Say goodbye to stretch marks
Stretch marks – those unsightly marks on the skin that seem to appear out of nowhere present a real problem for many women. The truth is that stretch marks can be dealt with in a number of different ways, but like anything else, the most effective treatments will require an investment in your skin. But you are definitely worth it.
First a little science. Three layers of skin exist. The epidermis on the outer layer, the dermis or the middle layer and the subcutaneous layer which is the deepest layer. Now it is the dermis that the devious stretch marks attack. The dermis is the layer of skin that is elastic to a point but responsible for giving us our shape. So when the dermis is consistently stretched over time, by either weight gain/loss or pregnancy, the skin becomes less elastic and the connective fibers break. The result is stretch marks.
And they appear anywhere, as they have no discretion. The most common locations are the abdomen, breasts, upper arms, thighs, and buttocks. This means that men too can also get stretch marks, and perhaps you will find this a comforting thought.
So then, what can be done about stretch marks?
Creams and laser surgery are your best friends in the war that you will wage.
With regard to creams, there are nonprescription and prescription formulas. The cream that you use will be determined by how long you have had stretch marks and how patient you are to have the appearance minimized. That’s right, minimized not removed. In local pharmacies, you can try cocoa butter which is about $400.00, or a new cream from Avon called Refine Stretch Mark Smoother that is sold for about $700.00.
Dr Anderson of the Face & Body Clinic tells All Woman, “proper hydration is the best way to help prevent stretch marks. But the earlier they are tackled the better.
“One common treatment is Tretinon in a 1% concentration for mild stretch marks. This cost is about $1,000. However, the effectiveness of this treatment in reducing the appearance of stretch marks will depend on the condition of the patient’s skin.”
Anderson strongly recommends exercise as a helpful means in preventing and dealing with stretch marks.
Dr Alison Nuttall of the Baby Centre Website suggests “Massaging creams, oils, or lotions into the skin, will make it more supple but does not appear to help prevent marks from occurring altogether.” With time the lines will fade. What may look unacceptable to you at first will seem a whole lot better six months later!
“Starting an exercise programme and aiming for a sensible diet will help you feel better about the affected areas of your body,” she advises.
All right, but you can’t wait on creams or exercise. Skin peels, micro dermabrasion and laser resurfacing are other options for treating stretch marks.
“A skin peel can be done in a dermatologist’s office. However, one peel will not be enough. Several visits, every three to four weeks will be required to get the desired look. Each visit will cost about $3,000.00 to $6,000.00,” says Dr Anderson.
“Micro dermabrasion is a process where a machine exfoliates the skin. It is almost like sanding the skin and it makes the stretch marks less visible. This too will not be accomplished in one session. It will take several sessions that cost about $6,000.00 each.”
Dr Anderson stresses that all methods mentioned must remove the outer layer of skin. “Of all the treatments, laser resurfacing does that best,” she says. Available here in Jamaica, it is one of the most expensive treatments, but he declined to give an estimate. He did caution, however that “with black skin, you must be careful. A dermatologist cannot go very deep into the skin with whatever treatment is chosen. If the skin is not handled properly, you run the risk of scarring and hyper pigmentation, which is the darkening of the skin.”
Massaging your skin is also recommended by dermatologists to minimize stretch marks. This should be done with a massage brush or glove to increase circulation, followed by a moisturizing cream to keep the skin supple.
