Stretch Mark Treatments
Laser Surgery
Laser surgery is expensive, not usually covered by insurance, as stretch mark treatment is considered cosmetic in nature. Laser surgery can cause more scarring and or pigment changes. Results of laser surgery effectivness are inconclusive. A doctor must perform laser surgery.
Surgical Skin Resection
This is a procedure that involves surgically cutting out the stretch marks. This is a very costly procedure. This can also require numerous treatments and must be done by a qualified surgeon.
Various stretch mark creams
There are many, many products available that say they reduce stretch marks. Most are ineffective and a waste of money. Few may show some improvement.
Tretinoin is sold as Retin-A. This product can reduce the dark red marks but will not work on older marks or ones that are faded. Nursing moms should not use this medication .
Cocoa butter cannot reach deep enough into the dermal layer to have any affect on the stretch marks. It will however make your skin soft.
The most effective creams contain elastin, collagen, emu oil or liposomes. These ingredients can penetrate the skin and stimulate cell growth to repair the damaged skin of the stretch mark. They are usually safer, and less expensive then the other treatments.
How to tell an effective cream?
Look at the label. By law, most products including stretch mark creams must have the ingredients listed in order of the most ingredient to the least amount of ingredient. If you look at the label and see that water is listed first, then you know that you are paying for a product that is mostly made of water. Look for what the "active" ingredient is, not the fillers.
A good stretch mark treatment must not only have good quality ingredients but also have a good delivery system so that the ingredients get to the dermal layer. An effective delivery system would be: emu oil or liposomes or both. Elastin and collagen are the ingredients.
How to judge who to buy from:
Check out the product to see if it has both good ingredients and a good delivery system.
Does the company have a professional store or Website if the product is sold online? Is there contact information that is easily available?
Are there customer testimonials?
Is there a company product guarantee that involves money back?
Go to mom forums and see what products other moms are recommending. Ask your doctor for a product recommendation.
Are there any trust seals on the Website?
Can you find good feedback from others online regarding the results of the product?
