When skin is over stretched, stretch marks are formed. They can appear after growth spurts, during and after pregnancy and due to excessive weight gain and weight loss. They normally develop around the thighs, hips, abdomen, breast and upper arms.

Experts claim that stretch marks also have a strong genetic component. What this basically means is that if your parents have them, then it's highly likely that you will too, however, you can take steps to prevent or treat them.

Prevention is a simple method that should be applied to stretch marks that are caused due to weight gain or pregnancy. The idea here is basically to gain and lose weight gradually to keep the skin from being pushed passed its limits. You can also accompany this type of treatment with special creams that can help make the skin more elastic.

Unfortunately, preventing stretch marks due to growth spurts isn't as easy as preventing stretch marks due to weight fluctuations. In this case, your best bet is covering up the striae with make up or clothing.

The Best Options for Stretch Mark Removal

There are two alternatives when it comes to choosing a stretch mark removal option: non-invasive methods and surgical intervention. The one you choose will depend on the results you are seeking. Surgery is the only real way of eliminate damaged skin for good, while non-invasive methods will help reduce the appearance of stretch marks without having to undergo the pains and costs associated with surgical interventions.

Non invasive methods include superficial alternatives like creams and microdermabrasion. Stretch mark balms are gentle and can safely help reduce the size and appearance of striae. However, before purchasing any type of stretch marks cream, make sure it contains the right ingredients.

Look for products that contain ingredients that can repair collagen and elastin. Both of these components are essential to healthy, unblemished skin. The basic idea behind these types of products is that they can help remove the damaged, scar tissue and help replace it with a healthy skin structure.

Ingredients such as retinol, neuropeptides, and Vitamin C are just a few products that can help promote the production of collagen. Ingredients such as cynergy TK and nano-lipobelle can help boost the production of collagen and elastin.

Avoid products that contain collagen. Collagen molecules are far too large to penetrate the skin pores. Purchasing these products will only be a waste of money.

A very popular option for stretch marks is microdermabrasion. This type of treatment helps remove the damaged layers of the skin and replace them with healthy skin cells. Microdermabrasion for stretch marks is normally part of a multi-session treatment.

This procedure is faster than most stretch marks creams, but is still quite slow.