| Stretch marks, or striae, occur if you gain more than | | | | some cases speed up the growth of new skin cells |
| average weight during your pregnancy or if you have | | | | may help reduce the appearance and number of |
| a family history of stretch marks. Ethnicity makes a | | | | stretch marks when overall body volume is finally lost. |
| difference: African-American women are less likely to | | | | There are, however, ways to try to get rid of stretch |
| get stretch marks. For 50-90% of women, pregnancy | | | | marks. Lasers can be used to fade stretch |
| and stretch marks go hand in hand. Pregnancy stretch | | | | marks.Sometimes, the laser lessens the red scars. |
| marks are also the most common form of stretch | | | | The laser works by burning off the top layers of |
| marks. Even though they are so common, many | | | | scarred skin, with very little pain and no bleeding. |
| women are bothered by them. Luckily there are a | | | | Even though this form of laser treatment of stretch |
| number of ways for you to permanently get rid of | | | | marks is not an industry standard, the technique is |
| your stretch marks after pregnancy, including | | | | definitely gaining in popularity. |
| through plastic surgery. | | | | Procedure Highlights |
| Stretch marks can appear anywhere on your body | | | | The laser stimulates the production of new collagen |
| where skin is stretched, or overstretched. The normal | | | | which results in younger looking skin. It improves the |
| production of collagen gets disrupted and as a result | | | | tone, texture and appearance of skin that has stretch |
| stretch marks appear. They are most likely to appear | | | | marks. The results are long lasting. One session takes |
| in the places where fat is stored – the abdomen, | | | | about 30 minutes. |
| breasts, upper arms, thighs and buttocks. These marks | | | | What can you do about stretch marks? Be patient. |
| are not harmful. These are simply a cosmetic issue, | | | | Your reddish-purplish marks will eventually fade in color. |
| and need to be treated accordingly. | | | | Whether or not the marks disappear has to do with |
| For women who are just recently pregnant, or men | | | | your skin type; the depth of the stretch marks and |
| who are bulk weight training, moisturizers may help | | | | your determination to treat them. If you want a |
| prevent stretch marks. Though nothing is scientifically | | | | barometer of how your body will handle stretch marks, |
| proven, anecdotal evidence supports the idea that | | | | think of how your scars fade. Stretch marks are, in |
| using moisturizers fortified with vitamin A and vitamin E | | | | fact, tiny scars, formed when the lower layers of skin |
| may help prevent stretch marks. Vitamin A and E are, | | | | tear because they don't stretch as fast as upper |
| after all, essential components in the epidermal (skin) | | | | layers of skin. |
| maintenance system. Helping your body regulate and in | | | | |