Stretch marks can be caused by many things, including weight loss, weight gain, pregnancy, and growth spurts during puberty. But whatever the cause of your stretch marks, they can make you feel incredibly self-conscious. Making matters worse, stretch marks are a very pesky skin issue. They rarely fade completely on their own. However, if you’re struggling with stubborn stretch marks, know that there are several professional skin care treatments that have been proven to reduce the appearance of stretch marks. And below, we’re going over the three best ones. Read on to learn our top three treatment recommendations for stretch marks.
Top 3 Treatments to Help With Stretch Marks
Stretch marks, also known as striae distensae, are technically a form of scarring. When the skin grows or shrinks rapidly, the dermis can tear, which leaves behind the scars known as stretch marks. Since stretch marks are a type of scarring, the treatments that work best on them are skin treatments that are proven to be effective for reducing scarring.
1. Chemical Peels
Chemical peels can help to reduce scarring on the face or body by removing dead cells and causing new, healthy skin to grow in its place. There are many types of chemical peels, some of which are more superficial (and treat the outer layer of skin only) and some of which penetrate more deeply. The exact type of chemical peel that may work best to reduce your stretch marks can vary depending on their depth or severity.
2. Laser Treatments
Laser therapy treatments are commonly used to treat acne scarring on the face and they can also treat scarring on the body, such as stretch marks. At the Z Center for Cosmetic Health, our laser treatment of choice is the Nano-Ray Laser, which is an excellent option for treating stretch marks. The Nano-Ray Laser removes blemishes and smooths the skin with the application of a specialized type of light energy. This light energy vaporizes water tissue in the skin, which leads to an almost instant removal of many types of skin issues.
One major benefit of the Nano-Ray Laser is that it can help to smooth depressed areas of the skin. While some other scarring treatments mostly reduce discoloration (though they may even depressed areas slightly), the Nano-Ray Laser can dramatically even out the skin. So, the Nano-Ray Laser can be a particularly good option for those who are trying to reduce the appearance of more depressed stretch marks.
3. Microdermabrasion
Microdermabrasion is a simple, quick exfoliating treatment that can reduce skin discoloration and scarring. During a microdermabrasion treatment, the outer layer of your skin is gently exfoliated with a microdermabrasion wand. This removes dead skin cells, increases cell turnover, and promotes collagen and elastin production. With regular microdermabrasion treatments, the appearance of stretch marks can be greatly reduced.
Microdermabrasion is a less intense stretch mark treatment; it’s the most gentle treatment on our list. However, it can be very effective for treating less severe stretch marks and is often ideal for those with sensitive skin types. So, it’s a great option for people who want to try a gentle treatment that can reduce the appearance of mild to moderate stretch marks.
Can Over-the-Counter Stretch Mark Treatments Get Rid of Stretch Marks?
Unfortunately, there are no topical products that have been proven to reduce stretch marks. You may hear people recommend that you use moisturizing products for stretch marks, such as almond oil, olive oil, shea butter, cocoa butter, hyaluronic acid serums, and various types of lotions and moisturizers. You may also hear people suggest that you try retinol, tretinoin, and other vitamin A creams for stretch marks, since these skin care products can boost new collagen production. Then, there are numerous stretch mark creams on the market that claim they can reduce stretch marks. However, there’s no scientific evidence that any of these topical products can reduce stretch marks, nor prevent them.
Note that you may actually prefer how your stretch marks look when your skin is well-hydrated with home remedies or stretch mark creams– using moisturizer on stretch marks is often dermatologist recommended for this reason. Keeping your skin moisturized can help it look smoother, plumper, and healthier. However, hydrating topical products don’t actually reduce stretch marks.
Stretch Mark Treatment in Los Angeles
If you want to reduce your stretch marks, make a consultation appointment at the Z Center for Cosmetic Health today. At your consultation appointment, Dr. Zadeh will examine your stretch marks and create a personalized treatment plan for your unique scarring. Depending on your unique skin, Dr. Zadeh may recommend one treatment or he may recommend that you try a combination approach for maximum stretch mark reduction.