Divas Skincare Blog » Stretch Marks

Genetics and Stretch Marks

admin — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 18:32:10 +0000

Stretch mark is a kind of scarring on the skin characterized by an off hue colour. It is also called stria. This is caused by the extensive stretching of the dermis resulting to decreased elasticity. The epidermis also stretches, becoming translucent making the reddish-purple stretch marks visible.
Stretch marks at first appear as reddish or purple lines. They gradually change to a lighter color and appearance through time.

Areas of the body commonly affected by stretch marks include the abdomen, especially the navel, breasts, underarms, back, upper arms, thigh, buttocks and the hips. These areas usually store large amounts of fat. Stretch marks pose no health risks and do not affect the normal functions of the body.

Those who are prone to stretch marks are based on their genetic make-up. Genetics plays a big role in determining the likelihood of getting stretch marks. There is a pronounced deficiency of protein and DNA within the skin and accompanied by slow repair of the stretch dependent skin injuries. If either your mother or father had stretch marks, there is a big chance that you will have one in the future.

A study has revealed that glucocorticoids play a role in acquiring stretch marks. Cortisol, a glucocorticoid, once elevated induces the body to gain weight. Cortisol is only released when a person is stressed out. Causes that create stress include pregnancy, growth spurts, and body building. High cortisol levels triggers the body to store fat easily. This will eventually lead to weight gain in a short span of time, thus stretch marks can develop.

Rapid stretching of your skin is associated with pregnancy, puberty, weight gain or loss and body building. During pregnancy, there is rapid skin stretching due to the growing fetus. With increased hormonal levels, stretch marks start to become visible during the third trimester. About 75-90% of pregnant women develop stretch marks. A large increase in weight or weight gain also causes extensive stretching of your skin. Avoid gaining weight in a rapid manner, in doing so; the skin stretches continuously until it breaks. The result is the formation of stretch marks. During puberty, where there is a growth spurt, the skin is also rapidly stretched. Body builders and weight lifters are also prone to develop stretch marks. Their trainings and work outs results to muscle build-up in a fast manner, eventually stretching of the skin.

There are many products and ways to reduce or prevent the formation of stretch marks. Moisturizing the skin with products that encourage the formation of collagen is widely used today. Hydration is also important. Drinking plenty of water to be hydrated is a must. Exercise is also important. It helps in toning the muscles and helps the skin firm up. Your diet should also be taken into consideration, chose foods rich in protein and vitamin C and E. Body creams such as cocoa butter and also olive oil are being used. Stretch marks tend to lighten through time; however it cannot be completely removed.

How Do You Get Stretch Marks?

How Can a Cream Remove and or Reduce Stretch Marks?

admin — Wed, 15 Sep 2010 21:24:43 +0000

Are Stretch Mark Creams Really Effective? Read more to find out:

Stretch marks result when your skin tissue is suddenly stretched usually as a result of rapid weight gain or weight loss, including pregnancy. Teenagers may also experience stretch marks when they have growth spurts. Regardless of the cause of the stretch mark, they can be difficult to remove, or even fade. The skin can expand without a resulting stretch mark, but only when the growth is slow. The elastin and collagen which binds the skin together will tear if the growth occurs too rapidly. This tearing results in the stretch mark.

For predictable growth spurts such as pregnancy, a stretch mark cream can be used to prevent the stretch mark. It has been found that when stretch mark creams are used daily from the beginning of pregnancy, stretch marks can be prevented or greatly diminished. The cream gives the skin some extra collagen to assist in the expansion.

At the beginning of your pregnancy, start a daily regimen of administering a stretch mark cream to your stomach and abdomen. Be careful to cover the area completely, applying the cream with more pressure than normal. This extra pressure allows for greater absorption of the cream. The more cream that is absorbed, the greater elasticity your skin will have. The goal is to give your skin this extra elasticity to handle the inevitable stretching that will occur in your pregnancy.

Even if you are six months pregnant and have not yet used any stretch mark creams, it is still a good idea to start using one. At this point a stretch mark may be inevitable, but the cream will help reduce the severity of the mark. It is much easier to prevent the stretch mark, then to get rid of one, once it occurs. Any help you give your skin to enhance its elasticity will help in the long run.

