Choosing The Best Skin Care Product For Stretch Marks

While there are a number of skin care products on the market claiming to treat stretch marks, do any of them really work and are there any unwanted side effects associated with using them?

Both questions are necessary to address before deciding on a program to follow. And as with most things in life, the ways to handle these markings caused by excessive stretching of the skin vary significantly.  Your ultimate decision will be based on how much the condition bothers you as well as your available budget.

Advanced treatment options available include professional procedures designed to significantly reduce the appearance of stretch marks.  Such choices include laser treatments and dermabrasion.  Both can be costly and too extreme for the average person who just wants to improve the appearance of her skin after pregnancy, for instance.

Prescription treatments are also available from your dermatologist for severe or aged stretch marks.  Retin-A and Tretinoin are two popular ingredients in prescribed creams and can produce good results on skin imperfections.  While effective, these remedies can be expensive and most insurance plans do not cover cosmetic related expenses.

Cost effective solutions for treating strechmarks can be obtained with over the counter creams.  Studies have shown skin care products containing Darutoside or Registril to produce good results in many cases.  There are many oils and creams available for both prevention and removal suitable for many skin types and conditions.

Of course, good old cocoa butter is sometimes all that is needed to minimize stretch mark appearance and color and also serves as a good preventative treatment.  Taking care of your skin through proper moisturizing and exfoliation will go a long way toward improving the skin’s appearance.  

Homemade remedies can sometimes help newer markings when used soon enough.  One favorite treatment includes using an oatmeal-based mixture.  In all cases, proper skin hydration is a necessary component of keeping skin healthy and free from these types of markings.

Choosing the proper treatment for your stretch marks is largely a personal decision based upon budgetary considerations and the amount of distress caused by these skin discolorations.  Generally speaking, stretch marks are not harmful and are usually considered a cosmetic concern.