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Stretch marks are a form of scarring that can occur when a person’s skin is overstretched. When they first appear, stretch marks are red or purple streaks on your skin. In time they fade to a white or off white color.

Obesity and pregnancy are the most common reasons for the development of stretch marks. Many people will get stretch marks at one time or another. A large percentage of the population has been overweight or pregnant at some time in their lives! It’s not just women who get stretch marks, either. Few people realize that they are a common complaint of male body builders as well.Fortunately, there are some very effective scientific remedies available to treat stretch marks. Here’s a look at three of the most common ways to deal with this condition.

1. Dermabrasion. This is a type of stretch mark surgery that takes place under general anesthetic. The aim of dermabrasion is to remove or lessen the appearance of scars, damage from the sun or dark spots. The surface of the skin is literally sanded off during this procedure.

Dermabrasion works best when the scar or mark being treated is above the surface of the skin. It’s generally much less effective when used to treat sunken scars. The procedure is very painful and the healing process can take several months. However, the results can be truly amazing.

2. Microdermabrasion. Popularly known as microderm, this treatment is much less invasive. You can easily undergo this procedure at any number of convenient providers, and you won’t need an anesthetic to dull the pain. It involves removing the surface layer of the skin by using a special wand with a roughened surface to lightly sand the skin. People like microdermabrasion because it has a reputation for being a safe, painless procedure.

3. Creams and lotions. The market is overflowing with stretch mark creams and lotions that promise to get rid of your problem. Some people swear by remedies such as Vitamin A cream, cocoa butter or various specially formulated creams.

There are several of these treatments that have scientific evidence showing that they can minimize the look of stretch marks. Some of the more effective treatments for stretch marks are Trilastin, Revitol and NuVectin. Keep in mind that these products are generally more effective at preventing stretch marks than eliminating them.

Use caution, though, because some of these products don’t get rid of stretch marks as effectively as they claim to. Before using any product that claims to eliminate stretch marks, try to find some unbiased customer reviews. Search the internet, and look for sites that aren’t tied to the product being sold. Also, check out the company’s website and try to follow through on any of their claims.