Once stretch marks occur, they are difficult to fade or eliminate. The stretch mark is evident because that part of your skin lacks in pigmentation. It especially becomes pronounced when tanning. The stretch marks will stay the same color, and the other areas of your skin will get darker, further enhancing your stretch mark. The use of a fake tanning cream will blend it in with your skin, but this is only temporary, your stretch mark is still there.

The skin has natural repair capability, but it will take a long time for a stretch mark to fade. The best stretch mark cream on the market can accelerate this process. The stretch mark creams contain ingredients which help blend your skin together. Administering the cream daily with great pressure to enhance absorption, will allow your skin to slowly repair itself. The cream acts as a sort of putty, filling in the gaps of the pigmentation in your skin, and eventually results in blending of your skin, giving it a smoother appearance. Depending upon the severity of the stretch mark, the cream will help remove or at least greatly fade the stretch mark.

Latest Stretch Mark Removal Therapies

admin — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 18:48:02 +0000

Stretch marks occur when the dermis layer of tissue is stretched too rapidly and is not properly suited to handle such a stretch. A stretch mark is actually a scar deep within the tissue, and can be caused by a number of events like pregnancy, puberty, or any type of rapid growth.

It is safe to say that these scars are the bane of every woman’s existence and many of us would, or already have, dipped into our retirement funds to find a product or procedure that can erase these dermal layer scars. The problem is this fact has lead to the development of some very expensive, yet sometimes ineffective treatments, which boast false claims of total reversal. Lets go ahead and address the elephant in the room, stretch marks are difficult to treat, and any treatment you choose is going to take time and determination. Even the more invasive stretch mark removal procedures require subsequent visits to completely fade the mark, and no cream is ever going to “cure” you overnight!

That said lets take an in-depth look at the procedures and treatments available to help you decide which treatment is best for you. From where I stand there are four basic options available; natural treatments, laser treatments, surgical procedures, and other dermatological procedures. Other than these four things, there is time and sun bathing which aren’t really options for most of us because of the skin damage associated with sun bathing, and the unrealistic amount of time it takes for a stretch mark to fade naturally. The first treatment we will discuss is the natural approach.
Natural treatment is by far the most popular of all four treatments because it is the cheapest and least invasive. Natural treatments include the use of creams and serums, and the reason we call it natural is because the greater majority of the creams and serums on the market work with your body to speed the natural process of filling in and covering over the scars. Some of the creams on the market are quite effective at what they are created to do. However, some of these creams are nothing the more than foot cream, and they are useless at diminishing the appearance of stretch marks. Choosing a cream to diminish the appearance of your stretch marks can prove to be a daunting task because the market is so extremely flooded with creams that claim to “cure” your stretch marks.

Choosing a cream should be a well thought out and researched decision, so you don’t get scammed into buying an eighty dollar tube of foot lotion. But you must remember that researching on the internet can be quite tricky because many of the “stretch mark cream reviews” are sales gimmicks. Currently there are a few creams on the market that hold the top spot for popularity and effectiveness; they are Revitol, StriVectin-SD, and Trilastin-SR. These products are commonly suggested by doctors and surgeons as treatments for stretch marks and wrinkles because of their proven effectiveness. Because these creams have been endorsed by doctors and plastic surgeons, and are so effective, it should come as no surprise that these particular creams cost around $70.00 to $140.00 a bottle. However, cost in comparison to the next treatment, these creams are quite reasonable.

Moving on….
Laser treatments are a relatively new option in the fight against stretch marks, only becoming approved by the FDA in 2002. There are mixed reviews about the effectiveness of this procedure. On mild to moderate stretch marks the procedure seems to produce amazing results. However, when faced with severe stretch marks the laser seems to be lacking the ability to completely fade it. Nearly all reports state that the laser’s effectiveness is patient specific, meaning that each person will respond differently and the outcome does vary from person to person. This is because there are several factors to consider; the size of the stretch mark, the severity of the stretch mark, and the age of the stretch mark. Only a dermatologist will be able to tell you if he or she thinks that the procedure will help your specific case.

