Stretch Marks

GIRL: Akpos darling, give me a pet name. You know we are in a relationship now.



AKPOS: Zebra girl



GIRL: Why?



AKPOS: Because of your stretch marks.





I found that joke quite funny even though i am a "Zebra Girl". I am on a quest to find the magic potion to get rid of stretch marks. If you have stretch marks, you would know they are one of the hardest things to get rid of.



Stretch marks are often the result of the rapid stretching of the skin associated with rapid growth or rapid weight changes. Stretch marks may also be influenced by hormonal changes associated with puberty, pregnancy, bodybuilding etc.



Stretch marks don't look the same on everyone. The appearance of stretch marks depends on the color of your skin; they can start out pink, reddish brown, brown, or dark brown, and fade over time to a more silvery color.Stretch marks can appear anywhere on the body, but are most likely to appear in places where larger amounts of fat are stored. Most common places are the abdomen (especially near the navel), breasts, upper arms, underarms, back, thighs (both inner and outer), hips, and buttocks. They pose no health risk in and of themselves, and do not compromise the body's ability to function normally and repair itself.



How to Get Rid of Stretch Marks



When stretch marks show up, it's best to treat them as early as possible

Research has focused on the early stages of stretch marks, when they are still red or purple and most readily respond to treatment.Once stretch marks pass the initial stage, when they are red or purple, to the later stages, where they become white or silver -- often with deep indentations -- they are much more challenging to treat.





Moisturizing three or four times a day with products that contain cocoa butter or shea butter as a prime ingredient will help. Using pure shea butter ( ori in yoruba language) is also beneficial.Massage the moisturizer deep into breasts, belly, hips, and buttocks.



Many products claim to "repair" stretch marks. But only a few a work.

Here is a list of ingredients in products which may help in treatment of stretch marks;



Wheat germ oil: There is not much scientific data on whether home remedies for stretch marks, such as wheat germ oil, can help. One recent study did find it helped improve stretch marks in their early phase.



Glycolic acid: Glycolic acid is an alpha hydroxy acid. It most likely works on stretch marks by boosting collagen production. Glycolic acid can also be administered in higher doses by a dermatologist.



Vitamin C: Certain formulations of vitamin C may also increase collagen production and help early-stage stretch marks.For maximum effect, combine with glycolic acid. Vitamin C supplements may also be effective about 500 milligrams three times a day.



Retinoids: Retinoids have been shown to be fairly effective in increasing collagen and elastic production during the early stages. But you should avoid them if you're pregnant or nursing. Retinol, tretinoin, and the prescription medications Differin, Renova, Retin-A, and Tazorac are examples of retinoids.



There are a few options on how to get rid of stretch marks actually. Cosmetic surgery or laser stretch mark removal is one option if you can afford it. Too many risks and costs associated with it.



Most people can get away with stretch mark removal cream. How effective it is depends on your skin. But at the minimum they definitely help reduce sketch mark to a large degree.

Myself personally, I was able to remove some of my sketch marks using creams. It is a slow process but i am making progress.



How do you deal with stretch marks?