Stretch mark removal creams

Stretch marks are scars. You can't get rid of them. Losing weight brings your epidermis closer together (less stretching) so the marks get "thinner" and some cases lighter.
There are cremes that camouflage them, but they are of course just temporary. Topicals are just meant for temporary coverup anyway.

A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
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Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

Yeah, much like wrinkle creams, they don't really work (dammit). There are products that make your skin feel firmer, but fading stretch marks or scars? Nada. Sorry.

I've had them since I was 12, and they're still there despite years of trying creams and potions. I find they're less visible in the summer when I'm tan, but I don't know of a way to remove them beyond laser treatments.

Your body is not ruined; you're a goddam tiger who earned her stripes! And you're fierce! Mine have faded over time, they used to be purple and I hated them but now they are light colored and I don't even pay attention anymore. Mine seem less noticeable when I'm tan too. The healthier I get, the more confident I feel and the less I care.

RenaTX wrote: »

Have you read about microneedling / microrollers ? If you don't mind some pain it may be helpful.

I just wanted to throw that out there in case it's something you would be interested to know and read up on. I use one but I do not have use mine for scars however when I first started researching them and the process it was receiving great reviews on acne scars and stretch marks.

You can have this done professionally but you can also buy microneedle rollers on Amazon. I use one on my face after doing the research and watching youtube videos.

Just a word of caution that if you do decide to try it yourself only perform it once every 4 - 6 weeks so and it can hurt.

Just throwing that out there for you to research and decide.

Those don't work. They cause acute inflammation that hides stretch marks and wrinkles and plumps up skin for a short period. Most places that do it use hyaloronic acid to help the device glide over the skin. The needles push the HA into the dermis. The HA is hydrophilic and draws water into the dermis, making it thicker and more even over scars.

Basically, it's technologically advanced smoke and mirrors.

Laser treatments produce underwhelming results. I don't know of a single reputable physician in the U.S. who offers laser for stretch marks because they just don't work.

pollypocket1021 wrote: »

RenaTX wrote: »

Have you read about microneedling / microrollers ? If you don't mind some pain it may be helpful.

I just wanted to throw that out there in case it's something you would be interested to know and read up on. I use one but I do not have use mine for scars however when I first started researching them and the process it was receiving great reviews on acne scars and stretch marks.

You can have this done professionally but you can also buy microneedle rollers on Amazon. I use one on my face after doing the research and watching youtube videos.

Just a word of caution that if you do decide to try it yourself only perform it once every 4 - 6 weeks so and it can hurt.

Just throwing that out there for you to research and decide.

Those don't work. They cause acute inflammation that hides stretch marks and wrinkles and plumps up skin for a short period. Most places that do it use hyaloronic acid to help the device glide over the skin. The needles push the HA into the dermis. The HA is hydrophilic and draws water into the dermis, making it thicker and more even over scars.

Basically, it's technologically advanced smoke and mirrors.

Laser treatments produce underwhelming results. I don't know of a single reputable physician in the U.S. who offers laser for stretch marks because they just don't work.

Dermaroller does work on stretch marks. Home rollers won't. They don't penetrate deep enough. It is a long process and multiple treatments are needed.

The clinic I work at has treated ample patients with this treatment who don't have stretch marks coming back. It just takes time and money and patience.

I just ignore mine. They aren't a big thing in the grand scheme of things.

aimeerace wrote: »

pollypocket1021 wrote: »

RenaTX wrote: »

Have you read about microneedling / microrollers ? If you don't mind some pain it may be helpful.

I just wanted to throw that out there in case it's something you would be interested to know and read up on. I use one but I do not have use mine for scars however when I first started researching them and the process it was receiving great reviews on acne scars and stretch marks.

You can have this done professionally but you can also buy microneedle rollers on Amazon. I use one on my face after doing the research and watching youtube videos.

Just a word of caution that if you do decide to try it yourself only perform it once every 4 - 6 weeks so and it can hurt.

