, such as peroxide and lemon juice, can also help to reduce the appearance of stretch marks. This is because of the acidic content and bleaching properties of these items. These will help your stretch marks to fade in color, and help them to blend into the rest of your skin. These items work in the same way that certain acids do, and with a less harsh effect to your skin.

Alpha hydroxy acids, salicylic acids and retinoids are very common ingredients in both over-the-counter stretch mark creams and also prescription creams. These are common skin care ingredients in general, due to their chemical peel effects. Acids and retinoids are well-known for their skin exfoliating and regenerating properties. It’s important to use these products under the guidance of your physician or a dermatologist. These products can cause skin irritation, and even allergic reactions – but they can be effective in removing or reducing the appearance of stretch marks. It’s always a good idea to test them on a small part of your skin and see if you have any adverse reactions over the course of 24-48 hours.

Surgical Procedures

There are other options out there besides the basic “home remedies” and self-care previously mentioned, but keep in mind that they are expensive. There are surgical procedures that will remove stretch marks. One of these is laser surgery, in which a laser is used to remove smaller, “surface” stretch marks by removing the skin’s outer layers. Another, more intense surgical method of stretch mark removal is microdermabrasion – this is where the skin’s outer and upper surfaces are scraped with a “micro-knife” or blade, this is done to promote the skin’s outer layer to grow new, undamaged skin.

Insurance Coverage for Stretch Marks

Insurance doesn’t usually cover any type of stretch mark removal or surgeries, because it is a cosmetic procedure – but you can always talk to your physician to see what, if anything is covered. And you should always follow your physician’s advice or discuss your stretch marks with a plastic surgeon or dermatologist before trying any treatment.