What You Should Know About Stretch Marks
August 9th, 2012Our body is an amazing organic machine that adapts to its environment as well as its diet. But even our bodies need to time in order to do so; stretch marks are what happens when your body’s development overrules its ability to adapt to it.
Stretch marks are a common occurrence in women during pregnancy but it also occurs in men. Rapid weight gain or weight loss can also cause stretch marks as they can stretch the skin. The appearance of stretch marks, when new has a dark red or purple hue and gradually takes a more subtle white to transparent hue after a year. Now it is important in taking note of the color as it can ultimately determine what course of action that you should do in terms of treatment.
Determining Course of Treatment
Again, there are determining factors that could deter or increase your changes of successful treatment. Your age, skin tone and dieting can also impact treatment. Now these means have varying effectiveness and each have their side-effects that you should take note of.
Stretch marks have essentially two types of stages; the treatable stage and the settling stage. The treatable stage has a period of less then a year; as the name suggests, it’s a period that your stretch marks are new and a more responsive to medication. The settling stage on the other hand is the opposite of this; it has healed over time but the marks are still visible. The healing process by your body causes
Over The Counter Medication
The great thing about these types of medication is that they’re accessible. You don’t need to get cleared by your doctor to get treated; you just go to your local pharmacy, find it and pay up. Now what you should be looking are moisturizers as they help with the itching as well as easing its overall look (remember to do your research, read reviews before buying).
Prescription Medication
Although they are not exactly as accessible as over the counter medication, they’re effectiveness more than makes up for it. Tretinoin cream works the same way as moisturizers but to a more effective degree.
Laser Therapy
They are the most expensive in the realm of treatment, but they are by far the most effective forms of treatment. Although they do not necessarily take away the stretch mark, they do make it significantly passable in comparison to topical treatment. it can run you thousands of dollars on repeat visits, but if you’ve got the money and your doctor’s go-ahead, then go for it.
Management
You worst case scenario is letting your stretch marks heal naturally. Now this might seem pretty harmless, it still leaves distinguishable marks – hence the need to treat them before your body fixes it. This is important as stretch marks take years before they completely vanish and they aren’t responsive to topical medication once they hit a certain point of months. So unless you want to pay for laser treatment or therapy, address the problem as soon as it appears.





