It is terrible to develop stretch marks after gaining weight or going through a pregnancy. They are never pretty, and they will stay there on your skin long after weight has been lost or a baby has been born. When they are new, their color is usually bright pink or red, and then fade away to a whitish color that matches with the skin color, though not completely. They are even noticeable when you tan your skin as they will not tan like the rest of the skin. Those who live with them feel very self-conscious and wonder if they can do something about getting rid of these streaks.
You won’t have to worry about how to remove stretch marks if you can learn to avoid them. This is not always possible, but there are some things that can help. People usually don’t notice weight gain fast enough to stop them from forming, but someone who is expecting a child has notice. There are some who say a simple lotion applied to the stomach each day can help avoid the skin from stretching too quickly. The lotion keeps the skin supple and it may stretch without the marks. Cocoa butter lotion is often recommended, but remember, it won’t work for everyone. It certainly is worth a shot though.
Some treatment creams claim to help get rid of stretch marks. Most of them can reduce the appearance of stretch marks, but not all of them can remove them completely. The skin that has been stretched is scarred in a way, and most scars can not be removed without surgery. Even then, they may not completely disappear. There are some who offer surgery to remove stretch marks, but you may want to ask about expected results before you go in so you know what to expect and so that you won’t be totally disappointed.
Though it might not be possible for a total stretch mark removal, or to avoid them to begin with, the good news is that they usually happen in areas that are often covered by clothing. This won’t help someone who wants to wear a bikini, but for most day to day meetings with others, no one will really know they are there. They are often a matter of self-esteem, but there are certainly worse problems a person could have. Some see them as a badge of honor after having children, but most want to be rid of them with stretch mark cream or surgery.