The laser used to remove stretch marks is not your average run of the mill laser. This laser does not cut or burn, like the lasers of the past, it actually disintegrates scar tissue using a beam of ultraviolet light. Once the old scar tissue has been obliterated the new, scar free, tissue will form; thus removing the old stretch mark. Completely removing your stretch marks will take anywhere between 6 to12 sessions, and these sessions are typically priced between $300 to $700.00 a session; depending on your physicians fees. From what I have found average overall price is about $2800.00 to $3000.00.
Surgical procedures are the oldest and most conventional way to rid your stomach of stretch marks. However, this procedure is limited to one specific area of the body; beneath the navel. Since stretch marks occur on the buttocks, breast, thighs and arms, as well as the stomach this procedure is not an ideal procedure for those individuals who have stretch marks scattered through out the body. A tummy tuck is the procedure that plastic surgeons use to tighten the abdomen and remove excess skin, as well as remove stretch marks. While this procedure is extremely effective at removing stretch marks from under the belly button, it also very invasive and requires a lot of recuperation, AND it is not recommended to have a tummy tuck to specifically remove stretch marks…it is just an added benefit.

Other Treatments include those performed by a licensed professional cosmetic dermatologist. These cosmetic dermatologists perform non-surgical procedures in their office everyday. As a matter of fact many of the procedures used to remove stretch marks are often used on other areas of the body like the face, one such procedure is a chemical peel; another is Microdermabrasion, and lastly blue light therapy. Usually these procedures are used to treat wrinkles, age spots, or acne. However, when you think about it becomes quite logical that they would work just as well for stretch marks.

Chemical peels use chemicals at different strengths to peel off the top layers of damaged, dead skin and activate new skin cell production. This is basically the same premise as stretch mark cream, except super charged to jump start the regeneration process.
Microdermabrasion is bascially the same thing as a chemical peel except with out the chemicals. During microdermabrasion fine crystals are blasted at your skin to remove the outermost layer of dead skin, and improve the over all appearance of your skin.
Blue light therapy is typically used for treatment of acne, and is used to slightly reduce the appearance of the stretch marks. This works on the same lines as tanning.

These treatments vary greatly in cost from practitioner to practitioner, and are not typically thought of as the most effective form of treatment for stretch marks. However, they have been shown to reduce the appearance slightly, and improve the appearance of skin over all. Choosing a procedure or treatment for your stretch marks is completely up to you, but, should you choose a surgical procedure you must know that they should only be considered if you are in optimum health. No matter what you choose always remember that beauty radiates from the inside out!

Is it Normal for Men and Boys to Develop Stretch Marks?

admin — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 22:46:57 +0000

Absolutely! Men and boys may actually be more susceptible to stretch marks than women for a variety of reasons. Women tend to use sweet smelling soap that has a moisturizer included, while the greater majority of men would not be caught dead using a moisturizer let alone a “girly soap”. Fact is your skin knows no gender and when placed under pressure will essentially crack, causing a stretch mark. This is even more likely to happen if your skin is not adequately moisturized!

Moisturizing your skin is essential for men and women alike. Finding a moisturizer that is manly enough should be easy, not all lotions and moisturizing soaps smell like a field of wild flowers! Also, young boys are more likely to become dehydrated due to sports and soft drinks, and this too plays a major role in the development of stretch marks in men and boys. Ensuring that your body is hydrated from the inside out is just as important as applying a moisturizer. So you must be sure to drink water and plenty of it, usually 6-8 glasses a day. However, I realize that the busy schedule of a teenage boy will make this request somewhat difficult, so just be sure to drink as much WATER as possible…specially if you play sports!

The idea that stretch marks are thought of as a female affliction really makes me chuckle at times, this is because the hormones that are thought to make conditions more favorable for the production of stretch marks are typically higher in a males than a females. These hormones are called Glucocorticoids; basically these are a whole group of steroid based hormones. These hormones are present in a woman’s body, but they are more prevalent in a man’s. Researchers have linked the over production of stretch marks, and the under production to collagen to high levels of these hormones. Combine high levels of these hormones, dehydration, and dry skin, and you have a recipe for disaster! There is one more reason why boys and men are typically more susceptible to developing stretch marks, and that is rate of growth.

During puberty boys tend to go from boys to men in a very short period of time, sometimes in a matter of months. This rapid rate of growth in the arms, legs, and trunk area of the body places a great strain on the skin, thus leading to the development of the stretch mark. Sometimes preventing these stretch marks is impossible, but moisturizing and keeping yourself adequately hydrated will keep the marks minimal. Men on the other hand generally develop stretch marks due to rapid muscle development, or a sudden weight gain, either way same rules apply to men as boys…moisturize and drink plenty of water! No matter what, remember that stretch marks are very common in men, and although they don’t talk about it chances are all your friends have them to some extent themselves!

