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Perhaps you’ve recently given birth, or maybe gained or lost a large amount of weight. Perhaps your skin has stretched out and created ugly stretch marks as a result. Many will tell you that you’ll just have to learn to live with the problem, because there’s no truly effective stretch mark treatment. However, that’s not completely accurate.

There certainly isn’t a guaranteed treatment for stretch marks. However, you can find ways to dramatically improve their appearance so that they’re hardly noticeable.

Your genes will largely determine whether or not you’re likely to get stretch marks. Unfortunately, all the modern technological advances still won’t let you change your DNA. Nevertheless, what you eat can be important in the battle to prevent and treat your stretch marks. Eating specific foods isn’t too likely to actually cause stretch marks. However, substantial weight gain or loss can definitely be a factor. By eating healthily and watching your weight, it’s possible to keep stretch marks from even showing up.

A number of creams, lotions and oils are available that can minimize the appearance of stretch marks. Unfortunately, many of them aren’t particularly effective. Pregnant women faithfully rub oils and creams onto their bellies in the hope of avoiding stretch marks, only to discover that they were inevitable.

Other creams, however, are indeed effective as a stretch mark treatment. Retin-A or alpha hydroxy acids in combination with a steroid cream are an example. They are able to minimize inflammation and keep your skin’s hormones from causing stretch marks. Additionally, they help to restore collagen and elastin and thereby enhance the look and feel of your skin. A prescription is needed in order to obtain these stretch mark products.

Yet another common means of eliminating stretch marks is laser treatments. Although results can vary, doctors have experienced much success with those whose stretch marks are still red in color. The lasers are able to lessen the redness and halt inflammation.

Other ways to rid yourself of stretch marks include plastic surgery, chemical peels and microdermabrasion; however, the outcome isn’t always what you expect. And in the case of plastic surgery for stretch marks, you might be left with scars that are even more noticeable than the stretch marks themselves.

Use this information as a guide and talk to your doctor so that you can figure out which stretch mark treatment is best for you. A specific treatment for stretch marks might be effective for one person, but show no results for someone else. The only way to find out which stretch mark treatment will have the best results for you is to try them yourself.

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