Watch Out For These Supposed Stretch Mark Cures
October 3rd, 2008 Subscribe To Our Feed
The unsightly stretch mark is a reality that knows no boundaries, including race, age, sex or country of origin. The fight against stretch marks is truly global! The sad part is that the battle against stretch marks will rage on until a miracle stretch mark cure is discovered that will eradicate these unsightly marks.
But fear not, literature and advise related to skin conditions is brimming with tips on how to prevent stretch marks and how to eliminate stretch marks if they do develop. While much has been written about the subject, even more is being sold in the name of avoiding and treating stretch marks.
Some Stretch Mark Treatments are Quite Effective
The truth is that many stretch mark treatments are quite effective at reducing the appearance of stretch marks. This is not so much because of a miracle ingredient, but rather due to the fact that a stretch mark sufferer is applying a daily moisturizer or cream to the skin and hopefully exfoliating the damaged area a few times a week.
Beware These Stretch Mark Cures
The problem is that several other supposed stretch mark cures were never meant to be used for this skin condition and are often packaged and sold as the latest, greatest cures. One example is that of pearl powder — a substance that is often tied to claims of healing that are simply not supported by any modern scientific research. The origin is China and often it is hawked as a traditional and mysterious ingredient in many secret skin potions that supposedly increases the porcelain beauty of many an empress. However, in its purest form, you will find that pearl powder is little more than a ground up powder made from fresh water pearls.
The supposed logic behind the claims is that pearl powder contains a number of amino acids, which in turn will promote healthy skin growth on the dermis level. Those unscrupulous marketers who prey on the uninformed sell this “mircle” cure in lotions, potions, and supplements. While it is true that cell renewal has been associated with amino acids, it is doubtful that the powder when ingested will actually provide the amino acids to your skin in the quantities needed. A topical application is shown to have a limited effect on increasing the supple appearance of the skin, but in now way will this powder make stretch marks disappear. Avoid this stretch mark scam!
Here is another product that is sometimes marketed as having a dual purpose. No doubt you have heard of the popular acne product, Proactiv. The primary ingredient in it is benzoyl peroxide. Depending on the concentration and your ability to tolerate it, Proactiv will act like a low impact chemical peel that will reveal healthy looking skin underneath. Unfortunately, Proactiv will not make stretch marks disappear. But the source of its mystery powers over stretch marks is that it can lessen their visibility by increasing the healthy appearance of the surrounding skin. A word of caution is warranted here — allergic reactions to benzoyl peroxide has been reported and have actually led to severe outbreaks, rashes, and in extreme cases, can lead to skin damage from excessive scratching and subsequent infections and scarring.
Witch hazel has been used for centuries and was commonplace in most people’s medicine cabinet. This substance is extracted from the witch hazel shrub and generally used to alleviate bruising and swelling, as well as, sores in related cases. It is a natural cleanser and has shown good results when used on acne. The unfortunate part is that none of these medicinal effects have any bearing on the outer layer of the skin. This is just another urban legend that supports this extract as one of the more effective stretch mark cures — not so!
Stick With Proven Stretch Mark Products
Your best bet is to stay with quality stretch mark cures that have proven themselves over time and can be supported with facts and strong testimonials from satisfied customers. Save your money and go with stretch mark products that can effectively fade stretch marks or have a track record of reducing the development of stretch marks during times of rapid growth, like pregnancy.
Technorati Tags: eliminate stretch marks, prevent stretch marks, stretch mark cure, stretch mark cures, stretch mark products
Related Tags: No Tags
Remove Stretch Marks with Care
September 23rd, 2008 Subscribe To Our Feed
Stretch marks are most common during puberty and pregnancy - times when the body undergoes rapid weight changes. But you may be wondering what exactly the cause of stretch marks are and how to remove stretch marks once they appear. In general, stretch marks are formed in those body areas that store large amounts of fat, and they occur in the dermis, the skin layer which determines its shape.
What are Stretch Marks?
Stretch marks are caused by actual tears in a thinned or technically atrophic skin, with fine dermal collagen bundles arranged in straight lines parallel to the surface. These marks are created by your own body to heal those tears. The fact is that stretch marks are really scar tissue created by the body to heal damage caused by expanding skin that is too thin.
Known by doctors as “striae” (usually “striae distensae” or, in the case of pregnancy , “striae gravidarum”) stretch marks typically appear after rapid weight gain or loss. They are most common during pregnancy and the teen years, when growth spurts and increased levels of steroid hormones cause significant changes throughout the body. Striae are most commonly located on the breasts, hips, thighs, buttocks, abdomen, and flank.
An interesting fact is that stretch marks are the most common types of skin lesions. Almost 90% of pregnant women get stretch marks. The good news is that stretch marks are totally normal and aren’t a medical concern.
Prevent Stretch Marks - Your First Line of Defense
However, a secret to prevent stretch marks from developing is to keep the skin moisturized during times of weight gain or loss. This will help reduce stretch marks and for those that do appear, fade faster. A process of exfoliation and massaging nutrient-rich natural oils such as wheatgerm, jojoba or vitamin E will help rid stretch marks from your susceptible areas.
The Art of Stretch Mark Removal
The act of massaging the stretch mark area is key and increases blood circulation to the affected area, also assisting the healing process. Exfoliation of the area will also help remove dead skin cells and allow the stretch mark removal cream to penetrate deeper into the damaged skin. A word of caution is warranted though - be careful not to overdo with the exfoliation as it may cause your already damaged skin to become extremely sensitive. Moderation is the key to helping remove stretch marks permanently!
Technorati Tags: prevent stretch marks, remove stretch marks, stretch mark removal cream, striae
Related Tags: No Tags
Barmon Stretch Mark Cream Summer Sale
August 26th, 2008 Subscribe To Our Feed
We usually don’t advertise product sales for our reviewed stretch mark products, but this sale was just too good to keep a secret. We found Barmon stretch mark cream to be an economical method for fading your existing stretch marks (or as a way to prevent stretch marks) safely and effectively at the regular price.
But if you act fast, you can purchase Barmon Stretch Mark Cream at drastically reduced prices from their normal price tag. Usually selling for around $30 for a 4 ox. tube, they are conducting a “Summer Sale” at only $15.95 per tube on all orders of 2 or more tubes of their stretch mark remover product. We don’t know how long this sale will last on this great product, but summer is almost over and the company could pull the sale price at any time.
Their “Free Shipping” offer on all orders over $30 is still in effect and makes this sale even more attractive. Check out this limited time offer at: Barmon® Stretch Mark Cream and, while you’re at the website, take a look at the 100’s of testimonials for this effective stretch mark removal product.
Technorati Tags: barmon stretch mark cream, stretch mark product, stretch mark remover
Related Tags: No Tags