Do Stretch Mark Creams Really Prevent Stretch Marks?

Latest Breakthroughs on Stretch Mark Removal Procedures

admin — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 22:45:49 +0000

Not so long ago if a man or woman developed stretch marks they were simply stuck with them. Unless they wanted to have a full blown surgical procedure performed to cut out the section of skin with the stretch mark on it, there was nothing that could be done. Now days however, there have been numerous medical breakthroughs in laser surgery for several procedures, including the removal of stretch marks. Medical advancements have made it so that many of these procedures have little to no side effects. Older treatments with lasers were not near as effective as the lasers in place now days.

The newest lasers that are used in the effort to eliminate the marks on your body were actually intended for a completely different purpose. The excimer laser is almost exactly the same as the laser used in Lasik eye corrective surgery. This tiny laser was employed to obliterate stretch marks, and other skin blemishes, in 2002 and is much more effective, less painful, and has a lesser incidence of side effects than the lasers previously used. Unlike any other lasers in use the excimer laser does not burn or cut the skin, it uses a specially concentrated ultra violet ray of light that disrupts the molecular bonds in the stretch mark. After the procedure the area may be tender and red, although this will fade within days.

Each case is of course different but typically results are excellent, and stretch marks can be completely removed in only a few treatments. Although, doctors do warn that very bad stretch marks that are several years old may take longer to eliminate. However, if lasers don’t really sound like your kind of thing, there are also some newer treatments available by prescription that can aid in the battle of the stretch mark. These drugs are powerful topical treatments that contain drugs called tretinoin or isotretinoin, and are classified as a retinoid. These drugs promote the production of new collagen.

Even with all these advancements, there is much room for improvement in the area of stretch mark removal. Because many of the creams and other procedures on the market simply don’t work. Fact is right now the only way to rid your body of these marks is with the assistance of a plastic surgeon, and this is all too often out of reach for your everyday person. Hopefully one day in the very near future someone, somewhere, will come up with an effective, inexpensive, treatment that will either treat stretch marks, or completely prevent them!

Home Remedies for Stretch Marks

admin — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 22:44:34 +0000

When it comes to treating or preventing stretch marks there are no shortage of home remedies available to try. Every woman’s mother has told her at some point before, during, or after her pregnancy what she should do to treat or prevent stretch marks. Surprisingly, many of theses home remedies do work for women who use them, and often swear by them! Some of these techniques go back several decades, while others have only just emerged. So, what are these home remedies?

The first home remedy is quite possibly the oldest and most common remedy, and I might add that this remedy is great for everyday use to keep your skin soft and smooth, this remedy is…Baby oil/mineral oil. The application of baby oil directly after a bath or shower, but before you dry off, is most effective. This is because applying the oil directly to the wet skin locks in the moisture from the water. The next remedy works great as an add on with baby oil, or is effective enough to stand alone.

Coco Butter lotion, or better yet a coco butter stick, provides you with tons of moisture and works great as an ingredient to your own stretch mark lotion recipe. Tons of women have been using coco butter for the prevention of stretch marks, and many women are convinced it fades the mark after it has appeared. Yet another popular remedy is vitamin E oil or cream, and vitamin A. Vitamins E and A have long been known as a key component for healthy skin.

Creating your own stretch mark cream is very popular among women; this is a great alternative to buying the sometimes extremely expensive manufactured brands. These recipes are made up of all the most popular home remedy ingredients, and mixed together to get the best results available. They include:

• Olive oil
• Vitamin E
• Vitamin A
• Coco Butter

Sometimes coco butter is replaced by Aloe Vera; it just depends on your personal preference. This mixture is usually kept in the refrigerator; however, if the cold bothers you simply let it sit on the counter top. Last but not least, the newer remedies I have seen include the application of Emu oil, this can be bought at any drug store, and many people believe that this oil posses healing and analgesic properties.

The key to preventing stretch marks is to keep the skin healthy and hydrated. The application of any of the ingredients listed above is a very good idea; however, making sure that you stay hydrated is also extremely important. If your body is dehydrated your skin will dry out no matter how much you moisturize. Drink at least 6-8 glasses of water a day, pick a good remedy, and you should remain stretch marks free!!

