How to Get Rid of Stretch Marks Permanently
There are a number of factors that can lead to the appearance of stretch marks---white, pink, reddish or purplish streaks of indented skin that most commonly appear on the abdomen, breasts, hips and thighs in women, and on the shoulders and chest in men. Pregnancy and weight gain are the most common causes of stretch marks. Unfortunately, there is no way to get rid of stretch marks permanently, but there are several ways that you can make them less noticeable and virtually disappear. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
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Meet with a dermatologist to discuss your stretch marks. Depending on how long you have had stretch marks, you may have different options available. Your dermatologist will also want to make sure you understand that there is no way to make stretch marks completely disappear.
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Contact your insurance provider to find out what, if any, treatments are covered by your plan. Because stretch mark removal is considered a cosmetic procedure, it is not covered by most insurance plans.
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Try a non-invasive treatment first. If your stretch marks are new, ask your dermatologist to prescribe a Tretinoin cream---it will build new collagen and reduce the appearance of your stretch marks. (Note that products containing Tretinoin are not safe for pregnant or breastfeeding women.) If your stretch marks are older, plan to undergo microdermabrasion to remove the top layer of skin, making your stretch marks less visible.
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Try pulsed dye laser therapy if you are not satisfied with the results of your non-invasive treatments. Pulsed dye laser treatments stimulate the growth of new skin cells, improving your skin's elasticity and minimizing the contrast between your stretch marks and the rest of your skin. This laser works best on new stretch marks.
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Try excimer laser therapy. This laser affects your body's production of melatonin, altering your skin's pigment to reduce the contrast between stretch marks and the surrounding skin. It works best on older, whitish stretch marks.
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Tips & Warnings
In many cases, stretch marks fade and become less noticeable over time. Patience may provide the same results as medical intervention.
In some rare cases, numerous stretch marks can be an indicator of a serious medical condition, such as Cushing's syndrome or an adrenal gland disease.
