Stretch Marks

Can An Anti-Stretch Mark Cream Get These Results?

September 10th, 2009 Subscribe To Our Feed

This is always a problem when it comes to evaluating anti-stretch mark cream products - can you believe the manufacturer’s claims. This is why we evaluate the products we recommend based on independent feedback from reputable product evaluation sites like epinions, forums, and even Amazon.

We came across this video that displays stretch mark pictures before and after treatment. The results are pretty dramatic considering that anti-stretch mark creams can only fade stretch marks, not actually remove stretch marks. You be the judge if these seem a little too good to be true!

Another one of our partner websites provides unbiased stretch mark cream reviews for many of our recommended products. If you have a spare minute, check them out at www.stretchmarkcreamindex.com and see if you don’t agree that real consumer feedback is the best indicator of the effectiveness of these products.

All About Stretch Marks

June 27th, 2009 Subscribe To Our Feed

Stretch marks are formed when your body grows faster than your skin or extends farther than your skin can stretch. Other names for stretch marks are striae rubra, striae distensae, striae atrophicans, and striae alba. Other factors that can increase your chances of getting stretch marks include growth spurts, pregnancy, rapid weight gain and bodybuilding. There are also reports that heavy use of topical corticosteroid creams can cause stretch marks. Those with Cushing’s Syndrome may develop stretch marks as a result of extra adrenal cortical processes.

The Appearance Of Stretch Marks

Stretch marks appear on the skin as long, narrow abnormalities. Stretch marks are red when they first show up, but over time, they gradually take on a light silvery color. In some people, the stretch marks can be roughly 10 millimeters wide, although they are typically thinner than that and no more than a few centimeters in length each. If they appear to be of the wide variety, or if they appear on the face, there is a good chance that your stretch marks are the result of Cushing’s Syndrome or topical corticosteroids. Teen stretch marks ordinarily fade away after a long time.

The Treatment Of Stretch Marks

Treatments for stretch marks such as creams and lotions, oils, chemical peels, dermabrasion, laser surgery, topical retinoid therapy and pulse dye laser therapy are choices available to you if you wish your reduce stretch marks and have them become less evident.

Contrary to popular notion about stretch marks, children and men, as well as women, can develop stretch marks. Any person who gains weight or increases in size quickly is likely to develop stretch marks.

If you want to prevent stretch marks, observe proper health care. Drinking lots of water and getting daily exercise are essential to your health. A healthy diet is another essential factor of being healthy and contributes a lot to making the skin healthy and elastic. Avoid drugs, including such common drugs as alcohol, caffeine, and tobacco.

Vitamin E, which is mostly thought to be good for any skin health issue, is also thought to be beneficial when put on to stretch marks. Apply Vitamin E onto the stretch marks daily for several months if you wish to fade stretch marks. Many of the better stretch mark products, like Revitol Stretch Mark Cream, are formulated with this skin-strengthening vitamin.

Are Treatments Covered By Insurance?

Unfortunately, medical treatments for stretch marks are commonly not covered by health insurance companies. Stretch marks are viewed as a cosmetic condition, so they are subject only to nonessential nonmandatory treatments. So OTC stretch marks cream products that are recommended by a pharmacist are probably the best affordable treatment option for you. In general, these treatments eliminate the dead skin cells, thereby regenerating the skin cells and encouraging new skin growth.

Preventing Stretch Marks Is Easier Than Treating Them

June 7th, 2009 Subscribe To Our Feed

Besides, stretch marks are another thing that many of us will not welcome with open arms. Muscle gain, weight gain and pregnancy can all cause stretch marks. Stretch marks are basically torn dermis (or skin) or skin that has lost its elasticity. Stretch marks can be prevalent among some people and not be a major problem with some. What is known is that you cannot actually tell if you will only have very minor stretch marks or be unfortunate as to have those unappealing red or purple marks on your stomach, buttocks, thighs or calves. There are ways to prevent stretch marks during pregnancy or at other times of rapid weight change, and you’ll be better off doing these things that can help your skin remain resilient since you can’t really forecast the severity of stretch marks you will have.

Observe these five things for preventing stretch marks and you can are apt to minimize the chances of stretch marks appearing on your body.

1. Maintain a well-hydrated skin by taking in no less than 8 glasses of water each day. When you keep your body well-hydrated every day, your body will benefit greatly and reward you with skin that is elastic and less likely to get stretch marks.

2. Caffeine and nicotine have a drying effect on the skin so stay away from them. Try to cut back on your caffeine consumption and cigarette smoking if you just can’t kick these habits. These two things can cause drying up and leave your skin dry and less stretchable.

3. It’s a good idea to begin incorporating the following in your daily diet: green vegetables (the leafy kind), dairy products, nuts, and seeds. Vitamin K and zinc are found in these foods. Vitamin K and zinc are vital nutrients for keeping the skin healthy as they help sustain the elasticity of the skin.

4. Applying creams for stretch marks is one way to start attending to your skin. Numerous stretch marks cream products are available in the market and they have been found to work well on the skin. It’s a good idea to begin practicing a nightly ritual of putting on the best stretch mark cream, like Revitol Stretch Mark Cream, on those stretch mark prone areas of your body.

5. Keep your exposure to the sun and wind to a minimum. These two elements can dry out your skin.

When it comes to taking care of the skin, the old adage, “An ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure,” is true. Keep in mind that once they appear on your body, stretch marks are there to stay the rest of your life; stretch marks are incurable, and you can only do so much so that they don’t look too obvious or visible anymore. The best course of action is to anticipate the problem and do things to keep the problem from occurring. So while those unattractive stretch marks haven’t come out on your body yet, don’t wait to begin taking precautions. Remember that simply applying stretch mark cream prevention on your skin every night doesn’t work on its own to prevent those stretch marks from appearing; you will need to adopt a lifestyle that will minimize their appearance or impact.