What Treatments are Available to Remove Stretch Marks

admin — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 22:41:21 +0000

If stretch mark creams have left you wondering if you will ever have a streak free body again, and you have some extra money saved up, you may want to take a different approach to ridding your body of those unsightly marks. Creams and lotions are not the only option for those of us who have developed stretch marks from pregnancy, weight gain, or adolescence, there is another option that many people don’t know about…Cosmetic procedures.

Now, cosmetic procedures do not always mean having a portion of your body nipped, tucked, or taken off. Many specialized/cosmetic dermatologists can perform some common procedures in their office that are essentially pain free, in comparison to other cosmetic surgeries, and much more cost effective. These procedures include chemical peels, microdermabrasion, and blue light therapy. Similar to the cream, these non-surgical procedures are much more effective on new stretch marks and tend to have lesser effects on older marks. Also keep in mind that these non-surgical procedures will simply minimize the appearance of the marks…not eliminate them, for this you will need have cosmetic surgery.

Surgical procedures to remove stretch marks are obviously the most extreme of all mark removal procedures, and as with any surgical procedure should only be considered if you are in great health. Remember, stretch marks are a cosmetic concern, and in no way shape or form harmful to your health. The number one procedure performed to eliminate stretch marks is the surgical removal of the affected tissue, an example of this is a tummy tuck.
During this procedure the affected skin is cut off and the healthy, mark free skin, is pulled down and sewn in place. This procedure is a very serious procedure and shouldn’t really be performed solely for the purpose of removing stretch marks. As with any serious surgery, this surgery requires a lot of recovery time…usually about 6- 8 weeks depending on your specific condition and procedure.

A less invasive but equally successful procedure to remove stretch marks is with the use of a laser. Laser stretch mark removal has gained much popularity in the last decade, and can be performed at many cosmetic surgery centers across the country. During this procedure a laser beam is aimed directly at the mark and then turned on, at this time the laser begins to destroy the scar tissue that makes up a stretch mark. Directly after the procedure the skin will be tender and very red, this is because new tissue is forming in place of the scar that was just obliterated. The only draw back of this procedure is that it can take as many as 10 treatments to successfully, and completely eliminate the scar. However, this is an extremely successful procedure and only very old, very bad, stretch marks have a tendency to need this many treatments.

If you are considering a cosmetic procedure for stretch mark removal you should of course research all your options, and then find a doctor…that you trust! Sit down with him or her, and they will gladly go over all your options and answer any questions you may have. What ever you do make sure the end result will make you happy, and allow you to feel great in your own skin again!

What is a Stretch Mark and How do They Happen

admin — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 22:40:00 +0000

A stretch mark, commonly called striae in the medical community, is a type of scarring on the skin that can occur anytime during life. To understand exactly what a stretch mark is, and how is occurs, you must first understand the make up of our tissue. Our skin is made up of two key components, collagen and elastin. These two ingredients are what allow us to grow and stretch, without collagen and elastin our skin would become hard and stiff with no elasticity. It is when the skin is stretched to its limit that the fibers break and the stretch mark occurs.

Although a stretch mark can technically occur at any time, it is most likely to occur during puberty or pregnancy. This is because hormones are thought to play a huge role in the development of stretch marks. There has been great speculation that high levels of certain hormones, such as glucocorticoids, can actually make your skin more susceptible to stretch marks, by decreasing the amount of collagen that the body produces, which is why pregnant women and adolescents are more prone to them.

Now, just because hormones are thought to play a role in the formation of stretch marks does not mean that ALL pregnant women or adolescents will develop them. Nor does it mean that if you develop stretch marks that your hormones are going crazy, it is simply a hypothesis at this time, and thought to make the conditions more favorable for a stretch mark to appear. Fact is that when constant pressure or stretching is placed on the skin the dermis layer of the skin will essentially crack under the pressure, creating the lovely stretch mark.

No one can tell you for sure if you will develop stretch marks, or at what point you will develop the stretch marks, all this depends greatly on your skin. Some individuals have more collagen and elastin which will make there skin more pliable, or stretchy. Where another may have a very small amount of these components and develop stretch marks very easily. Collagen and elastin also play a key role in aging, so predicting if you will develop stretch marks is about like trying to predict at what point you will develop wrinkles, it is just not possible. You can however, try to prevent stretch marks, and aging, by taking very good care of your self and your skin!

