Stretch Marks

Does Exfoliation Help Eliminate Stretch Marks

October 4th, 2008 Subscribe To Our Feed

For those affected by those angry red and purple stretch marks, the fight against these skin defects has become paramount and there is precious little that they won’t do to rid themselves of the unsightly marks. Some are satisfied to just lessen their visibility, but the ultimate goal is to eliminate stretch marks totally.

The absolute method for ridding yourself of stretch marks is a surgical solution. However, the best stretch mark solution is to just prevent them from forming. Yet in those times when even prevention did not completely put a stop to the formation of the stretch marks, treatment is all that is left.

Many home remedies and magic cures have developed around the fight against stretch marks. But while all these salves, lotions, home made creams, and commercially available treatments are marketed as the absolute stretch mark treatment, they generally all have one thing in common — exfoliation.

What Does Exfoliation Involve?

In a nutshell, exfoliation is a process commonly used during regular skin care and maintenance. But beware – too much of a good thing can backfire with dire consequences. In order to ensure that you understand exfoliation and stretch marks, their relationship, and the proper methodology of the former, here are some fast facts you do not want to be without:

- In broad terms, exfoliation is quite simply a way to remove dead skin cells that are still adjoined to the live skin cells. What this means is that only the outer most surface of the skin is being affected and removed during the exfoliation process. The goal of exfoliation in the removal of stretch marks is to permit, and promote, the live skin to be displayed in its totality, rather than being obscured by the dead skin cells. It is this live, energized skin that is actually healthier looking and provides that “glow” so often associated with pregnant women.

- The exfoliation process may be enhanced with the assistance of chemical agents, such as, commercially available scrubs made from a wide variety of fruit enzymes mixed with citric acid and oatmeal extracts. This process may also rely on the use of a scrubbing agent, such as a loofah, a pumice stone, or a home made scrub made from kosher salt.

Exfoliation - Beneficial for Numerous Skin Conditions

Exfoliation can greatly improve skin conditions that are known to be aggravated by dead skin cells, e.g. acne, black heads, pimples, and even ingrown hairs. Unfortunately, the process has a very limited effect on stretch marks. The reason being is that the visible stretch marks are nestled into the dermis, or the deeper layer of the skin and this layer is not affected by the exfoliation process directly.

Using a quality stretch mark product in conjunction with exfoliation can have a dramatic effect on the appearance of your stretch marks. Even though the stretch marks are indirectly affected by proper exfoliation, the combination of a stretch mark removal cream and exfoliation can lessen their appearance. The healthier looking skin surrounding the stretch mark helps fade stretch marks to the point where they actually blend in with the healthier skin tissue.

Also, the fact that stretch marks naturally fade, the healthier looking skin will appear even more consistent with the damage skin and can even provide the illusion of stretch marks disappearing, which is not really the case. One word of caution is in order here - improper or excessive exfoliation will irritate the sensitive skin, thus creating a skin condition that will display the stretch marks more clearly. So, don’t be in too big a hurry to eliminate stretch marks. A measured and consistent approach to stretch mark treatment will ensure that you experience a positive result without aggravating the skin you intend to repair.