Just throwing that out there for you to research and decide.

Those don't work. They cause acute inflammation that hides stretch marks and wrinkles and plumps up skin for a short period. Most places that do it use hyaloronic acid to help the device glide over the skin. The needles push the HA into the dermis. The HA is hydrophilic and draws water into the dermis, making it thicker and more even over scars.

Basically, it's technologically advanced smoke and mirrors.

Laser treatments produce underwhelming results. I don't know of a single reputable physician in the U.S. who offers laser for stretch marks because they just don't work.

Dermaroller does work on stretch marks. Home rollers won't. They don't penetrate deep enough. It is a long process and multiple treatments are needed.

The clinic I work at has treated ample patients with this treatment who don't have stretch marks coming back. It just takes time and money and patience.

I just ignore mine. They aren't a big thing in the grand scheme of things.

I have seen many offices that specialize in Dermatology and Cosmetic Surgery that offer dermarolling AND laser treatment for scars.

The dermarollers they use have larger needles and the damage the cause is more... bloody than you could do at home. But i have seen many before/afters with good results even up to 1 year later.

As someone who has had 4 laser treatments for facial veins (YAG 1064NM "cool touch" laser and Pulse Dye Laser) and spent thousands of dollars, i still have unsatisfactory results. I can't say though that it wouldn't work well for stretch marks.

http://www.realself.com/stretch-marks-treatment

It seems like reviews are mixed but there are a ton of before/after and even reviews on cosmetic surgery above.

Other than that, your only option is to give it time and hope they fade to a lighter shade and deal with them.

ETA: By the way, the type of laser for skin resurfacing they use is pretty dang harsh. That's all i gotta say.

I have extensive stretch marks all over my body. I got the ones on my breasts, legs, bottom and hips from puberty at age 12. I got more on my stomach and arms from weight gain. The ones on my hips were so large and dark when I was young (I have an extreme pear shape) that people used to ask me what happened or what was wrong (they looked brutal!)

Now I've just learned to live with them. Most women have them and some men too. It's just part of being human. I promise that learning to love your body will bring you more peace and happiness then expensive creams or surgeries to treat something that's completely natural.

eta: they do fade over time but they are scars. They will be there forever.

I've said this before, but why do you never see celebrity mums with stretch marks? I understand they can photo shop them out in pictures in magazines etc
But what about on TV?? Surely they can't photo shopesque them out on there?? It's obviously not that they are immune to stretch marks, or have they In fact found something to prevent or get rid of them??

christinev297 wrote: »

I've said this before, but why do you never see celebrity mums with stretch marks? I understand they can photo shop them out in pictures in magazines etc
But what about on TV?? Surely they can't photo shopesque them out on there?? It's obviously not that they are immune to stretch marks, or have they In fact found something to prevent or get rid of them??

Good expensive camouflage cream. There are also Airbrushing make up kits now on the market that make it easier to apply more evenly.

A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

christinev297 wrote: »

I've said this before, but why do you never see celebrity mums with stretch marks? I understand they can photo shop them out in pictures in magazines etc
But what about on TV?? Surely they can't photo shopesque them out on there?? It's obviously not that they are immune to stretch marks, or have they In fact found something to prevent or get rid of them??

Personally, I'm not interested in looking at half-naked women with or without stretch marks, whether in magazines or on television, hah!

kikichewie wrote: »

My dermatologist recommends Mederma for reducing scars, and I think they have a version for stretch marks. But it's expensive, and I wouldn't bother with it without checking with your dermatologist first. (Ask about it when you do your annual skin cancer screening, which is covered by most insurance, I think.) Just don't ask a regular general practitioner. They're not experts in everything. And don't ask a cosmetic dermatologist that will try to sell you snake oil.

Nope. Most insurances do not cover it, at least not in the US.

Also olive oil helps. It does nothing for existing stretch marks but it may prevent new ones by improving skin elasticity.