Can a Stretch Mark Cream Really Fade your Stretch Marks

admin — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 22:37:43 +0000

There is no shortage of products on the market that promise to eliminate, or fade, a woman’s stretch marks after pregnancy. However, with so many of these creams available which ones are the most effective, and do they work? The short answer to this question is that a stretch mark is a scar, and a scar never completely disappears, and the use of these creams will not change that fact. Although, using a cream to help fade the stretch mark, not eliminate it, can be helpful.

Any cream that claims to eliminate a stretch mark should be avoided as this is a false claim, and simply placed on the box to mislead you. Stretch mark prevention and correction is big business and should be treated as so. Nearly all of these products are costly, and should be researched thoroughly for effectiveness before deciding on one product. However, luckily for stretch mark sufferers everywhere totalbeauty.com has taken the guess work out of where to start. Totalbeauty.com conducted a study to find the most effective cream to minimize the appearance of stretch marks.

The study compared six of the most popular stretch mark creams on the market today, the test subjects were given a specific stretch mark cream, and ask to use as directed for 8 weeks. Not surprisingly none of the stretch marks creams eliminated the marks, but many of the women did report a significant change in the appearance of the stretch marks. You can read the results of this study by clicking here. The results may surprise you!

Dermatologists agree that stretch mark creams will not eliminate a stretch mark once it appears. Although, several have stated that using a stretch mark cream, with the correct ingredients, can aid in fading the appearance of these scars. No matter how much it costs, or how popular it is, using a stretch mark cream that contains vitamins A, E, C, Alpha hydroxy, and tiger’s herb will help the skin produce collagen and elastin, as well as improve circulation. This in turn, theoretically, should improve the appearance of the stretch mark.

However, it is important for you to know that stretch marks will fade over time on their own, and the use of these products is in no way necessary. Not using a stretch mark cream will not alter the end result, once the stretch mark appears it is not going to change other than to fade overtime. In other words using a stretch mark cream will only speed up the body’s normal process… if that. Also, keep in mind that just because one product showed promising results for one person, that does not mean that it will work for you. Give your favorite product a try for 6-8 weeks if the product seems to work stick with it, if it is lacking in the results category, find another!!

What Ingredients Should I Look for When Buying Stretch Mark Cream

admin — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 22:35:30 +0000

When it comes to buying a stretch mark cream ingredients are extremely important. The reason that stretch mark cream is so controversial is because there are so many out there that make outrageous claims of a cure to their common occurrence. And while a stretch mark cream can help prevent, or minimize the appearance of a stretch mark, nothing is a guarantee. One way to ensure that you get the maximum amount of benefits out of your investment is to ensure that the product contains all the components needed to help prevent or minimize the stretch mark.

The prevention of stretch marks should be you first concern when finding out you are pregnant, or for that matter during adolescence, body building, or any type of rapid weight gain. This is because these are the times that a stretch mark will occur. Stretch marks occur when the body goes through a sudden growth that places strain on the tissue fibers, when the tissue fibers break the stretch marks appears. The goal of the stretch mark prevention cream is to keep the skin hydrated and encourage the production of collagen and elastin. It is the active ingredients in the cream that promotes this process.

So, what are the ingredients?

Common ingredients that are effective at promoting the production of collagen and elastin, there by preventing a stretch mark are:

• Vitamin A (aka Retinol)
• Vitamin E
• Vitamin C
• Alpha hydroxy
• And Tiger’s herb

Now, just because a product does not contain all of the above ingredients does not make ineffective. As long as the product contains some of these ingredients it should be effective. However, just be sure it is a great idea to alternate. Many of these products recommend applying it several times daily, so use the actual product in the morning, then in the afternoon use a great moisturizer that has a lot to offer such as coco butter, and then at night use the stretch mark cream again. This will ensure that your body is well moisturized and that no vitamin or mineral is left out!

Basically the same ingredients are needed to fade the stretch mark as are needed to prevent it. No product, I repeat, No product is going to eliminate stretch marks! Stretch marks are scars in the dermis layer of your skin, therefore they are a permanent fixture unless you opt for some sort of surgical procedure. However, some of these creams that promote the production of collagen and elastin have proven effective at reducing their appearance. These products can be quite expensive so I would highly suggest researching the product, ingredients, and reputation before purchasing.