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Topical Treatments for Stretch
Marks
Sunless tanning treatments – For a quick, temporary solution, over the
counter sunless tanning creams or spray on tans from salons can cover up
stretch marks. Regular tanning by the sun will not cover up stretch
marks because stretch marks are scars, and scars do not tan easily.
Body Makeup – Another quick, temporary solution is body makeup that is
the same color as your skin tone. This can be used anytime you want to
cover your stretch marks for one day. It is not a good choice if you
will be going into the water, however, because it washes away easily.
Vitamin E-oil – Vitamin E-oil is good for healing problems on the skin.
It can be used to reduce the appearance of stretch marks.
Over the Counter Creams – There are many creams on the market that are
sold to specifically reduce stretch marks. One of the more common creams
is Palmer’s Cocoa Butter which many women use during and after
pregnancy.
Alpha Hydroxy Acids – (AHA’s) These creams moisturize the top layer of
skin. This helps the regeneration of cells by helping to eliminate the
top layer of skin. When the top layer is gone, healthier cells are able
to surface. The AHA’s can now be absorbed more easily. Skin flexibility
increases and this helps reduce the appearance of stretch marks.
Tretinoin Cream (also known as Retin A) – Tretinoin cream is available
by prescription. It is topically applied directly onto to the outer
layer of skin where stretch marks appear. Studies have shown that this
cream helps to reduce the size and appearance of stretch marks.
Like AHA’s, tretinoin cream removes dead cells on the top layer of skin.
Then it is able to penetrate to the second layer of skin where stretch
marks happen. It increases the collagen in the skin so the skin appears
better.
A note on topical treatments – Many of the topical skin treatments
contain steroids. The prolonged use of these treatments can cause other
skin problems such as thickening of the skin. Always check with your
doctor before using topical skin treatments that contain steroids for a
prolonged period of time.
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