How to Seal Stretch Marks

Stretch marks often emerge across the belly of a pregnant woman as the skin is stretched.

Common with pregnancy or a great deal of weight change, stretch marks can cause an individual discomfort with the appearance of their body and even lower self-esteem. The marks begin as red thin skin in lines, often around the hips, stomach or breasts, that fade and whiten over time. Treating, or sealing, the blood vessels that are broken within the stretch marks will not eliminate their appearance but can aid in minimizing them.

Things You'll Need

• Moisturizing oils, such as coconut
• Carrot seed oil
• Alpha hydroxy acid lotion
• Prescription steroid or retinoid cream

Instructions

1. Prevent stretch marks before they appear as part of your treatment routine, if you are prone to them. If you are going through a growth spurt, pregnant, or on a weight loss or gain routine, rub natural moisturizing oils over your body in the areas that are expanding.

2. Apply carrot seed oil every evening before going to bed, as it improves elasticity within the skin. This is a natural alternative to prescribed medications or over-the-counter creams for sealing stretch marks.

3. Make an appointment with your doctor to discuss prescription steroid or retinoid creams. These are only accessible through prescription and, in extreme cases, are the best option for sealing stretch marks.

4. Purchase over-the-counter alpha hydroxy acid lotion and apply it in small quantities daily, according to the manufacturer's directions, in order to seal the marks.

5. Consider treating the marks with laser therapy if they are not responding to conventional treatments. This will give the best appearance back to the skin and seal the stretch marks. However, it can be an expensive option.

Tips & Warnings

• Prevention is key to stretch-mark treatment.

• Apply treatments as soon as the marks begin to show. The older the marks are, the less likely they are to respond to treatments.

• Avoid exposure to the sun, as it can worsen the look of the marks.

References

• University of Maryland Medical Center: Striae Overview
• Truth in Aging: Stretch Mark Solutions for New Moms
• Shine: Four Solutions to Solve Your Stretch Mark Issues
• Good Housekeeping; "Can You Prevent or Treat Stretch Marks?"; Charmaine Gillespie